Club Policies & Standards

Our Accident Report Form can be found by clicking here.
The Chippenham Harriers want to create an environment where everyone involved in our activities feels safe and welcome, to enable them to be the best they can be. We want them to have a positive experience and therefore we want to promote an environment that promotes the wellbeing and safety of athletes above other considerations, including the development of performance.
Health & Safety

Club-Standards-Health-Safety-Policy <- Click Here

As a Club we recognise that we have a duty of care for ensuring all club activity is safe.  Our Health and Safety Policy sets out that health and safety is the responsibility of everyone, all members are expected to familiarise themselves with and comply the Club’s Health and Safety Policy when engaged in Club activities.

In summary club members are expected to:

  • Take responsibility for their own health and safety and behave in a manner when engaged in Club activities which does not put themselves or others at inappropriate risk.
  • Report any accidents/incidents/near miss they are involved in or witness to the relevant session Coach or Leader, the Health and Safety Coordinator, or a Committee Member. They will assist them in the reporting of any incidents.
  • Ensure they are appropriately dressed for the activity/ conditions, make the Coach/Leader aware of any injury or illness which may impact on their ability to engage in training/ activity, and follow the instructions of coach/leaders and Committee Members.
  • During official Club activities when there is limited visibility, e.g. during the autumn/winter period, reflective vests/ bids and/or lights must be worn by all runners. Members may be refused permission to join a Club session if not wearing appropriate high visibility clothing/ lights.
  • Members are encouraged to carry with them personal identification and emergency contact details, this should include details of any medical conditions. This could be via a medical ID function on a mobile phone.

Any questions, concerns or suggestions regarding Health and Safety can be sent to: 

Risk Assessment

Chippenham Harriers Risk Framework (Final March 23) <- Click Here

As a Club we take the management and mitigate of risk seriously, or Risk Assessment Framework sets out the key risks we have identified in relation to our main club sessions and runs, and therefore supports the implementation of our Health and Safety and Welfare and Safeguarding Policies. All Club members are expected to familiarise themselves with the content of this document and their responsibilities in managing and mitigating risk.

Not all risks can be foreseen and therefore our Coaches, Leaders and Volunteers will continue to conduct dynamic risk assessments prior and during Club sessions and activities. Dynamic risk assessment is the continued process of identifying hazards, assessing risk, taking action to eliminate or reduce risk, monitoring and reviewing, in response to changing circumstances.

We will review all risks regularly and at a minimum every 6 months. We welcome feedback and suggestions on risks or mitigations to be included, these can be sent to: 

Welfare and Safeguarding Policy

Club-Standards-Welfare and Safeguarding Policy <- Click Here

Welfare is essential to contribute to good practice within athletics, develop performance and to ensure the safety of athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers. Everyone in athletics has a part to play in safeguarding children and adults at risk.

Welfare covers a wide range of issues such as safeguarding and protecting children, anti-bullying, poor practice in coaching and disciplinary matters. It encompasses policies and procedures to set out minimum standards of expectations, such as codes of conduct, procedures to follow for dealing with child protection concerns, other welfare issues or complaints, and to ensuring the Club meets its statutory responsibilities to safeguard and protect children and adults.

We want to create an environment where everyone involved in our activities feels safe and welcome, to enable them to be the best they can be. We want them to have a positive experience, can enjoy running without the threat of intimidation, victimisation, harassment, or abuse; and everyone knows how they can raise welfare and safeguarding concerns.

Our Welfare and Safeguarding Policy sets out how we will ensure compliance with our legal responsibilities and non-statutory codes of practice and procedures of our national governing bodies.  The policy aims to provide clear guidance on roles and responsibilities in relation to Welfare and Safeguarding and sets out a clear process for our volunteers, members, and parents to raise welfare and safeguarding concerns.

Safeguarding is the responsibility of everybody; and in the case of a child, young person, or vulnerable adult you may have a legal duty to report any concerns that you have or are that are raised with you.

Questions and concerns concerning Welfare and Safeguarding can be raised in confidence with the Club Welfare Officers at: 

Alternatively, safeguarding concerns can be raised with the UK safeguarding team: 

However, If a concern is urgent or a child or a vulnerable adult is at immediate risk, the police should be contacted without delay by dialling 999 or 101

Inclusion Policy

Club-Standards-Inclusion Policy <- Click Here

As a Club we embrace diversity and difference. Our Inclusion Policy states that we want our club to be equally accessible to all members of society, whatever their age, disability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or social/economic status. It states that we will comply with the Equality Act 2010, and that we will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation.

Codes of Conduct

UK Athletics Codes of Conduct set out national standards of conduct for all clubs, coaches, officials volunteers and athletes in sport. Every club, club member and anyone undertaking a role must agree to abide by the codes of conduct either when they join the club as part of the club application process, or when they renew their club membership or UK Athletics license. Members shall at all times abide by the Codes of Conduct, and where a club member does not meet the expectations set out in the codes, disciplinary or performance management may be taken by the Club. The Committee has the power to terminate membership of any club member considered to have brought the club in disrepute, failed to abide by the Codes of Conduct, and/or prove to be a disruptive element to the Club.

Grievance and Disciplinary Policy
Club-Standards- Grievance and Disciplinary Policy <- Click Here
The Clubs’ Grievance and Disciplinary Policy sets out the Clubs’ procedure for handling complaints in relation to misconduct and the behaviour of members. Any complaints of misconduct (improper or unprofessional conduct) regarding the behaviour of Members or Officers shall be dealt with by the Club in accordance with its discipline and appeals process set out in this policy and must be presented in writing to the Secretary (and where the matter relates to the Secretary, the complaint must be submitted to the Welfare Officer).
Privacy Notice

Club-Standards-Privacy-Notice <- Click Here

Chippenham Harriers are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. For any personal data you provide for the purposes of your membership, Chippenham Harriers is the Data Controller and is responsible for storing and otherwise processing that data in a fair, lawful, secure and transparent way. For more information, please see our Privacy Notice
Club Insurance
The rules we, as a club, enforce regarding insurance are as follows. If you have any further questions regarding  insurance, please get in touch.

  • If you are a paid-up member, your membership fees cover the cost of insurance and therefore you are fully insured while taking part in official club activities.
  • If you are not a paid-up member and you join in with official club training sessions, you are considered to be running with the Chippenham Harriers as a guest. In this case, you are not insured and you run at your own risk.
  • Whether you are a paid-up member or not, you are not insured when you run outside of an official club session, neither Chippenham Harriers nor England Athletics are responsible for individual training sessions and has no responsibility towards them.
  • ‘Official club activities’ means training sessions, competitions, administrative meetings, social events and fundraising activities organised by the club.
  • ‘Training sessions’ means Monday Physical Preparation, Tuesday Effort sessions, Wednesday Youth sessions, Thursday Social Runs and Friday Pack Runs/Beginners sessions.
  • Chippenham Harriers is unrelated to any training sessions organised externally, outside of its remit.