England Hockey is committed to creating safe, welcoming and respectful environments for all adults involved in hockey. Every adult has the right to participate free from abuse, neglect, harm and exploitation.
This section focuses specifically on Adults at Risk and the safeguarding responsibilities that apply to them.
An Adult at Risk is a person aged 18 or over who:
- has needs for care and support, whether or not those needs are being met;
- is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
- as a result of those care and support needs, is unable to protect themselves from the abuse or neglect, or the risk of it.
An Adult at Risk may not describe themselves as being “at risk”. A person’s circumstances, care and support needs, and ability to protect themselves may also change over time.
Safeguarding Adults at Risk means:
- listening to the Adult at Risk and taking their views seriously;
- involving them in decisions wherever possible;
- supporting them to understand their options and communicate in their preferred way;
- recognising signs of poor practice, abuse or neglect;
- responding promptly and proportionately to concerns;
- sharing information only where it is necessary, lawful and appropriate; and
- reporting safeguarding concerns through the approved England Hockey procedure.
Concerns involving an adult who does not meet the definition of an Adult at Risk must still be taken seriously. Depending on the circumstances, the concern may need to be addressed through the appropriate welfare, poor-practice, conduct, disciplinary, employment or support route.
If you are unsure which route applies, seek advice through the England Hockey Safeguarding Reporting Procedures.
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Safeguarding children applies to everyone under the age of 18, while adult safeguarding focuses on people aged 18 and over, including those who may be at risk of abuse or neglect because of their care and support needs.
A key difference is that adults have the right to make their own decisions. Adult safeguarding therefore places particular importance on listening to individuals, respecting their wishes and involving them in decisions wherever possible.
All adults have the right to feel safe in hockey, and any concerns about their welfare should be taken seriously.
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For the purposes of the England Hockey Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy, an Adult at Risk is a person aged 18 or over who:
- has needs for care and support, whether or not those needs are being met;
- is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
- as a result of those care and support needs, is unable to protect themselves from the abuse or neglect, or the risk of it.
All three parts of the definition should be considered. A disability, diagnosis, age-related need or period of poor mental wellbeing does not, by itself, mean that someone is an Adult at Risk.
A person’s circumstances may change, so someone may meet the definition temporarily or on a continuing basis. -
Remain calm, listen carefully and take the Adult at Risk seriously.
You should:
- allow the Adult at Risk to communicate in their own words and preferred way;
- ask only what is necessary to understand immediate safety and support needs;
- ask what the Adult at Risk would like to happen;
- explain that you cannot promise to keep the information secret;
- make a prompt, factual record; and
- report the concern through the approved England Hockey Safeguarding Reporting Procedures.
Do not investigate, ask leading or repeated questions, confront the person alleged to have caused harm, attempt to mediate or delay reporting while trying to obtain proof.
If anyone is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical assistance, contact the emergency services on 999.
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Listen to the Adult at Risk’s reasons, take their wishes seriously and check that the Adult at Risk has the information and support needed to understand the available options.
A wish not to pursue a report does not automatically mean that no further action should be taken. It also does not automatically justify sharing information without the Adult at Risk’s agreement.
Information may sometimes need to be shared where:- someone is in immediate danger;
- there is a risk of serious harm;
- another Adult at Risk or a child may be at risk;
- a serious crime may have been committed; or
- another legal responsibility applies.
Do not make this decision alone. Record the Adult at Risk’s wishes and seek advice through the England Hockey Safeguarding Reporting Procedures. Wherever it is safe and practicable, explain what information may be shared, with whom and why.
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No. Working with or having contact with an Adult at Risk does not automatically mean that someone is eligible for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check or an Adults’ Barred List check.
Eligibility depends on the person’s actual activities and responsibilities, not solely on:- the role title;
- contact with an Adult at Risk; or
- being described as holding a Position of Trust.
Clubs should follow the EH Safe Recruitment Guidance and seek advice from the England Hockey Safeguarding Team if eligibility is unclear. A DBS check is only one part of safer recruitment and does not replace role descriptions, references, identity checks, induction, safeguarding training and appropriate supervision.
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Action on Elder Abuse
A national organisation based in London. It aims to prevent the abuse of older people by raising awareness, encouraging education, promoting research and collecting and disseminating information.
Tel: 020 8765 7000
Email: enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk
www.elderabuse.org.ukAnn Craft Trust (ACT)
A national organisation providing information and advice about adult safeguarding. ACT have a specialist Safeguarding Adults in Sport and Activity team to support the sector
Tel: 0115 951 5400
Email: Ann-Craft-Trust@nottingham.ac.uk
Men’s Advice Line
For male domestic abuse survivors
Tel: 0808 801 0327
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
Tel: 0800 999 5428National 24Hour Freephone Domestic Abuse Helplines
Tel: 0808 2000 247
www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-usRape Crisis Federation of England and Wales
Rape Crisis was launched in 1996 and exists to provide a range of facilities and resources to enable the continuance and development of Rape Crisis Groups throughout Wales and England.
Email: info@rapecrisis.co.uk
www.rapecrisis.co.ukRespond
Respond provides a range of services to victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse who have learning disabilities, and training and support to those working with them.
0808 808 0700 (Helpline)
Email: services@respond.org.uk
www.respond.org.ukStop Hate Crime
Works to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual’s identity. Stop Hate UK provides independent, confidential and accessible reporting and support for victims, witnesses and third parties.
24 hours service:
Telephone: 0800 138 1625
Web Chat: www.stophateuk.org/talk-to-us/
E mail: talk@stophateuk.org
Text: 07717 989 025
Text relay: 18001 0800 138 1625
By post: PO Box 851, Leeds LS1 9QSSusy Lamplugh Trust
The Trust is a leading authority on personal safety. Its role is to minimise the damage caused to individuals and to society by aggression in all its forms – physical, verbal and psychological.
Tel: 020 83921839
Fax: 020 8392 1830
Email: info@suzylamplugh.org
www.suzylamplugh.orgVictim Support
Provides practical advice and help, emotional support and reassurance to those who have suffered the effects of a crime.
Tel: 0808 168 9111
