Safeguarding & Student Welfare

Pending review. This statement is a working draft. Because it concerns the care of minors living away from home, it must be reviewed by the safeguarding lead and by a qualified lawyer, and aligned with ESC American School’s own policy, before publication.

Total Sports – Spain Soccer Academy is a residential program for students aged 12 to 18. Every student on the program is a minor in our care, living away from their family. This statement sets out how they are looked after and what a family should do if something concerns them.

1. Our commitment

The welfare of every student comes before any sporting or academic objective. No result, selection or schedule justifies compromising a student’s safety, health or dignity.

2. Who is responsible

• Residence team — daily supervision of students on campus, including overnight cover.
• Total Sports coordinator — a dedicated member of staff who is the main point of contact for families and accompanies students during medical or welfare incidents.
• Safeguarding lead — the named person with overall responsibility for safeguarding decisions. [Name and direct contact to be added.]
• ESC American School — responsible for safeguarding within the academic program and its own premises.

3. Staff, checks and training

All staff working with students hold the criminal-record certificate for work with minors required by Spanish law (Certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual), and are briefed on this statement and the conduct expected of them before contact with students begins.

4. Supervision and leaving campus

Students are supervised by the residence team throughout the day and overnight. Departures from campus require prior authorisation from a parent or legal guardian and are recorded. Age-appropriate limits on independent movement are set with the family at the start of the program.

5. Health, medical care and emergencies

• Medical and sports insurance is included for every student, subject to policy terms.
• A 24-hour emergency telephone is available to families.
• The Total Sports coordinator supports and accompanies a student during a medical emergency and informs the family without delay.
• Full health information — conditions, medication, allergies and dietary requirements — must be provided before arrival.

6. Raising a concern

Anyone — a student, a parent, a member of staff or a third party — can raise a welfare concern. Concerns can be raised:

• In person with any member of the residence or coordination team;
• By email to safeguarding@totalsportsgroup.es;
• By telephone on the emergency line.

A concern will be acknowledged, recorded, and handled by the safeguarding lead. Where a concern indicates a risk to a child, it is reported to the competent Spanish authorities. Reporting in good faith never disadvantages the person who reports.

7. Behaviour we do not accept

Bullying, harassment, discrimination, hazing, physical punishment, humiliation and any form of abuse are prohibited, whether between students or involving staff. Breaches are investigated and may result in removal from the program without refund, and in referral to the authorities where the law requires it.

8. Data and privacy

Information about a student’s welfare is confidential and shared only with those who need it to protect the student, or where the law requires disclosure. See the Privacy Policy for how personal and health data is handled.

9. Contact

Safeguarding lead — safeguarding@totalsportsgroup.es