INFORMATION FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN CONCERNS WHICH ARE BEING INVESTIGATED BY BF

This page provides information on BF’s role in cases which do not involve investigation or decision making by the authorities. 

(Information where the concern has been raised to the authorities can be found here)

Most people who work or volunteer in fencing provide safe and supportive environments for children and adults at risk. However, sometimes the conduct of an individual might be brought into question or might result in an allegation of harm or abuse of a child or adult at risk being made against them.

The welfare of children and adults at risk in fencing is paramount and all allegations that relate to their welfare will be treated seriously, in line with government advice, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 and the British Fencing Safeguarding Policy.

Where allegations meet a certain ‘threshold level’, BF is required to report them to the authorities and take action under their guidance. Data protection law allows BF to share information to safeguard people.

BF may choose to involve the Local Authority Designated Officer (or Home Nation equivalents) in the decision making process in regards to how to handle an investigation and any without prejudice restrictions that might be suitable.

This page is intended to provide information about how this process works for anyone who has had concerns raised about them which results in a BF led investigation. It is also useful information for anyone supporting that person or anyone else involved in the process.

Why can't I be told who has made the reports?

Many people that come forward to report concerns – whether these are minor poor practice or something more serious – do not give us permission to identify them personally.

Sometimes reports are made completely anonymously. This can be because people are worried about the reaction and the resulting impact on themselves or others, including children or adults at risk.

BF will, where possible, still investigate reports.

Why can't BF tell me what the concerns are?

In many cases concerns can be shared, especially in the case of evidenced poor practice reports.

Where concerns are raised by an individual who wishes to remain anonymous, BF may need to restrict some of the information shared during the investigation to respect confidentiality and allow the investigation to proceed.

If, following an investigation, BF decides there are grounds to move forward with a safeguarding or disciplinary hearing, concerns will be shared at that stage, although sources may be anonymised particularly to protect children and adults at risk.

 

Who runs BF safeguarding investigations?

Safeguarding investigations are handled by BF‘s Lead Safeguarding Officer and may be considered by a BF Case Management Group.  The Case Management Group is a multi-disciplinary group appointed by British Fencing on a case by case basis.   The Group is selected from a panel of safeguarding experts from both within and outside the sport and is charged with assessing the risk that individuals pose to children and adults at risk in fencing and the management of that risk.

BF reserve the right to appoint independent investigators. This can be for operational capacity reasons, or where there could be perceived or actual conflicts of interest for a BF staff member to investigate.

 

How long will investigations take?

It is usually not possible to predict how long investigations may take. Investigations can take time for a number of reasons.

  1. The number of people needed to be interviewed can be significant
  2. Investigations can start small but expand due to information uncovered during the course of the investigation
  3. Investigations are dependent on the availability of people for interview and follow-up.
  4. BF is a small NGB with limited resources. At any one time we are managing a number of cases and investigations simultaneously.

BF reserve the right appoint an independent investigating body or individual, they too will be subject to their own resource constraints and points 1-3 above.

 

Why have (without prejudice) temporary restrictions been put in place?

If it is believed that there is a legitimate safeguarding need, BF may impose an interim without prejudice restriction or suspension on any aspect of involvement in fencing.

This is on a temporary basis pending the outcome of an investigation.

An interim restriction or suspension is a neutral, precautionary measure, intended to safeguard the interests of all parties during a period of investigation. The restriction or suspension is not a penalty and implies no assumption of guilt.

BF may seek guidance from the Local Authority Designated Officer (see FAQ below) about appropriate restrictions.

Where investigations are led by BF any restrictions/suspensions will be reviewed on a regular basis by a Case Management Group.

The process is very distressing and negatively affecting me, what help is out there?

BF recognises that having a concern or allegation raised against you regarding your behaviour towards children or adults at risk can be distressing.

BF has limited control over how long investigations take and we are aware that delays in these areas can negatively impact everyone involved.

If a concern or allegation is raised against you, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the BF Safeguarding Policy, as well as the Welfare area of the website, to gain an understanding of the process. BF also recognises that circumstances such as these can cause feelings of anxiety, and if you feel your mental health is being affected, please make use of the resources listed on the Are You OK section of our website.

 

What happens after an investigation?

Depending on the outcome of a BF investigation there may be:

1. A Safeguarding hearing to determine next steps, which may involve a panel hearing.  If a serious allegation is substantiated, BF may impose an indefinite bar restricting your involvement in fencing. If you are removed from working or volunteering with children indefinitely, BF may also refer you to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

2. Disciplinary action (this is where the investigation has concluded there are breaches of the code of conduct). This might result in punitive sanctions. At this point any remaining interim restrictions are usually removed.

3. No further action. This can be in cases where the conclusion is that there is no case to answer or insufficient evidence to move forward with 1. or 2. At this point any remaining interim restrictions are usually removed.

What is the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

Where certain conditions are met, British Fencing must consult with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).  This may be for children or adults at risk and BF will work in conjunction with them.

Every Local Authority in England has a LADO who is responsible for coordinating the response to any concerns that an adult who works or volunteers with children or adults at risk may have harmed them or may pose a risk to them.

The LADO will review the information provided and, if necessary, share the information with Children’s Social Care Services, Adults Care Services, schools and/or Police.   This could result in a criminal investigation, a joint police/ social care investigation, or referral back to British Fencing for an internal safeguarding or disciplinary investigation.

During a police or joint police/social care investigations the LADO may advise BF on any temporary without prejudice restrictions.

If the case is passed back to British Fencing, the LADO will advise and make recommendations about how British Fencing should deal with the alleged concern.

It is extremely important to note that the outcome of an investigation managed by either the LADO or British Fencing is based on the civil threshold of ‘balance of probability’, which is different to the criminal threshold of ‘beyond all reasonable doubt’. Therefore, the findings of the police may differ from the findings of the LADO or British Fencing.

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