Lighthouse Tai Chi® (referred to as LHTC), is a business partnership owned by David Pelling and Helena Kean. LHTC does not employ other staff, or external sub-contractors.
Safeguarding Policy
Lighthouse Tai Chi requires that any children or vulnerable adults participating in sessions, must be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult or a suitable carer. We recognise that the welfare of children and vulnerable adults is important regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.
All students attending our weekly adult classes are given terms and conditions that explain clearly the rules of behaviour and conduct, and the procedures and consequences when rules are broken.
When hired for children’s classes, family sessions or specialist groups and taster sessions, we will always defer to the hirer or person responsible to apply their organization’s policies. Please see our Terms and Conditions
We are committed to establishing safe and responsive environments which safeguard all individuals and will comply with all requests made by our clients in application of their safeguarding policies and procedures, and undertaking investigations. We recognise our responsibility to ensure prompt action and to minimise the risk of allegations against our clients and ourselves. If a student has a concern regarding their own welfare and wellbeing, we will record all information given, without judgement or assumption and inform the client.
LHTC recognise that “Safeguarding” is the action that is taken to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm and this includes a wide range of potential: • Abuse (physical, emotional, financial, institutional, sexual, organisational) • Self-neglect • Discrimination • Child sexual exploitation • Bullying & cyberbullying • Substance misuse • Fabricated or induced Illness • Faith abuse • Forced marriage & modern slavery • Gang and youth violence • Private fostering • Female genital mutilation (FGM) • Gender based violence • Radicalisation • Sexting • Teenage relationship abuse • Mental health concerns
LHTC identify a “child” as anyone under the age of 18 and an adult at risk or a vulnerable adult, as any person over the age of 18 and at risk of abuse or neglect because of their need for support or personal circumstance. This could be due to, and not limited to any of the following: • Living in sheltered housing • Receiving any form of health care • Receiving a welfare service to support their need to live independently • Receiving a service due to their age or disability • Living in residential accommodation such as a care home • Receiving domiciliary care in their own home.
Also, we understand that an individual may be deemed at higher risk of a safeguarding issue affecting them due to: • Poor numeracy and literacy skill, a learning disability or specific learning need • Unsupportive home environment • English not a first language • Unsupportive employer • Underrepresented group • Acting as a carer for another family member • Background in offending • Disability or social need.
LHTC will only share information about the students with the client for safeguarding purposes or in the event of an accident or incident on their premises. Please see our data protection policy. LHTC do not store any student’s personal information or contact numbers for sessions organised by our clients. Please also see our Social Media, Filming & Photography Policy.
Our instructors will not visit students at their home, or offer transport to and from locations or spend time alone with a student in a closed environment. They will never give medical advice, opinions or recommendations, and only offer relevant modifications to movement within our sphere of expertise, with the understanding that this is always at own risk.
Care will be given when interacting with young and vulnerable people, to be respectful and appreciative of the position of trust extended by our client and to maintain a professional boundary and standard of behaviour.
Should our instructors feel unsafe in a student’s or client’s company, they will inform the manager, and leave the premises.
DBS Checks Policy
According to UK Government DBS guidelines, a self-employed person cannot apply for an enhanced DBS check for themselves. The basic check has no value to organizations or companies that hire the services of self-employed people. Should a self-employed person be required to work with or be in contact with vulnerable adults and/or children, an enhanced DBS check requested by the hiring organization or company is a legal requirement.
Therefore, should either Helena Kean or David Pelling be required to work with or be in contact with vulnerable adults and/or children, an enhanced DBS check is required and must be requested and paid for by the client. “A self-employed person who is eligible for a standard or enhanced DBS check must ask the organisation that wishes to contract their services, to apply for their check” UK Gov Website
Alternatively, and for example, when providing sessions in schools, care homes, etc. they may be fully supervised or assisted by a member of staff who already has an enhanced DBS check and is knowledgeable of and responsible for applying the school’s or organization’s safe-guarding protocols. Most organizations find this acceptable and fully compliant with their policies.
LHTC requires that any children or vulnerable adults participating in standard contracted sessions, must be accompanied by a responsible adult or suitable carer. LHTC do not provide personal training or one-to-one instruction for contract clients.
Should LHTC be required by clients to provide instruction for children or vulnerable adults without such supervision as outlined above, then the clients themselves would need to make the relevant DBS checks at their expense, and the sessions would not be part of any current contract agreement. A new and specific contract and fee structure would be required under a separate agreement between LHTC and the client, which also complies with LHTC’s insurance policies.
When contracts are agreed with clients, LHTC make a full disclosure of any relevant information as required under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Amendment Order of 2018.Safeguarding Policy