Client Safeguarding Policy

Compass Motorcycle Excellence
Website: www.compass.me.uk
Policy applies to: All clients and instructors
Status: Adult Client Safeguarding Policy

1. Policy Statement

Compass Motorcycle Excellence is committed to providing a safe, respectful and professional environment for all clients undertaking motorcycle training.

All Compass Motorcycle Excellence clients are adults aged 18 or over and training is normally provided on a one-to-one basis with a male motorcycle instructor. We recognise that adults may nevertheless have circumstances, disabilities, personal vulnerabilities or care and support needs that could increase their risk of harm, abuse, exploitation or neglect.

Safeguarding means protecting an adult's right to live and participate in activities safely and free from abuse or neglect, while respecting their independence, choices, dignity and privacy.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all motorcycle training, assessments, coaching, demonstrations, road riding and other activities undertaken through Compass Motorcycle Excellence.

Although clients are adults, safeguarding concerns will be taken seriously regardless of gender, disability, personal circumstances, background or individual needs.

3. Professional Boundaries

Because training is generally delivered on a one-to-one basis, the instructor will maintain clear professional boundaries at all times.

The instructor will:

  • Treat every client with dignity, courtesy and respect.

  • Use professional and appropriate language and behaviour.

  • Avoid unnecessary physical contact.

  • Explain any physical intervention that may be necessary for immediate safety, where circumstances permit.

  • Respect the client's personal space, privacy and confidentiality.

  • Avoid inappropriate personal, sexual or discriminatory comments, conversations or behaviour.

  • Maintain appropriate professional communication with clients outside training sessions.

  • Avoid developing inappropriate personal or financial relationships with clients.

The fact that the instructor and client may be of different genders will not affect the standards of professional conduct expected.

4. Types of Safeguarding Concern

Concerns may include, but are not limited to:

  • Physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse.

  • Financial abuse or exploitation.

  • Discriminatory abuse.

  • Harassment, intimidation or inappropriate behaviour.

  • Neglect or self-neglect.

  • Exploitation or coercive behaviour.

  • Abuse by another person in the client's personal or professional life.

  • Concerns arising from a client's inability to protect themselves from significant harm.

Compass Motorcycle Excellence will take concerns seriously and respond proportionately, while respecting the client's wishes wherever possible.

5. Recognising and Reporting Concerns

If a client discloses a safeguarding concern, or the instructor becomes concerned that a client may be at risk of harm, the instructor will:

  1. Listen calmly and respectfully.

  2. Take the concern seriously.

  3. Avoid making promises of absolute confidentiality.

  4. Avoid investigating or questioning the client unnecessarily.

  5. Record relevant factual information as soon as reasonably practicable.

  6. Consider the client's immediate safety.

  7. Where appropriate, encourage the client to seek support from the relevant safeguarding authority, Police, NHS or another appropriate organisation.

  8. Contact the Police or emergency services where there is an immediate risk of serious harm or a criminal offence requiring urgent intervention.

Adult safeguarding guidance emphasises a personalised and proportionate response which involves the adult in decisions about what happens wherever possible.

6. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Safeguarding information will be treated sensitively and stored securely.

Information will normally only be shared with the client's consent and where necessary for an appropriate purpose. However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where disclosure is necessary to prevent serious harm, protect another person, comply with a legal obligation, or where the Police or another statutory authority requires relevant information.

Any safeguarding records will be handled in accordance with Compass Motorcycle Excellence's Privacy Policy and GDPR/Data Protection Policy.

7. Equality and Respect

Compass Motorcycle Excellence welcomes clients of every gender and is committed to treating everyone fairly and with respect.

No client will be subjected to discrimination, harassment or inappropriate treatment because of gender, disability, race, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate to enable clients to participate safely in training.

8. Instructor Responsibilities

The instructor is responsible for maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, recognising safeguarding concerns and taking appropriate action.

Where a concern relates to the instructor themselves, the matter will be referred to an appropriate external authority, such as the Police or the relevant local authority safeguarding service, as appropriate.

Compass Motorcycle Excellence will cooperate with legitimate safeguarding enquiries and statutory authorities.

9. Review

This policy will be reviewed periodically and amended where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, training arrangements or good safeguarding practice.

Compass Motorcycle Excellence is committed to protecting the dignity, safety, wellbeing and individual rights of every client while supporting adults to make informed choices and participate safely in motorcycle training.

Policy reviewed: September 2026

Compass ME Instructor