Policy Statement

Oxford Fencing Club recognises its responsibility for the safety of its members, and to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and vulnerable adults in its care. The club will comply with best practice as defined by British Fencing, the sport’s governing body in the United Kingdom.

The Club believes that everyone in fencing has a right to:

• Engage in a safe environment.
• Be treated with respect.
• Be protected from all forms of harassment, harm or abuse.
• Expect that their welfare is put first, and be listened to if they have any concerns or worries.

Oxford Fencing Club aims to encourage all members to enjoy their sport, and to develop their skills in a supportive environment. The Club has:

• Adopted British Fencing’s (BF) code of conduct, welfare guidelines and policies which we expect all members to follow.
• Developed a positive safeguarding culture and understands that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
• Appointed a welfare officer who is the designated safeguarding lead for the organisation and is the first point of contact for concerns regarding safeguarding and welfare. The welfare officer is registered with and trained by BF as part of their safeguarding culture.
• Checked that all coaching staff that we employ are on BF’s coach register, meaning that they have current enhanced DBS checks, safeguarding training, first-aid training in addition to relevant coaching qualifications.
• Published information explaining who to speak to if you have a safeguarding or welfare concern (see below).

What to do to keep people safe

The club expects that our actions and environment mean that children and vulnerable people will not be placed in a situation where they could come to harm.

• We Recognise that abuse can take many forms and that sports clubs where children may be striving to improve their game are a venue where they can be vulnerable. Our coaches, welfare officer, and committee members are trained to recognise this risk and are empowered to Respond accordingly.
• When anyone (child or adult) in the club reports a concern, it will be treated with respect and without judgement. Our welfare officer will Record the concern in the reporter’s own words and reassure them that they have done the right thing. 
• We will Refer concerns to BF’s Lead Safeguarding Officer via the ‘Report It’ form on British Fencing’s website, or by calling 07526 003030 if more urgent. 
• If a vulnerable person is in imminent danger or is not safe, we will call 999 to contact the emergency services.

What is a safeguarding matter?

Abuse can take many forms, and includes:

• Physical abuse (deliberately causing pain)
• Sexual (touching private parts of people’s bodies without their permission)
• Emotional abuse (using words or saying things that make them unhappy or uncomfortable)
• Neglect (not taking care of someone when you should be)

What to do if you are concerned or if someone tells you they have been abused

If you are concerned that someone is in immediate danger, call the emergency services on 999.

All safeguarding concerns or complaints MUST be reported. Our welfare officer may be contacted by emailing welfare@oxfordfencingclub.co.uk and is identified on our Contact page. They will be able to help you with recording and reporting your concerns to British Fencing (report-a-concern).

For more serious matters, you can directly contact the regional safeguarding officer (Lorna Cooke on welfare@southernfencing.org.uk), or BF’s welfare lead (Liz Behnke safeguarding@britishfencing.com or 07526 003030).

You may also choose to speak with ​​the local authority designated officer, who can be contacted on 01865 810603. Further information on how to report a concern about a professional or volunteer who is working with children can be found at https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/children-education-and-families/childrens-services/concerns-over-professionals.

Further information about British Fencing’s welfare policy is available at their website: https://www.britishfencing.com/welfare-zone/

Children or young people can speak to any adult who they trust, the welfare officer, coaches and committee members or BF’s welfare lead by calling 07526 003030.

Last Updated 11 May 2025