Safeguarding Code Of Practice

All North Bristol Taekwondo instructors and assistant instructors are required to attend mandatory face to face Safeguarding training and complete an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) every 3 years.

We follow the P.U.M.A. Safeguarding Code Of Practice. This code covers detailed and specific safeguarding protocols.
A summary of the code is provided below. To see the full version, click here.
Parents, carers and students are strongly encouraged to read it.
Click for contact information for the P.U.M.A. Safeguarding Team.

Safeguarding information for parent and carers

Code of conduct for parents and carers
Note: Where we refer to ‘parents’ we mean parents and carers inclusively. The term ‘children’ or ‘child’ describes any person under the
age of 18.
As a parent of a child taking part in any P.U.M.A. activity, we’d like you to:
Make sure your child has the right kit for the session as well as enough food and drink.
Try to make sure your child arrives to sessions on time and is picked up promptly; or
let us know if you’re running late or if your child is going home with someone else.
Complete all consent, contact and medical forms and update us straight away if anything changes.
Make sure your child wears any protective kit we provide for them.
Maintain a good relationship with your child’s coach or trainer and catch up with them as often as you can.
Talk to us if you have any concerns about any part of your child’s involvement – we want to hear from you.
Take the time to talk to your child about what you both want to achieve through sport.

Try and learn about your child’s sport and what it means to them.
Remember that children get a wide range of benefits from participating in sport, like making friends, getting exercise and developing skills. It’s not all about wins and losses.
Ensure your child knows you’re proud of what they’re doing.
Think about how the way you react and behave effects not just your child but other children too.
Encourage your child to respect and celebrate difference in their pets and others.
Lead by example when it comes to positive behaviour on the side-lines; or let other parents take their cues from you, as well as from us.

P.U.M.A.
Safeguarding Code Of Practice

Accept the official’s judgment.
Use social media responsibly when talking about what goes on at our schools.
Be aware of the photography policy and abide by the ‘Open/Closed’ forum rules.
Talk to your child about embracing good etiquette and sportsmanship.
Encourage your child to play by the rules.
Ensure that your child understands their code of conduct including etiquette.
Listen when your child says they don’t want to do something.
Be familiar with who is the P.U.M.A. Designated Safeguard Lead and how to contact them if necessary.

As a parent of a child training with P.U.M.A. you have the right to…
Have full access to all our Safeguarding policies and procedures. These can be found on the P.U.M.A.
webpage by navigating to the Safeguarding section.
Be assured that your child is safeguarded during their time with us.
Know who the welfare officer/DSL responsible for your child is and have their contact details.
Be involved and contribute towards decisions within the school or activity.
Know what training and qualifications your instructor has.
Be informed of problems or concerns relating to your child.
Know what happens if there’s an accident or injury, be informed if your child is injured and
have your consent sought for anything outside of our initial consent form, such as permission to go on trips or photography.
We expect all parents to follow the behaviours and requests set out in this code. If any parent behaves in a way which contradicts any of the points set out above, we’ll address the problem straight away with the parent and aim to resolve the issue.
Persistent concerns or breaches may result in parents being asked not to attend events if their attendance is considered a risk to the welfare and enjoyment of young participants.
Continued issues and repeated breaches of this code may result in us regrettably asking your child to leave the activity, event, or club permanently, something we never want to do.

Code of conduct for children and young people
Note: Where we refer to ‘parents’ we mean parents and carers inclusively. The term ‘children’ or ‘child’ describes any person under the age of 18.
As a young person taking part in a P.U.M.A. activity, we’d like you to follow this guidance to make sure you are able to participate in your sport or activity safely.

Keep yourself safe by listening to your coach or trainer, behaving responsibly and speak out when
something isn’t right.
When you’re with us stay in the places where you’re supposed to be, don’t wander off or leave without telling a member of staff.
Take care of our equipment and premises as if they were your own.
Make it to practices or sessions on time and if you’re running late, let a member of staff know.
Bring the right kit to practice and wear appropriate kit for the weather.
Respect and celebrate difference in our school or activity and not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of gender, race, sexual orientation, or ability.
Report any incidents of bullying, including homophobia and transphobia to a member of staff, even if you’re just a witness.
Treat other young people with respect and appreciate that everyone has different levels of skill and talent.
Make our school or activity a welcoming and friendly place to be.
Support and encourage your teammates. Tell them when they’ve done well and be there for
them when they’re struggling.
Respect all staff regardless of grade and all students regardless of age.
Be a good sport, celebrate when you win and be gracious when you lose.
Play by the rules and have fun.
Follow our online safety, social media and internet use policies.
Get involved in school or activity decisions, it’s your sport too.

As a young person taking part, we understand you have the right to…
Enjoy the time you spend with us and know that you’re safe.
Be told who you can talk to if something’s not right.
Be listened to.
Be included.
Be involved and contribute towards decisions within the school or activity.
Be respected by us and other student members and be treated fairly.
Feel welcomed, valued, and not judged based on your race, gender, sexuality, or ability.
Be encouraged and develop skills with our help.
Be looked after if there’s an accident or injury and have your parents informed if needed.

We expect all young people to follow the behaviours and requests set out in this code. If any young person behaves in a way which contradicts any of the points set out above, we’ll address the problem straight away with parent’s involvement and aim to resolve the issue.
Continued issues and repeated breaches of this code may result in us regrettably asking you to leave the activity, event, or club permanently, for the welfare of other young people and our staff. This is something we never want to do.

THE SAFEGUARDING TEAM
P.U.M.A. has a dedicated safeguarding team and a designated Safeguard Lead (DSL). Details of all the members of the team can be found on the P.U.M.A. web page.

All reports to the safeguarding team are treated in the strictest of confidence until or
unless they are required to be reported to other safeguarding professionals or police.

All reports are taken seriously and will be investigated. Reporting forms can be found on
the P.U.M.A. web page or reports can be made directly to the DSL or the Chairman.

The current DSL is – Ms Louise Reeve, email louy@cliTonandhenleazetkd.co.uk or phone
07866723631

P.U.M.A. has a concise disciplinary process and any complaints can be sent to either the DSL or the Chairman, contact details for the Chairman can be found on the P.U.M.A. web page.

INSTRUCTORS AND HELPERS
All instructors and school owners have enhanced DBS certificates and undergo safeguarding training renewed every 3 years.
As most Black Belts are expected to teach within the training environment, all Black Belt students over the age of 16 are expected to attend the P.U.M.A. safeguarding course every 3 years regardless of whether they are formal teaching staff.

P.U.M.A. has an instructors Code of Conduct and it is expected that every member of teaching staff has read and understood this document.

PHOTOGRAPHY
P.U.M.A. employs and OPEN and CLOSED forum system.
Any event publicised as OPEN FORUM will be a non-obligatory public event and it is expected that photographs will be taken for publicity purposes. Examples of an OPEN FORUM event would be a Seminar, Tournament or Public Demonstration at a Fair.

Any event publicised as a CLOSED EVENT will be an event that MUST be attended in order to progress and no photographs or filming is allowed at these events. Examples of CLOSED FORUM events would be a Class or Grading.

Photography at OPEN FORUM events will often include images that will later appear on social media and in publications. In the event of an image of a young person being used, no names will be included in order to help protect their privacy.

INCLUSIVITY and IDENTITY

P.U.M.A. actively promotes the use of the personal pronoun selected by the individual for all students including juniors. Instructors should ask how students wish to be referred and will endeavour to use that personal pronoun when necessary.

P.U.M.A. recognises the rights of children to be individuals and respects all those characteristics protected under the Equality Act 2010

L Reeve
DSL P.U.M.A.
2022

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PUMA Instructor Code of Ethics

Being an instructor in PUMA is more than a qualification. PUMA is well recognised and respected throughout the martial arts community and in order to maintain this reputation and to continue to offer quality training and support we require our members to have a professional and ethical approach throughout their lives. It is because of our exceptionally high standards, quality training and the professionalism of our instructors and members that we are so highly regarded. This is a benefit to us as an Association and to you as an instructor.

To help our instructors maintain these standards and offer the highest levels of professional service at all times, this Code of Ethics:

• sets out the required standards of professional behaviour with guidance to help you achieve them
• helps you to protect interest of your school and members
• helps you to maintain PUMA’s good reputation

General

1. Always talk about fellow instructors/students and P.U.M.A. in a positive manner.
2. Never sell any products to another Instructor’s student.
3. Always seek permission for you and your students to train at another school.
4. Learn to agree to disagree. Everyone has opinions and they won’t always be the same as yours.
5. When visiting another school, make no announcements to students without prior discussion and consent of the host Instructor.
6. Seek permission from their instructor prior to asking students of another school to teach for you.
7. Seek permission from their instructor before promoting non-PUMA / non-Squad events and competitions to students of another school.
8. If a new beginner who lives outside of your area asks to train at your school, you should direct them to the school that is closest to them.
9. Publicise and share information about all seminars and events you may be running to other instructors in your area and to P.U.M.A.
10. If when training at another school you are taught a different theory or technique that you may not agree with and you wish to discuss the matter, please do so in private a[er the class. Show courtesy and respect by only voicing your opinion during the class with the express permission of the instructor.
11. Always endeavour to be an ambassador for your art, association and school. Always act in a positive manner and promote respect, courtesy and empathy.

1. There are no transfers of students within P.U.M.A.
2. Ensure that only P.U.M.A. approved safety equipment is used by you/your students at class or when competing at PUMA events.
3. Always ensure that you minimise or remove any risk of harm to your students by following Health & Safety protocols such as Risk Assessment and by adhering to the PUMA safeguarding policies.
4. Whether teaching, training, socialising or in other official functions, always act with professionalism, respect and courtesy.

Digital & Social Media Practice

This code of conduct is designed to provide guidance on the usage of social media and electronic communications in order to protect the reputation of the individual, of PUMA instructors and of the organisation itself. Whilst it is not intended to govern instructors’ private use of social media, it does set out expectations around online behaviour that could affect professional standing, integrity and dignity.

1. Instructors should remember that what they say may reflect upon their professional lives, and the professional lives of their colleagues, and should moderate their comments accordingly. Be aware that once posted comments are usually permanent and can rarely be fully removed.
2. Instructors have a responsibility to be a positive role model, so should promote themselves with positive posts. Remember that not everyone is of the same opinion as you, so avoid posting negative comments which may alienate and/or demonise a group of people. Instead restructure the comment with a positive spin. For example, promote the views of your chosen political affiliation / religious belief / martial art rather than criticize those of another.
3. Think before you post! Could someone take offence at what you are posting, or could it be deemed inappropriate? Are you in danger of breaching safeguarding guidelines by encouraging potentially vulnerable people into controversial or unsafe practices? Remember, students look up to instructors through rose-tinted glasses and can be extremely susceptible to suggestion.
4. Think about who can see what you are posting and manage your privacy settings accordingly. If you really cannot avoid posting controversial viewpoints that may potentially cause reputational damage to yourself, other members or the organisation, consider opening an alternative profile using an alias with no links to PUMA that you can use to air your views.
5. Do not promote, publicise or document your involvement in controversial or illegal activities.
6. Maintain professional boundaries over social media and methods of communication associated with these. Remember, many of the people who follow us on social media are our customers, not our friends.
7. Do not post confidential or private material or opinions. Observe safeguarding guidelines by not posting material that could lead to someone being identifiable.

• Do not post inappropriate or offensive material related to: Gender, Race, Religion and beliefs, Sexual Orientation or Political views.

Remember, if you are writing something that you think may be in breach of these guidelines, it probably is.

Code Breaches

Any breaches of this code will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Minor issues can be dealt with informally and resolved quickly and easily.

Any escalations or serious breaches should be reported to the PUMA Disciplinary Officer who will decide how to respond and any relevant sanctions.

R Gayle

Chairman P.U.M.A. 2022

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