Safeguarding Policy

The London Fit Club Ltd.
Date Reviewed: 2 October 2025
Next Review Date: 2 October 2026
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Hassan El Barbary
Deputy DSL: Mike Kates

1. Purpose

This policy sets out the principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults who use our services.

2. About The London Fit Club Ltd.

The London Fit Club Ltd. is a fitness and wellbeing facility based at Unit P, Mandara Place, Yeoman Street, London SE8 5FA. We provide personal training, group classes, kids' training, therapy services (physiotherapy and rehabilitation), and nutrition support to adults, children, and young people.

We recognise our duty of care to protect all service users—particularly children, young people, and vulnerable adults—from harm, abuse, and exploitation. All staff and volunteers must follow this policy and complete appropriate DBS checks and safeguarding training.

3. Our Commitment

We believe it is always unacceptable for a child or vulnerable adult to experience abuse of any kind. The welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults is paramount. All individuals—regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or identity—have the right to protection from all types of harm and abuse.

4. Principles

We will safeguard children and vulnerable adults by:

  • Listening to them, respecting and valuing their views.

  • Building a culture where staff and users feel comfortable raising concerns.

  • Appointing trained Designated Safeguarding Leads.

  • Ensuring all staff know the procedures and what to do if they have a concern.

  • Recruiting safely and completing DBS checks.

  • Challenging discrimination and promoting equal protection.

  • Working in partnership with safeguarding agencies and sharing information with Lewisham social care and the police when necessary.

5. Definitions

Children: Anyone under 18. Safeguarding means protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of their health or development, and ensuring safe and effective care.
Vulnerable Adults: An adult (18+) who may be unable to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation due to disability, illness, reduced mental/physical capacity, or reliance on care/rehabilitation services.

6. Types of Abuse

Physical abuse: Hitting, shaking, throwing, burning, or causing physical harm (including excessive or unsafe training).
Emotional abuse: Bullying, intimidation, humiliation, excessive criticism, or threats causing emotional harm.
Sexual abuse: Forcing or enticing a person to take part in sexual activities; includes non-contact abuse (e.g., inappropriate comments, exposure).
Neglect: Persistent failure to meet basic needs; in fitness, this may include inadequate supervision or failing to respond to injuries.
Other forms: Bullying (including online), domestic abuse, online abuse/grooming, financial/material abuse (particularly vulnerable adults), discriminatory abuse.

7. Signs of Abuse

Physical: Unexplained bruises/burns/injuries; reluctance to remove clothing; appearing malnourished or unkempt.
Behavioural: Sudden mood changes; withdrawal or anxiety; fear of specific people/places; inappropriate sexual knowledge; self-harm; reluctance to go home.
Verbal: Direct or indirect disclosures; descriptions of abusive experiences.

Note: One or more signs do not prove abuse but should prompt attention and possible referral.

8. Designated Safeguarding Leads

Lead DSL: Hassan El Barbary
Phone: 020 3606 0560
Email: hassan@ldnfitclub.co.uk / safeguarding@ldnfitclub.co.uk

Deputy DSL: Mike Kates
Phone: 020 3606 0560
Email: mike@ldnfitclub.co.uk / safeguarding@ldnfitclub.co.uk

DSL responsibilities include:

  • First point of contact for safeguarding concerns.

  • Receiving/recording disclosures and concerns.

  • Assessing concerns and determining actions.

  • Referring to Children’s/Adult Social Care or Police where necessary.

  • Supporting staff who raise concerns.

  • Maintaining confidential safeguarding records.

  • Ensuring all staff complete safeguarding training.

  • Reviewing and updating this policy annually.

9. Staff Responsibilities

All staff must:

  • Read and understand this policy.

  • Be alert to signs of abuse.

  • Report concerns immediately to a DSL.

  • Respond appropriately to disclosures (see Section 10).

  • Maintain confidentiality and follow the Code of Conduct.

  • Complete safeguarding training.

Staff must NOT:

  • Investigate concerns or decide whether abuse has occurred.

  • Contact the alleged abuser.

If in doubt, report it.

10. Responding to Disclosures (LISTEN)

L – Listen carefully: Give full attention; do not interrupt or lead.
I – Inquire sensitively: Use open questions (e.g., “Can you tell me more?”); do not promise confidentiality.
S – Support: Reassure; avoid shock or judgment.
T – Tell next steps: Explain you will inform the DSL.
E – Explain it’s not their fault.
N – Note: Record verbatim where possible (date/time/location) and pass to DSL immediately.

11. Reporting Procedures

Step 1 – Report to a DSL immediately

Step 2 – DSL assessment and action
The DSL will decide whether to monitor, take internal action, or refer to statutory agencies.

External contacts (for DSL use):

  • Lewisham Children’s Social Care (MASH): 020 8314 6660 (office) / 020 8314 6000 (out-of-hours) / mashagency@lewisham.gov.uk

  • Lewisham Adult Social Care: 020 8314 7777 (Option 1) / 020 8314 6000 (out-of-hours)

  • Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): 020 8314 7280 / LewishamLADO@lewisham.gov.uk

  • Police: 999 (emergency) / 101 (non-emergency)

12. Confidentiality

  • Share safeguarding information strictly on a need-to-know basis.

  • Do not promise absolute confidentiality.

  • Information may be shared without consent where there is a safeguarding risk.

13. Code of Conduct for Staff

Staff must:

  • Treat everyone with respect and dignity.

  • Maintain professional boundaries.

  • Ensure activities are appropriate for age, maturity, and ability.

  • Provide a safe environment.

  • Seek consent for physical contact (e.g., spotting, manual therapy).

  • Report concerns immediately.

Staff must NOT:

  • Engage in any form of abuse or discriminatory language.

  • Develop inappropriate relationships (including via social media).

  • Communicate with under-18s via personal social media/phones.

  • Be alone with a child in a private space without another adult present or parental consent.

  • Take photographs/videos without consent.

  • Ignore or fail to report concerns.

Breaches may result in disciplinary action, dismissal, and/or referral to authorities.

14. Working with Children

Parental consent: Written parental/guardian consent is required for under-18s. For 1:1 PT, consent includes being supervised alone by the coach.
Supervision: Appropriate staff ratios; all staff working with children are DBS-checked; physical contact must be necessary, appropriate, and with consent.
Health & safety: Parents must provide accurate health information; staff must ensure safe participation and respond to injuries; activities must suit age and ability.

15. Working with Vulnerable Adults

  • Be alert to signs of abuse or exploitation.

  • Respect autonomy and decision-making (unless capacity is lacking).

  • Report concerns to a DSL and work with Adult Social Care as appropriate.

16. Safe Recruitment

All staff/volunteers working with children or vulnerable adults undergo: application and interview, two references, identity checks, enhanced DBS with barred list, safeguarding training before starting, and a supervised probationary period. DBS checks are renewed every three years.

17. Allegations Against Staff

  • Report immediately to the Lead DSL (or Deputy DSL if allegation concerns the Lead).

  • DSL will contact the LADO within one working day and follow advice (e.g., investigation/suspension).

  • Maintain confidentiality; do not discuss with other staff/clients.

18. Photography and Social Media

  • Written consent is required before photographing/filming children or adults.

  • Use Club equipment/accounts only (not personal devices).

  • Do not tag individuals or share personal information.

  • Remove images promptly upon request where feasible.

19. Training

  • All staff: Level 1 Safeguarding Awareness (on induction, then every 3 years).

  • DSLs: Level 3 DSL training (every 2 years).

20. Record Keeping

  • Concerns/actions are recorded factually, dated, and signed; stored securely (password-protected or locked).

  • Retained for 7+ years, or until the child reaches 25 for child protection records.

  • Access limited to DSLs and authorised persons.

21. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if legislation changes or after a serious incident.
Next review date: 2 October 2026

22. Useful Contacts

Internal – DSLs

External – Lewisham

  • Children’s Social Care (MASH): 020 8314 6660 (office) / 020 8314 6000 (out-of-hours)

  • Adult Social Care: 020 8314 7777 (Option 1)

  • LADO (allegations against staff): 020 8314 7280 / LewishamLADO@lewisham.gov.uk

  • Police: 999 (emergency) / 101 (non-emergency)

National Helplines

  • NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

  • Childline: 0800 1111

  • Samaritans: 116 123

The London Fit Club Ltd.
Unit P Mandara Place, Yeoman Street, London, SE8 5FA
Email: safeguarding@ldnfitclub.co.uk
Website: www.thelondonfitclub.co.uk