Policies & Safeguarding

Ensuring a safe, inclusive, and professional environment for everyone at Bellator Boxing Academy and The Vertex Initiative.

Our Policies

Safeguarding is Everyone's Responsibility

Creating a safe environment is a collective duty. Whether you are a coach, parent, or athlete; protecting our community is a responsibility shared by us all. In cases of concern or abuse, doing nothing is not an option. We actively encourage you to 'Speak Up' if something doesn't feel right.

Child Safeguarding Statement & Policy

PDF

Important Rule

IN CASES OF CONCERN OR ABUSE - DOING NOTHING IS NOT AN OPTION!!!

'SPEAK UP' YOU WILL BE SUPPORTED.

Our Statement

This club has a duty of care to Children and Young People (under 18 years of age) and the safety and welfare of them is paramount. This club is committed to ensuring that every child & young person regardless of age, ability, racial origin, religious belief, sexual orientation or gender (including gender reassignment) has a right to learn, participate in and enjoy boxing, free of the fear and safe from abuse of any type.

What We Will Do

Acknowledge our legal and moral responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of Children and Young People.
Ensure every child has a right to enjoy membership and boxing within a safe enjoyable setting.
Ensure required Coaches, Officials and Volunteers possess a current England Boxing DBS certificate.
Treat seriously and deal rigorously with any incidence of abuse following England Boxing procedures.
Challenge and deal with any inappropriate behaviour regarding Children & Young People.

Emergency Contacts & Helplines

Club Welfare Officers

Neisha Adesiji - Club Welfare Officer

07957 503452

John-Paul Grant - Deputy Club Welfare Officer

07383 393111

National Helplines

NSPCC

Worried about a child? Advice and support whenever you need it.

0808 800 5000

help@nspcc.org.uk

www.nspcc.org.uk

Childline

A free and confidential helpline for children who have concerns.

0800 1111

www.childline.org.uk

Local Authorities & Emergency

Children's Social Care

01582 547653

Police / Out of Hours

101

Emergency

999

A&E

L&D Hospital, Luton LU4 0DZ

Bellator Boxing Academy & The Vertex Initiative CIC

Date Reviewed: 13/04/2026

Download PDF

Adult Safeguarding Statement & Policy

PDF

Our Commitment

Bellator Boxing Academy (BBA) recognises its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of adults at risk who participate in boxing activities. We are committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment where everyone is respected and supported. This policy aligns with the principles of the Care Act 2014 and complements England Boxing's Safeguarding Adults Policy.

Definition of an Adult at Risk

A person aged 18 or over who:

Has needs for care and support.
Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect.
As a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves from the risk or experience of abuse or neglect.

Types of Abuse

Physical abuseSexual abuseEmotional abuseFinancial abuseNeglectDiscriminatoryOrganisationalSelf-neglectDomestic abuseModern slavery

Reporting Concerns

If an adult is at immediate risk of harm, call 999.

Club Safeguarding Reports

Neisha Adesiji - Club Welfare Officer

07957 503452

John-Paul Grant - Deputy Club Welfare Officer

07383 393111

bellatorboxingacademy@gmail.com

External Safeguarding Reports

England Boxing Safeguarding Team

0114 2235654

Luton Adult Social Care

01582 547659

Out of Hours

0300 3008123

Bellator Boxing Academy & The Vertex Initiative CIC

Date Reviewed: 16/03/2026

Download PDF

England Boxing Best Practice – Code of Conduct

PDF

This Code of Conduct outlines the best practices expected from all coaches and volunteers at Bellator Boxing Academy to ensure a safe, supportive, and professional environment.

Always Do

Work in an open environment and encourage open communication.
Challenge injustice and treat everyone equally with respect and dignity.
Put the welfare of the child first, before winning or achieving goals.
Recognise the developmental capacity of the child (do not push against their will).
Maintain a safe and appropriate distance with athletes.
Make sport fun, enjoyable and promote fair play.
Ensure physical support is provided openly according to guidelines.
Keep up to date with technical skills, qualifications and insurance.
Involve parents and carers wherever possible.
Keep a written record of any injury and treatment given.

Never Do

Spend excessive amounts of time alone with a child away from others.
Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games / horseplay.
Share a room with a Child or Young Person.
Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching.
Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
Make sexually suggestive comments, even in fun.
Upset or reduce a child to tears as a form of control.
Fail to act upon and record any allegations made by a child.

Recommended Coach/Athlete Ratios

Children under 11 years of age1:10

Children over 10 years of age1:12

There must be at least 2 adults present at any one time for groups of 6 or more.

Mixed gender groups must have at least one male and one female present.

Bellator Boxing Academy & The Vertex Initiative CIC

Download PDF

Equality Policy Statement

PDF

Our Beliefs

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are fundamental to the integrity and success of sport. Everyone should have equal access to opportunities and facilities, and no one should be disadvantaged due to personal characteristics or background. Promoting an inclusive culture enhances personal development and strengthens community cohesion.

Anti-Discriminatory Practice

We arecommitted to anti-discriminatory practices in all areas of our operations.
We actively challenge and eliminate discrimination based on:

AgeDisabilityGender identityRace and ethnicityReligion or beliefSexual orientationSocioeconomic background

Ensuring Non-Discrimination

All policies and procedures are regularly reviewed for fairness and inclusivity.
Members and staff receive training on EDI principles and how to implement them.
Clear reporting mechanisms exist for any breaches of this policy.
We ensure equitable access to coaching, facilities, events, and leadership opportunities.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead

Michelle Nelson - Director & Head Coach

michellenelson.pt@gmail.com

Bellator Boxing Academy & The Vertex Initiative CIC

Date Reviewed: 16/03/2026

Download PDF

Complaints Policy

PDF

This policy tells you how to make a complaint at Bellator Boxing Academy. This could be because you think that someone has behaved in a way that is unsafe, unprofessional, discriminatory, offensive or intimidating. It could be because someone has broken important rules or policies.
We will always give priority to concerns that affect safety and welfare. Issues affecting children will be treated very seriously.

Values & Principles

You have the right to complain, we take complaints seriously. You should not be harassed, bullied or put at a disadvantage because of making a complaint.

Equality

You will receive a proper response to your complaint, regardless of your age, gender, disability, race, religion, nationality, social status, sexual orientation or political persuasion.

Safety and Fairness

Complaints should be dealt with fairly and openly, unless it would put other people at risk. Those affected by a complaint should have a chance to contribute and respond to any investigation.

Confidentiality

We treat complaints as confidentially as possible. If there's a risk to a person or member of the public, we may pass concerns to relevant authorities such as the Police, Social Services or England Boxing.

How to Make a Complaint

It is often best to start by having a conversation with someone at Bellator Boxing Academy. You can speak to:

Coaches: Any coach can tell you how to make a complaint.

Welfare Officer: If you are a child, or worried about the safety of a child.

Committee: You can speak to any of our management committee members.

bellatorboxingacademy@gmail.com

Address for Written Complaints

Lewsey Sports Park Gym,
Pastures Way,
Luton, LU4 0PF

Bellator Boxing Academy & The Vertex Initiative CIC

Download PDF

The sections above provide a summary of our core safeguarding rules, code of conduct, and reporting procedures. Complete details are available in the full PDF documents for each policy.

Contact Directory

Important Contact Information

Quick access to all welfare officers, local authorities, and support helplines mentioned across our policies.

Club Contact Information

Neisha Adesiji - Club Welfare Officer

Michelle Nelson - Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead

michellenelson.pt@gmail.com

Bellator Boxing Academy, Pastures Way, Luton, LU4 0PF

bellatorboxingacademy@gmail.com

Local Authorities

Children's Social Care

01582 547653

Out of hours: 0300 3008123

Adult Social Care

01582 547659

Out of hours: 0300 3008123

Police Child Protection

101

Local Police 'Out of hours'

101

Emergency

999

Nearest A&E

L&D Hospital, 31 Lewsey Rd, Luton, LU4 0DZ

01582 491166

Support Helplines

NSPCC

Worried about a child? Advice and support whenever you need it.

0808 800 5000

help@nspcc.org.uk

www.nspcc.org.uk

Childline

A free and confidential helpline for children who have concerns.

0800 1111

www.childline.org.uk

England Boxing

Ben Malcher - Regional Safeguarding Officer

07809 410692

Paul Smith - National Compliance and Safeguarding Manager

07590 600001

England Boxing Safeguarding Team

0114 2235654