Safeguarding & Privacy Policy

1. Policy Statement

At Pedal Perfect Cycling Lessons, the safety and wellbeing of every person who participates in our sessions is our highest priority. We are dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment where all individuals - children, young people, and adults - are protected from harm, abuse, and neglect.

The purpose of this policy is to protect children and young people who receive our services, from harm, including the children of adults who use our services, and to provide clear principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and child protection.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Pedal Perfect Cycling Lessons, instructors, volunteers, contractors, participants, students and parents involved in our activities.

2. Our Beliefs

We believe that:

• Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind.
• We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.
• The safety and welfare of every participant is paramount in all the work we do and in all decisions we take.
• Everyone, regardless of age, gender, ability, race, religion, or ethnicity, has an equal right to be safe and protected from all types of harm or abuse.

3. We Recognise That:

• The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all decisions we take.
• Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers, and other agencies is essential in promoting young people's welfare.
• Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs, or other issues, and extra safeguards may be needed to keep them safe.
• Parents and carers play a key role in supporting the safety and progress of their children during sessions.
• All staff and volunteers have a duty to act responsibly and report any safeguarding concerns.

4. Scope

This policy covers the safeguarding of all children and adults attending Pedal Perfect Cycling Lessons sessions, including those with additional needs. It applies in all settings where lessons are delivered, including parks, car parks, public spaces, and private premises. It also applies to parents, guardians, or carers present during sessions, and any volunteers or third-party contractors involved in Pedal Perfect activities.

5. Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. Key legislation includes the Children Act 1989 and 2004, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, the Care Act 2014, and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023).

6. How We Will Keep Children and Young People Safe

Pedal Perfect Cycling Lessons will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• Valuing, listening to, and respecting them.
• Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures, and code of conduct.
• Recruiting any volunteers or assistants safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made including enhanced DBS checks before working with children.
• Recording, storing, and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and GDPR.
• Sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families.
• Making sure that children, young people, and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern.
• Using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families, and carers appropriately.
• Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for all participants by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law.
• Building a safeguarding culture where all participants, parents, and families treat each other with respect and are comfortable sharing concerns.

7. Safeguarding Responsibilities

Ravi Tanna - Lead Instructor & Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Ravi holds an enhanced DBS check and is responsible for ensuring the safety and welfare of all participants throughout each session, recognising signs of abuse or neglect, responding to concerns, and maintaining safeguarding records. Contact Email: ridepedalperfect@gmail.com

Parents and Guardians: Parents or guardians are required to remain on-site for the duration of children's sessions to observe and provide any required support, particularly for those with additional needs. Parents are responsible for informing Pedal Perfect Cycling Lessons in advance of any health issues, additional needs, or concerns relevant to their child's participation.

8. Safe Working Practice

To maintain appropriate professional boundaries and protect all participants:

• Lessons will be conducted in open, visible locations wherever possible.
• One-to-one lessons with children will only take place with a parent or guardian present or nearby and with their knowledge and consent.
• Group lessons will have a maximum ratio of 6 participants to 1 coach with parents present. 
• Physical contact will be kept to a minimum and used only when necessary for safety, such as assisting with balance or bike adjustments. Coaches will explain any required physical contact beforehand and will always respect personal boundaries.
• All communications with children will go through a parent or guardian - personal contact details will not be exchanged directly with children.
• Helmets and appropriate protective gear must be worn by all participants during sessions.
• Venues will be assessed for safety risks prior to sessions.
• Photography or video of participants will only take place where consent has been given by participants/parents/guardians during the booking process. Consent can be verbally given or withdrawn during the activity and wishes will be respected.

9. Additional Needs

Pedal Perfect Cycling Lessons welcomes participants of all abilities. Where appropriate, individual plans will be created in collaboration with parents or guardians to ensure specific needs are met and everyone feels included and supported.

10. Recognising Abuse and Neglect

All safeguarding concerns will be taken seriously. The main categories of abuse are physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Signs may include unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour, withdrawal, fearfulness around specific individuals, or direct or indirect disclosures. Online abuse and exploitation are also recognised safeguarding concerns.

11. Responding to a Concern or Disclosure

Concerns regarding safety, abuse, or neglect should be raised immediately with the DSL. If a concern arises - whether through observation, disclosure, or a third-party report, contact the local authority children's social care team or the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). If a child or participant is believed to be in immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted by dialling 999.

12. Managing Allegations Against Staff

Any allegation made against anyone working on behalf of Pedal Perfect Cycling Lessons will be treated seriously. This should be reported immediately to the DSL. Allegations involving a child will be reported immediately to the LADO, contactable through the local council's safeguarding team. Allegations involving an adult at risk will be reported to adult social care.

13. Confidentiality and Record Keeping

All safeguarding concerns will be treated with appropriate confidentiality and recorded securely. Information will be shared only with those who need to know, in line with GDPR and safeguarding protocols. Confidentiality will never be used as a reason to prevent a referral where there is a risk of harm to a child or adult.

14. Code of Conduct

All those working with Pedal Perfect Cycling Lessons will:

• Treat all participants with respect and dignity.
• Avoid one-to-one situations out of view of others wherever possible.
• Never use inappropriate language or behaviour.
• Avoid unnecessary physical contact.
• Remain vigilant for signs of abuse or neglect and report concerns immediately to the DSL.

15. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or following any safeguarding incident or significant change in legislation or guidance. All updates will be communicated to any staff, volunteers, and relevant participants.

Contact Details

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Ravi Tanna  Email: ridepedalperfect@gmail.com

Approved by: Ravi Tanna 

Role: Lead Instructor, Pedal Perfect Cycling Lessons 

Date: 26 February 2026  Review Date: 26 February 2027