Safeguarding Adults Policy

Vernyoga – Movement & Wellness Coaching

Policy owner: Vernyoga
 

1. Purpose

Vernyoga is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all adults participating in its fitness, Pilates, Zumba Gold, yoga, yoga therapy and holistic therapy services.

Safeguarding means taking reasonable steps to protect people from abuse, neglect, exploitation, harm and inappropriate behaviour, while respecting an individual's independence, dignity, choice and right to make their own decisions.

This policy is intended to be proportionate to the nature of the services provided. Vernyoga is an independent practitioner and is not a medical, social care or residential care provider.

 

2. Services covered

This policy applies to:

Zumba and Zumba Gold classes

• Fitness and Pilates classes

• Yoga classes

• Yoga therapy

• Menopause-related yoga, movement and education

• Holistic and complementary therapies

• One-to-one sessions

• Online and hybrid sessions where applicable

Participants are predominantly adults and may include older adults or people with disabilities, mobility limitations or other additional needs.

Children’s yoga and dance is also a Vernyoga service but offered with a different safeguarding policy.

 

3. Our approach to safeguarding

Vernyoga aims to:

• Provide a welcoming environment in which participants are treated with dignity and respect.

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

• Provide activities appropriate to the nature and ability of the participant.

• Encourage participants to work within their own capabilities.

• Make reasonable adaptations where appropriate.

• Take concerns about abuse, neglect or exploitation seriously.

• Respond appropriately to disclosures or concerns rather than attempting to investigate them.

• Signpost or refer concerns to an appropriate safeguarding authority or organisation when necessary.

Safeguarding is about creating a safe environment, not assuming responsibility for every aspect of a participant's personal welfare.

 

4. Zumba Gold, fitness, Pilates, yoga and physical activity

Zumba Gold and other fitness classes may include older adults and participants with varying levels of mobility and fitness.

To reduce avoidable risks:

• Participants are encouraged to disclose relevant health or mobility information before participating.

• Exercises and movements are demonstrated with appropriate modifications where possible.

• Participants are reminded that they should work within their own ability and stop if they feel unwell, dizzy, experience pain or otherwise feel unsafe.

• Seated or lower-impact alternatives may be offered where appropriate.

• The instructor monitors the general safety of the class and responds to obvious signs of distress or illness.

• The venue, equipment and working space are checked for obvious hazards.

Participants remain responsible for informing the instructor of relevant changes in their health and for following appropriate medical advice.

Vernyoga does not undertake medical examinations or ongoing assessment of participants' health.

 

5. Recognising safeguarding concerns

1. Safeguarding concerns may include, but are not limited to:

2. Physical abuse

3. Emotional or psychological abuse

4. Sexual abuse

5. Financial abuse

6. Neglect or acts of omission

7. Domestic abuse

8. Discriminatory abuse

9. Organisational or institutional abuse

10. Self-neglect

11. Exploitation

12. Coercive or controlling behaviour
     

A safeguarding concern may arise from something a participant says, something the instructor observes, or information disclosed by another person.

The presence of an injury, bruise or other physical mark does not in itself constitute a safeguarding concern. Participants may experience ordinary accidents, falls or medical conditions. Vernyoga does not routinely inspect participants for injuries or attempt to establish the cause of an injury.

Where a participant voluntarily discloses information that raises a genuine safeguarding concern, the information will be taken seriously and appropriate advice will be sought.

 

6. Responding to a disclosure or concern

If an adult raises a safeguarding concern, the instructor will:

1. Listen calmly and respectfully.

2. Allow the person to explain what has happened in their own words.

3. Avoid leading questions or attempting to investigate.

4. Avoid promising absolute confidentiality.

5. Explain, where appropriate, that information may need to be shared if someone is at risk of serious harm.

6. Make a factual record of the concern as soon as reasonably possible.

7. Seek appropriate safeguarding advice or make a referral where necessary.

The instructor will not attempt to investigate allegations, determine whether abuse has occurred, confront an alleged perpetrator or take on the role of social worker or care professional.

 

7. Professional boundaries

Vernyoga maintains clear professional boundaries with all participants.

The practitioner has professional training in yoga, yoga therapy, fitness, massage/holistic therapies and counselling. These qualifications do not mean that every participant is receiving counselling or therapeutic mental-health support.

Where counselling or therapeutic services are provided, they are provided within the appropriate professional relationship, scope of practice and relevant professional boundaries.

Information disclosed casually during a fitness, yoga or social setting will not automatically create a counselling relationship.

Physical contact, where relevant to the service being provided, will be appropriate, professional, explained and, where necessary, based on the participant's consent.

 

8. Confidentiality and information sharing

Personal information will be treated respectfully and kept appropriately confidential.

However, confidentiality is not absolute where there is a safeguarding concern.

Information may be shared with an appropriate organisation or safeguarding authority where this is necessary and proportionate to protect an individual from harm.

Information will be recorded and shared only to the extent reasonably necessary.

 

9. Emergency situations

Safeguarding concerns are separate from immediate medical emergencies.

If a participant becomes seriously unwell, injured or appears to be in immediate danger, appropriate emergency assistance will be sought, including contacting 999 where necessary.

The instructor will act within their level of training and competence and will not attempt to provide medical treatment beyond that competence.

 

10. Safeguarding responsibilities

Vernyoga is an independent practitioner rather than an employee or volunteer of venues in which classes are held.

Where classes take place in a community centre or other organisation's premises, the venue remains responsible for its own organisational safeguarding arrangements, including identifying its designated safeguarding lead and providing appropriate procedures for concerns relating to the venue or its staff, volunteers and activities.

Where Vernyoga has a safeguarding concern concerning a participant, advice will be sought from the appropriate local authority safeguarding service or other appropriate safeguarding organisation.

 

11. Safeguarding Lead

As an independent practitioner/sole trader, I am responsible for maintaining appropriate safeguarding procedures within my own services.

Where a venue or organisation provides a designated Safeguarding Lead, I will work with that person where a concern relates to the venue, its staff, volunteers or activities taking place there.

I will not assume responsibility for the safeguarding arrangements of a venue or organisation simply because I hire its premises.

Where a concern involves me personally, the venue's Safeguarding Lead or the relevant local authority safeguarding service should be contacted directly.

​

12. Confidentiality and Record Keeping

Safeguarding information will be treated sensitively and shared only where there is an appropriate reason to do so.

Records will be factual, objective and limited to information relevant to the concern.

Information will be stored securely and handled in accordance with applicable data-protection requirements.

 

13. Allegations concerning the practitioner

If a safeguarding concern or allegation is made concerning the practitioner, the matter will not be investigated by the practitioner themselves.

Advice will be sought from the appropriate safeguarding authority or relevant professional/organisational body.

​

14. Training and review

The practitioner maintains appropriate professional training and continuing professional development relevant to the services provided.

Safeguarding knowledge and procedures will be reviewed periodically and this policy will be reviewed at least annually or sooner if circumstances, legislation or guidance change.