SAFEGUARDING POLICY
Victory Gaming is committed to providing a safe, caring and stimulating environment where all young people can thrive. Through our Level Up alternative provision programme and wider esports activities we engage students who may be at risk of disengagement by harnessing the positive power of video gaming.
Contents
1Introduction & Purpose
Victory Gaming is committed to creating and maintaining a safe environment for all children, young people, and vulnerable adults who engage with our esports education programmes, gaming clubs, online platforms, and community activities.
This policy has been developed in accordance with:
- The Children Act 1989 and 2004
- Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE 2024)
- The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- The Care Act 2014
- UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
- Online Safety Act 2023
The purpose of this policy is to provide staff, volunteers, and partner organisations with clear guidance on our approach to safeguarding and the procedures that must be followed.
2Scope & Application
This policy applies to:
- All Victory Gaming staff (paid and unpaid)
- Volunteers and sessional workers
- Contractors and third-party providers
- Partner organisations delivering activities on our behalf
- Trustees and board members
This policy covers all Victory Gaming activities including:
- After-school gaming clubs
- Holiday programmes and camps
- Online esports education courses
- Tournaments and competitive events
- Online community platforms (Discord, forums)
- Church and youth group partnerships
3Key Principles
Welfare is Paramount
The welfare of children and vulnerable adults is the primary concern in all our activities and decision-making.
Right to Protection
All children and vulnerable adults have the right to be protected from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Shared Responsibility
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. All staff and volunteers must be vigilant and act on concerns.
Partnership Working
We work in partnership with children, families, and other agencies to promote welfare and protection.
Listening to Children
We listen to and take seriously the views, wishes, and feelings of children and young people.
Prevention
We take proactive steps to prevent abuse through safe recruitment, training, and robust procedures.
4Definitions
Child
Anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. The fact that a child has reached 16 years of age is living independently or is in further education does not change their status or entitlement to services or protection.
Vulnerable Adult
A person aged 18 or over who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of themselves, or unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.
Safeguarding
Protecting children and vulnerable adults from maltreatment; preventing impairment of health or development; ensuring they grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children and vulnerable adults to have the best outcomes.
Abuse
A form of maltreatment. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child or vulnerable adult by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm. Abuse may be committed by adults or children, and may occur in family, institutional, or community settings, including online.
5Roles & Responsibilities
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
George Herrera — 07899293671
George is a senior member of the team with authority to oversee safeguarding and child-protection matters. The DSL acts as the lead point of contact with statutory agencies and ensures that concerns are responded to appropriately.
- Acting as the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns
- Referring cases to children's social care and/or police as appropriate
- Maintaining accurate and secure safeguarding records
- Ensuring all staff receive appropriate safeguarding training
- Liaising with local safeguarding partners and agencies
- Reviewing and updating safeguarding policies and procedures
Deputy DSL
Reuben White — 07340411126
Reuben supports the DSL and acts in their absence.
All Staff and Volunteers
Every person working with Victory Gaming has a responsibility to:
- Prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults
- Know who the Designated Safeguarding Lead is and how to contact them
- Report any safeguarding concerns immediately
- Complete required safeguarding training
- Follow the Code of Conduct at all times
6Safer Recruitment
Victory Gaming is committed to safer recruitment practices to help deter, reject, and identify people who might abuse children or vulnerable adults. Our recruitment process includes:
DBS Checks
All staff and volunteers working with children undergo Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks, including a check of the children's barred list.
References
We obtain at least two references for all positions, including specific questions about suitability to work with children.
Identity Verification
We verify identity through official documentation and confirm qualifications where relevant to the role.
Interviews
All candidates are interviewed with questions designed to assess their suitability to work with children and understanding of safeguarding.
Important: No person will be permitted to work unsupervised with children or vulnerable adults until all safer recruitment checks have been satisfactorily completed.
7Code of Conduct
Staff and Volunteers MUST:
- Treat all children and young people with dignity and respect
- Be a positive role model, displaying appropriate behaviour at all times
- Ensure activities are appropriate and within the capabilities of participants
- Maintain appropriate ratios of staff to participants
- Report all concerns, allegations, or disclosures immediately
- Ensure parental consent is obtained for photographs and online participation
Staff and Volunteers must NEVER:
- Engage in any form of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Use inappropriate or offensive language
- Have private communications with children via personal social media or messaging, including video games or streams
- Transport children alone in a vehicle without express parental permission
- Share personal contact details with children
- Give or receive gifts without prior approval
- Allow or engage in inappropriate physical contact
8Recognising Abuse
Abuse can take many forms. All staff and volunteers should be aware of the different types of abuse and their potential indicators:
Physical Abuse
May involve hitting, shaking, throwing, burning, scalding, drowning, or suffocating.
Indicators: Unexplained injuries, fear of physical contact, flinching, wearing clothes to cover injuries.
Emotional Abuse
Persistent emotional maltreatment that causes severe and adverse effects on emotional development.
Indicators: Low self-esteem, withdrawal, excessive need for approval, sudden speech disorders.
Sexual Abuse
Forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, including online abuse.
Indicators: Inappropriate sexual knowledge, sexualised behaviour, reluctance to undress for activities.
Neglect
Persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and/or psychological needs.
Indicators: Poor hygiene, inadequate clothing, constant hunger, untreated medical conditions.
Online Abuse
Any type of abuse that happens online, including cyberbullying, grooming, and exploitation.
Indicators: Withdrawal from friends, secretive online behaviour, inappropriate online friendships.
Child Criminal Exploitation
Where children are manipulated into criminal activity, including county lines and gang involvement.
Indicators: Unexplained money/gifts, changes in friendships, going missing, new older friends.
9Reporting Procedures
If a Child is in Immediate Danger
Call 999 immediately. Do not wait to consult with others if you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm.
Reporting Steps:
Listen and Reassure
If a child discloses abuse, listen carefully, remain calm, and reassure them they have done the right thing by telling you. Do not promise confidentiality.
Record
Make a written record as soon as possible, using the child's own words where possible. Record facts only, not opinions or interpretations.
Report to DSL
Report the concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately, or within 24 hours at the latest. Share your written record.
Referral
The DSL will decide on the appropriate course of action, which may include referral to local authority children's services, LADO, or the police.
What NOT to Do:
- Do not investigate or ask leading questions
- Do not promise to keep the information secret
- Do not contact the alleged abuser
- Do not delay reporting because you are unsure
10Online Safety
Given the nature of our esports and gaming activities, online safety is a critical aspect of our safeguarding approach. We are committed to protecting children from online risks including:
- Cyberbullying and online harassment
- Online grooming and sexual exploitation
- Exposure to harmful content
- Privacy and data security risks
- Gaming addiction and excessive screen time
- In-game financial exploitation
Our Online Safety Measures:
Moderated Platforms
Our Discord servers and forums are actively moderated by trained staff.
Age Verification
We implement age verification processes where appropriate.
Parental Controls
We educate parents on game-specific parental controls and settings.
Content Filtering
We use automated tools to filter inappropriate content and language.
11Data Protection & Confidentiality
We process personal data in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Safeguarding records are handled with particular care:
- Safeguarding concerns are recorded on a need-to-know basis
- Records are stored securely with restricted access
- Information may be shared with statutory agencies where necessary to protect a child
- Safeguarding records are retained in line with statutory requirements
Note: Data protection laws are not a barrier to sharing safeguarding information. The welfare of the child is paramount, and information can be shared without consent where there is a safeguarding concern.
12Training Requirements
All staff and volunteers receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role:
Basic Safeguarding Awareness
All staff and volunteers receive basic safeguarding training upon induction, covering recognition, reporting, and key policies. Refreshed annually.
DSL Training
The Designated Safeguarding Lead and deputies complete enhanced training, including multi-agency working. Updated every two years with annual refreshers.
Online Safety
All staff receive specific training on online safety risks relevant to gaming and esports environments.
13Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if:
- There are changes to legislation or statutory guidance
- There are significant changes to our activities or operations
- Following a safeguarding incident or near-miss
- Following feedback from staff, partners, or external inspections
14Key Contacts
Victory Gaming DSL Contacts
External Agencies
NSPCC Helpline
0808 800 5000
Childline
0800 1111
Police (non-emergency)
101
Emergency Services
999
This policy has been developed with reference to UK government guidance and best practice from organisations including the NSPCC, Ann Craft Trust, and UK Safeguarding.
Victory Gaming is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.