ÐÔÊӽ紫ý

We are committed to making British Racing a safer, more supportive and more respectful environment for all.

It is vital thatÌýyoung people involved in racing have a positive and fulfillingÌýexperience whilstÌýengaging in racing activities and are protected from all forms of abuse and harm. Similarly, it is important that ‘adults at risk’ also fully enjoy racing, and they too are protected.

On 13 December 2023, The ÐÔÊӽ紫ýpublished an updated four-year Safeguarding and Human Welfare Strategy, which seeks to protect and promote the safety and well being of everyone involved in British Racing. Covering an initial four-year period, the strategy sets out immediate and longer-term objectives to ensure a safe, respectful, and enjoyable working environment for all, with the highest standards of behaviour and free from any kind of abuse.Ìý The strategy is available to download

The BHA’S key safeguarding principles

1. The ÐÔÊӽ紫ýhas an important role to play, and it too must have the ability to learn of safeguarding concerns, respond to them, investigate them, and take such action as might be necessary to protect Young People and Adults at Risk in the sport.
2. The ÐÔÊӽ紫ýwill work in partnership with local authority social care teams, the police, local safeguarding partners, the Disclosure and Barring Service, Disclosure Scotland, and any other appropriate authorities/bodies in accordance with their procedures, and to enable them to carry out their statutory or other duties to investigate concerns and protect Young People and Adults at Risk in the sport.
3. The ÐÔÊӽ紫ýwill provide appropriate support to stakeholders in racing in improving their safeguarding policies and practices, with a view to achieving high safeguarding standards across racing.
4. The ÐÔÊӽ紫ýwill take all allegations of abuse seriously and respond swiftly and appropriately.
5. The ÐÔÊӽ紫ýwill challenge conduct within racing that is, or might be, harmful to Young People or Adults at Risk.
6. The ÐÔÊӽ紫ýwill support all of those involved in safeguarding cases, any affected Young People and Adults at Risk, their families, and those who report concerns to the BHA.

How to report safeguarding concerns

The ÐÔÊӽ紫ýwishes to receive and actively encourages the making of reports of concerns relating to abuse or poor practice, and it is necessary that it receives such reports. Reports can be made to the ÐÔÊӽ紫ýeither:

Via email to [email protected]; or by telephone to the ÐÔÊӽ紫ýSafeguarding Team on 0207 152 0099, or through the ÐÔÊӽ紫ýSafeguarding Incident Report Form, which can be located in the resources section below.

Anonymous reporting is also available through RaceWise, the BHA’s anonymous reporting service (operated by CrimeStoppers) on 08000 852 580 or through its online reporting form at .

Who is covered by the Safeguarding Policy?

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

This Safeguarding Policy is designed primarily to protect all participants under the age of 18 and Adults at Risk who are engaged in racing and/or related activities overseen by the BHA. Including (but not limited to) the following participants: Jockey Coaches, Owners, Riders, Riders’ Agents, Stable Staff, Trainers, Valets, and ÐÔÊӽ紫ýemployees, officials, and volunteers.

In addition to those who are not performing roles licensed or permitted by, or registered with, the ÐÔÊӽ紫ýbut who are otherwise involved in racing and/or related activities overseen by the BHA. Examples may include (but not be limited to) racecourse officials, and service providers such as veterinarians, medical staff, physiotherapists, nutritionists, farriers etc.

The ÐÔÊӽ紫ýis also committed to supporting any other adult who may suffer from abuse and/or harm in the context of racing and related activities, even if they do not fall within the definition of ‘Adult at Risk’ as set out in the Safeguarding Policy.

What is considered under the Safeguarding Policy?

• Harm and Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Physical Abuse
• Emotional Abuse
• Financial Abuse
• Neglect
• Peer on Peer Abuse
• Positions of Trust
• Poor Practice

For full details of the safeguarding issues that are considered under the , view the policy in the resources section below.

Safeguarding documents and resources: