Safeguarding

‘Safeguarding’ is something that everyone needs to be aware of. Safeguarding means protecting a person's health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.

Safeguarding concerns could include anything relating to:

• Abuse - physical/sexual/psychological/financial
• Discrimination
• Radicalisation
• Bullying
• Mental health issues

You can find the FEI’s Safeguarding Policy against Harassment and Abuse here.

The FEI defines Harassment or Abuse as i) psychological abuse, ii) physical abuse, iii) sexual harassment, iv) sexual abuse, and v) neglect.

All National Federations should have a Safeguarding policy in place (in the US this is called SafeSport), and as a groom you are protected by these policies too.

Most countries will have laws which cover Safeguarding concerns, and serious breaches of Safeguarding are a legal matter.

Safeguarding children

Many grooms start working in horse sport when they are under 18 – which means they are still legally viewed as ‘children’.

It is really important for the child (and any adult who works with them) that Safeguarding guidelines are followed.

For instance, if you are going to a stay-away show, and taking your 17-year-old apprentice, that apprentice should not be sleeping in a room or sharing space in the truck living with any adult.

Safeguarding adults

Safeguarding considerations don’t just apply to children; young adults (up to 25) and ‘vulnerable’ adults (people with hidden or visible disabilities) must also be considered.

Why does this affect me?

Safeguarding policies cover incidents which range from inappropriate (such as using unsuitable language around a child) to criminal (such as physical or sexual assault).

If you work with other people you should be aware of Safeguarding and what is and isn’t appropriate language and behaviour when dealing with younger or vulnerable people.

This has been a big area of concern for coaches in many countries; but it is not only young athletes who must be protected by Safeguarding policy.

Grooms can be vulnerable to harassment or abuse because of the power dynamic with their employer or manager.

How do I report Safeguarding concerns?

You can use the FEI Incident Report form. This can be done anonymously, although for the FEI to investigate any such reports they are likely to need names of individuals concerned.

You can also report any incidents or concerns to your National Federation. In the event of an investigation, the NF and the FEI will work with one another and any other authorities that might need to be involved, for instance if there are allegations of criminal behaviour.

Safeguarding issues you might encounter

Personal comments from senior staff

You are 18, and have been working on a jumping yard for 6 months. Your yard manager has made a few comments about your weight and appearance, and this is making you feel uncomfortable.

This is inappropriate behaviour from a manager and is a potential Safeguarding issue.

If there is a trusted adult you can talk to, discuss your concerns with them, and they can help you to find a way to resolve this. If there is a senior manager who you can speak to, you should report your concerns to them.

Sharing accommodation with a child

You are a male in your 30s, and work as a competition groom. As you are taking a lot of horses to your next show your boss wants to take the 17-year-old working pupil to assist you. Your boss says it will be fine for you to share the truck with him, as he is also male.

It would be unwise for you to accept this sleeping arrangement, as you should not be alone with an underage person, especially in a sleeping area.

An allegation of any sort of sexual harassment is hard to disprove and could have a long term effect on your career.

If you are working with under 18s it is a good idea to do Safeguarding training, and you may be required to have a criminal record check depending what country you are working in.

You have witnessed bullying

Your employer has just employed a new groom who is 20 and non binary. You have heard some of the other grooms making comments to this groom, both on the yard and in their shared accommodation.

This is bullying, and depending on the nature of the comments could be classed as sexual harassment.

This should be reported to your employer and the staff must all receive training about what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour and language.

Depending on the severity of the behaviour this could be a disciplinary matter.

Your boss is abusive

You have been working for your boss for a year. You have not been paid the agreed amount for the last two months. When you try to speak to your boss about this, he gets angry, and shouts and swears at you.

He often tells you that you will never be able to get another job in horse sport anyway.

This is not only illegal, but it is also financial and psychological abuse. You should leave this job as soon as possible and consider reporting this employer to the relevant authorities and your National Federation.

You have seen your boss behaving in a worrying way

You work for a well known coach who trains a lot of junior riders. More than once, you have seen young riders in tears during training sessions, and your boss often speaks to them alone in the tack room with the door closed.

As a groom you may be in a position to see things that are hidden from parents. This behaviour is a significant Safeguarding concern.

Though it is very difficult because you might have concerns about your job security this behaviour should at the very least be flagged with the parents of the children concerned.

Working with children

Your boss has taken on a friend’s 15 year old daughter for work experience. He is going to a show and wants her to work with you on the yard at home. There will be no one else on the property.

In some countries you might be required to undergo a criminal record check to work with children. Ideally you would not be working alone with a child; this is for both of your protection.

You should raise your concerns with your employer about this situation.