Safeguarding Policy
Worried about a child right now?
Immediate danger: call 999. Sefton Children's Help and Advice Team (CHAT): 0151 934 4013. Out of hours: 0151 934 3555. You don't need to wait for us.
Our commitment
Coastline CrossFit is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child under 18. All children have the right to train safely, be heard, be respected and participate without abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination or bullying. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
We respond to concerns promptly, place children’s welfare first and cooperate with statutory safeguarding agencies.
Who this policy applies to
This policy applies to owners, coaches, employees, volunteers, contractors, visiting providers and anyone acting for Coastline in activities involving under-18s. It covers Kids (5–7 and 8–12), Teens, school groups, workshops, events, competitions and off-site activities.
Safeguarding contacts and urgent help
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Josh Womersley. Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Laura (Level 3 safeguarding training completed). Contact: info@coastline-crossfit.com. If a concern involves Josh, report it to Laura or directly to statutory safeguarding agencies.
Immediate danger: 999. Sefton Children’s Help and Advice Team (CHAT): 0151 934 4013. Sefton Emergency Duty Team (outside opening hours): 0151 934 3555. NSPCC: 0808 800 5000. Childline: 0800 1111.
You can contact social care or police directly; do not wait for Coastline management if a child needs urgent protection. Concerns about the safeguarding lead may be raised with the alternative contact, CHAT, police or Sefton LADO as appropriate.
Recognising and reporting concerns
Concerns may relate to physical, emotional or sexual abuse, neglect, domestic abuse, exploitation, online harm, child-on-child abuse, bullying, inappropriate coaching or adults breaching professional boundaries. Do not assume a concern is too minor to report.
Listen calmly, take the child seriously, avoid leading questions, never promise secrecy, record their words accurately and pass the concern promptly to the safeguarding lead. Never investigate yourself. If urgent, contact emergency services or children’s social care directly.
Safer recruitment and training
Coastline will assess suitability before assigning anyone to work with children, including identity, references, qualifications, safeguarding induction and appropriate DBS checks where the role is eligible. Barred-list checks must only be requested where legally permitted. Staff will receive role-appropriate safeguarding training and refreshers; records will be maintained.
Staff must know the reporting route, code of conduct and the expectations for responding to disclosures before working with children.
Coaching, physical contact and supervision
Sessions must be age-appropriate, planned, supervised and adapted to ability and needs. Coaches must use positive feedback and must not humiliate children or use exercise as punishment. Physical contact must be necessary for safe coaching, explained in advance, consented to and stopped if unwanted.
Children must not use free weights, racks, machines, boxes or gymnastics equipment without coach direction. Coaches manage access to the main training floor and mezzanine and separate children from unrelated adult training where needed. Avoid isolated one-to-one situations; use visible spaces and appropriate adult cover.
Coaching supervision and emergency cover are planned according to the age and needs of participants, activity risks and the layout of the facility. Sessions are adjusted or stopped if adequate supervision cannot be maintained.
Arrival, attendance, collection and missing children
A register and approved collection arrangements must be in place for Coastline-run sessions. A parent or authorised collecting adult must collect each child and receive a clear handover from the coach. Children must not leave unaccompanied unless a specific, documented age-appropriate arrangement has been authorised. Staff must act immediately if a child is missing, following the missing-child escalation procedure.
For school groups, the teacher manages the register, transport, pupil supervision arrangements and collection/handover. Coastline remains responsible for its coaching conduct, venue safety and safeguarding response.
Toilets, changing and personal care
Toilets and changing facilities are single-person use. Children and adults may access these facilities separately, never together. Privacy must be respected; no photography or recording is permitted. Coaches must maintain safe oversight without entering occupied facilities except where an emergency requires proportionate action.
Photography, filming and communication
Coastline does not permit filming in ordinary coached classes. Any authorised photography of children for events or promotion requires appropriate consent, a clear purpose and secure handling; refusal must be respected. No images in private areas. Coaches must use approved organisational channels, normally communicating with parents/carers rather than privately messaging children.
Allegations and low-level concerns about adults
Concerns about a coach or other adult must be reported immediately to the safeguarding lead or alternative senior contact. Where the Sefton LADO threshold may be met, seek LADO advice and inform the LADO within one working day; do not conduct an investigation that may compromise external enquiries. Sefton LADO: 0151 934 3783; safeguardingunitadmin@sefton.gov.uk.
Lower-level conduct concerns must also be documented and addressed. Where legal DBS referral conditions are met, Coastline will make the required referral.
Information sharing and records
Record concerns promptly, factually and securely, including date/time, people involved, exact words, action taken, referrals and outcomes. Separate facts from opinion. Restrict access to those who need it. Share information lawfully when necessary to safeguard a child; do not let data protection uncertainty prevent urgent protective action.
Equality and additional needs
Coastline welcomes children of all backgrounds and abilities. Staff will consider additional vulnerability, accessibility, communication needs and reasonable adjustments, and will listen to the child’s views.
Working with schools and partners
Before school visits or external sessions, agree supervision, emergency arrangements, health information, consent, arrival/collection, incident reporting and each organisation’s safeguarding contact. A teacher being present does not remove Coastline’s responsibilities.
Review and guidance
Policy owner: Coastline CrossFit. Designated Safeguarding Lead: Josh Womersley. Deputy: Laura (Level 3 safeguarding training completed). Policy date: 5 November 2026. Review at least annually and after significant incidents or guidance changes.
This policy draws on DfE out-of-school settings safeguarding guidance (February 2026), Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026, Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership arrangements and NSPCC Sport good practice. KCSIE 2026 is relevant to school partners but is not wholesale a statutory duty on a private gym.