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SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Gracie Barra Greenwich

Gracie Barra Greenwich is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all

children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We recognise our responsibility to take all

reasonable steps to ensure a safe and positive training environment.

1. Policy Statement

This policy applies to all instructors, staff, volunteers, students, parents, and visitors.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and all concerns must be acted upon.

2. Legal Framework

This policy is based on UK safeguarding legislation and guidance, including the Children Act

1989 & 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and CPSU / NSPCC guidance for sports

clubs.

3. Designated Safeguarding Lead

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at Gracie Barra Greenwich is Professor Alexander

Giannozzi. The DSL is responsible for receiving, recording, and reporting safeguarding concerns

in line with this policy and external guidance.

4. Recognising Abuse

Abuse may be physical, emotional, sexual, neglectful, or involve bullying or exploitation. All

members should remain vigilant and report concerns.

5. Responding to a Disclosure

If a child or vulnerable adult discloses information, listen carefully, remain calm, do not promise

confidentiality, record the information accurately, and report immediately to the DSL.

6. Reporting Concerns

All concerns must be reported to the DSL as soon as possible. If a child is in immediate danger,

call 999.

7. Confidentiality & Record Keeping

All safeguarding records will be stored securely and shared only with appropriate authorities on a

need-to-know basis.

8. Code of Conduct All staff and instructors must act as positive role models, maintain professional boundaries, and

adhere to Gracie Barra values at all times.

9. Review of Policy

This policy will be reviewed annually or following any safeguarding incident or change in legislation 

Membership Terms and Conditions

Unless attending a free trial class, a monthly membership subscription or a pre-paid training pass is required to train at Gracie Barra GREENWICH

1.0 Monthly Memberships:

1. Monthly membership subscriptions will be collected automatically every month via the credit/debit card payment processor SQUARE PAYMENTS
   
2. Your membership will continue automatically unless you terminate your membership by contacting us with a 30 days’ notice.
3. A 1 calendar month notice period is required for all monthly paid membership subscriptions.
   
4. Gracie Barra Bromley reserves the right to charge a £10 administration fee in the event of failed membership subscription payments.
5. Payments overdue for more than 45 days may be passed to a debt recovery agency.
6. Gracie Barra GREENWICH reserves the right to terminate any membership without notice should terms in section Code of Conduct be breached by a member or parent.
7. Membership subscriptions can not be placed on a freeze/hold – unless agreed in writing by Gracie Barra Greenwich
8. In the event of the ‘member’ being a minor (under the age of 18) the bill payer/parent guardian agrees to the terms and conditions of membership subscription at Gracie Barra Greenwich on their behalf and is obligated to fulfill this agreement.

2.0 Freezing a monthly membership subscription:

Membership freezes, where applicable are only available for monthly subscribed members and will not be granted on pre-paid passes or class packs.

Memberships at Gracie Barra Greenwich may only be placed on hold or temporarily frozen in the event of an injury. Appropriate medical documentation will be required to process such request. 

Important Note:

Please note that family holidays or extended periods of travel do not constitute valid reasons for placing a membership on hold or freeze at Gracie Barra Greemwich.

1. Special Exemptions:

• Pregnancy: Members are able to freeze their membership for up to 12 months during or after pregnancy should they wish. Freeze periods must be agreed in advance.
• Injured during training or competition: Should a member be injured during training at Gracie Barra Greenwich or whilst competing for Gracie Barra Greenwich, their membership will be frozen until the member can return to training. Gracie Barra Greenwich reserves the right to request evidence from your medical professional.

1. Freeze requests must be given in writing to graciebarragreenwich@gmail.com and will be assessed on an individual basis with a member of the Gracie Barra Greenwich team.

3.0 Training Waiver.

All members or parent/guardians will agree when purchasing a membership to the following liability waiver:

“As a participating adult or parent/guardian of a participating child, I hereby acknowledge and understand that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a physical activity and learning self-defence skills involves some physical contact. Gracie Barra Greenwich and or it’s staff and students are not to be held liable or responsible for any risks and/or injuries as a result of training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.”

4.0 Whatsapp Group :

1. Members and parents will be opted in to the Gracie Barra Greenwich WhatsApp group to support quick and effective communication to members. Should you wish to not be added to these groups, please either inform one of the team or feel free to remove yourself.

5.0 Changes to membership pricing and timetabled classes:

1. 1. Gracie Barra Greenwich reserves the right to review and change its membership fees when it is deemed necessary.
   2. Gracie Barra Greenwich reserves the right to change its class schedule as it sees appropriate.
   3. Any increase in membership fees and therefore change to the existing monthly members direct debit payments; will be communicated more than 30 days in advance to allow cancellation requests to be issued if required.
   4. Changes to membership pricing will not effect pre-paid membership plans such as annual membership or block class passes until their expiration.

• Founder members  will be exempt from price changes .

6.0 The Gracie Barra Uniform:

The Gracie Barra uniform is an essential part of the culture and community within our academy. It promotes equality and a sense of team spirit. When we step on the mat, we are all equal. Therefore, all members will be expected to wear the Gracie Barra uniform, which consists of:

• GB Kimono and Rashguard for Gi classes
• GB Rashguard and NoGi shorts for NoGi classes.

7.0 Code of conduct:

It is the mission of Gracie Barra Greenwich to provide a safe, positive and welcoming environment for its staff, members and visitors. All students, parents and visitors to the academy will be expected to contribute toward this environment. This includes but is not limited too:

1. No use of foul or offensive language within the academy.
2. Not too intentionally behave in a manner that is intimidating or offensive to staff, members or visitors.
3. To treat all persons with respect and to not discriminate against any person or group regardless of age, race, religion, gender identity, sexuality, disability or political disposition.
4. To treat the academy with respect.
5. Not to wear shoes on the mats.
6. Participating members must abide by the Gracie Barra greenwich Training and Hygiene Commitment. 
7. Parents should not coach from the edge of the mat area, or come onto the mat area unless encouraged to do so by a member of the Gracie Barra Bromley team.
8. Parents should support and reinforce the lessons taught by our instructors.

8.0 Temporary Academy Closure for Public Holidays:

1. Gracie Barra Greenwich reserves the right to close and/or offer reduced services on public holidays.

1. Gracie Barra Greenwich will not issue partial refunds on membership for temporary closure or reduced services on public holidays/Christmas shutdown periods. 

1. 3. Gracie Barra Greenwich reserves the right to shut down for 7 days each Christmas and may offer reduced services from 22nd December to 4th January.

9.0 Complaints & Feedback:

1. In the event that you wish to raise a formal complaint or give constructive feedback please do not hesitate to contact us at graciebarragreenwich@gmail.com. Complaints must be made in writing. We take complaints and feedback extremely seriously and offer complete confidentiality. We will endeavour to put right any issues where we feel the fault lies with Gracie Barra Greenwich or a member of our team. 
2. Where we feel that communication from members is not appropriate, abusive or continuous after resolution, we reserve the right to cease communication and/or if appropriate, terminate membership. Gracie Barra Greenwich will review its terms and conditions not less than annually or at any significant event.