SSPSK Safeguarding Policy

The Speed Stacking Professional Society of Kenya (SSPSK) is committed to the safety and welfare of every child who takes part in any SSPSK programme, at any school, at any time. This policy applies to every SSPSK coach, staff member, volunteer and Board member, and to every child who participates in an SSPSK club or event.

This policy is grounded in the Children Act, 2022 (Kenya) and the Data Protection Act, 2019 (Kenya). A child is anyone under 18. Every adult who has care or authority over a child has a duty to protect that child, whether they are a teacher, a parent or a coach.

Every SSPSK coach must complete the Safe Stacks: Child Safeguarding for Coaches programme before coaching at any school, and must follow the Coach's Code of Conduct. A coach who has not completed the programme may not coach in an SSPSK club.

SSPSK's Safeguarding Focal Point is Gilbert Kipkemoi Kiprop (Chairman, Speed Stacking Professional Society of Kenya, and SSPSK Safeguarding Focal Point); contact details are being confirmed by SSPSK. Any concern about a child is raised with the Focal Point the same day it arises. The Focal Point decides whether to inform the school, the child's parents, the Children's Office or the police. No coach may investigate a concern, contact the family directly, or promise a child secrecy. See the contact sheet.

SSPSK coaches may not:

• be alone with a child where they cannot be seen by another adult or child
• give a gift, reward or favour to one child in secret
• communicate privately with a child by phone, WhatsApp, social media or any other channel, or add a child to a group chat
• use physical punishment or any form of physical discipline
• take, share or publish a photo or video of a child without written parental consent for that specific use, the school's permission and SSPSK's approval

SSPSK collects only what a club needs: the child's name, the parent's name and phone number, an emergency contact, and any medical note relevant to stacking. Consent is given by a parent or guardian on the Parental Consent Form, use by use. A consent for one use is not consent for another.

Concerns raised under this policy are treated confidentially. Records are stored securely and separately from other SSPSK records, and shared only with those who need to know.

The SSPSK Board reviews this policy every year, or sooner if Kenyan law changes or a concern warrants it.

Approved by the SSPSK Board.

Signed: Gilbert Kipkemoi Kiprop, Chairman. Date: to be completed on approval.