Worried about someone? Speak up.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. At a circuit, also alert the event officials or emergency team. Do not wait for a reply from DER.
You do not need proof to raise a safeguarding concern. If something feels wrong, or a child or adult at risk tells you something worrying, take it seriously and seek help promptly.
DER safeguarding contact: Dave Edwards. Dave has completed the Motorsport UK Safeguarding course and acts as the team's safeguarding contact.
These are direct team contact details, not an emergency or continuously monitored service. For sensitive information, ask Dave to arrange a private conversation rather than posting details in a group chat or social media comment.
You can contact Motorsport UK independently at any time: call 01753 765000 and ask for the Safeguarding Team, email safeguarding@motorsportuk.org, or use its reporting page. You can also speak to the event's Club Safeguarding Officer.
Our commitment
Safeguarding comes before performance, results or commercial interests. DER is committed to protecting children and adults at risk from abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, neglect and exploitation. Everyone should be able to enjoy karting without being frightened, humiliated or pressured into situations that make them unsafe.
This policy applies to the team, coaches, mechanics, volunteers, drivers and families taking part in DER activities, including experience days, Academy sessions, testing, race weekends, travel arranged by DER and online coaching. A child is anyone under 18. An adult may be at risk because of their circumstances or care and support needs; concerns about their welfare also deserve attention.
Standards we expect
- Treat every driver fairly and respectfully, regardless of ability, background, disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.
- Coach constructively. Shouting abuse, threats, sexual comments, discriminatory language, hazing and deliberately humiliating a driver are unacceptable.
- Listen when a driver says they are uncomfortable, frightened, tired or unwell. No one should be pressured to drive when it is unsafe.
- Keep appropriate boundaries between adults and young drivers. Any necessary hands-on help with equipment should be explained first and the driver's comfort respected.
- Challenge unsafe or inappropriate behaviour and report concerns, even if the person involved is a friend, colleague or successful competitor.
Coaching, supervision and communication
Coaching with under-18s should take place in an open, observable environment. Avoid isolated one-to-one situations; involve a parent, guardian or another appropriate adult where needed. Parents and guardians should confirm supervision, collection arrangements and any relevant medical or support needs with the team before an activity. A booking does not automatically include childcare, overnight supervision or transport.
Messages about an under-18's participation should include their parent or guardian and stay relevant to karting. Do not use disappearing messages or private personal chats with children. For online sessions, including group Zoom calls, agree access and parental awareness beforehand, use appropriate language and backgrounds, and do not record without agreement.
Changing and toilet areas must remain private. Photography, filming and unnecessary adult access in these areas are not acceptable. Any travel or overnight arrangements involving a young driver must be discussed with their parent or guardian in advance, with clear responsibility for supervision.
Booking arrangements for under-18s
All booking arrangements for drivers under 18 will be clearly communicated to their parent or guardian before the event. This includes the event dates and venue, costs and payment arrangements, travel and accommodation where applicable, room allocations, supervision, collection arrangements and emergency contact details. Parents and guardians will have the opportunity to ask questions and confirm the arrangements in advance. Any subsequent changes will be communicated promptly and, where agreement is required, confirmed before they take effect.
Recognising Abuse and Poor Practice
Safeguarding concerns can arise both within and outside motorsport, including at home, school, online, during travel or at race events.
Concerns may involve physical, emotional or sexual abuse, neglect, domestic abuse, bullying or cyberbullying, discrimination, financial abuse, inappropriate behaviour, poor practice or breaches of Motorsport UK's Race with Respect Code of Conduct.
Some individuals may be particularly vulnerable because of their age, disability, health, personal circumstances or lack of an appropriate support network.
All DER personnel have a responsibility to remain alert to potential safeguarding concerns and report them appropriately. It is not necessary to establish proof of abuse before reporting a genuine concern.
Staff suitability and safeguarding checks
DER is committed to ensuring that all coaches, mechanics, team personnel and volunteers working with young drivers are suitable for their responsibilities.
Appropriate safeguarding checks, including Enhanced DBS checks and barred-list checks where the role is eligible and requires them, will be undertaken in accordance with applicable legislation and Motorsport UK requirements.
All personnel are expected to understand and follow DER's safeguarding policy, maintain professional boundaries and complete appropriate safeguarding awareness training.
DER reserves the right to restrict or remove an individual's duties where safeguarding concerns arise, pending appropriate advice and assessment.
Safeguarding responsibilities apply equally to permanent staff, temporary personnel, visiting coaches and volunteers.
Allegations involving team personnel
Any safeguarding allegation or concern involving a DER coach, mechanic, volunteer, manager or other member of team personnel will be treated seriously, impartially and confidentially.
Concerns may be reported directly to Motorsport UK or the appropriate statutory authority without first contacting DER.
DER will seek appropriate safeguarding advice and cooperate fully with any investigation undertaken by the relevant authorities. DER will not attempt to independently investigate allegations of abuse or determine criminal responsibility.
Where a safeguarding allegation involves a person working with children, DER will seek advice from Motorsport UK and, where appropriate, make a referral to the relevant Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
As DER operates at multiple venues across different local authority areas, the appropriate LADO will be identified according to the circumstances of the concern and applicable local safeguarding procedures.
Where more than one local authority is involved, DER will cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure appropriate coordination and oversight.
Referrals will be made promptly and in accordance with applicable safeguarding reporting requirements.
Where necessary, proportionate precautionary measures may be implemented to protect those involved while a concern is assessed. Such measures do not constitute a finding of wrongdoing.
All individuals involved will be treated fairly and respectfully, with information shared only where necessary and in accordance with safeguarding and legal obligations.
No person will be subjected to intimidation, retaliation or unfair treatment for raising a genuine safeguarding concern.
Team Hotels and Overnight Stays
Dave Edwards Racing recognises that appropriate accommodation, supervision and clear responsibilities are essential when drivers under 18 attend race meetings, testing or other team activities involving overnight stays.
Room allocations and sharing
Adults aged 18 or over must not share a hotel room with an under-18 driver as part of DER-arranged accommodation, except where the adult is the driver's own parent or legal guardian.
Wherever possible, under-18 drivers will be allocated individual rooms. Where room sharing between under-18 drivers is proposed, the following requirements apply:
- Both drivers and their respective parents or legal guardians must explicitly agree to the proposed arrangement in advance.
- Consent must be freely given and confirmed in writing before the stay.
- Consent from one driver or family does not constitute consent on behalf of another.
- No driver or parent will be pressured into accepting shared accommodation.
- Consent may be withdrawn at any time. If withdrawn, the sharing arrangement must cease and suitable alternative arrangements must be agreed.
- Where suitable accommodation cannot be arranged, DER will discuss alternative options with the families concerned.
Parental responsibility and overnight supervision
Parents and legal guardians retain responsibility for their child's welfare unless specific supervision arrangements have been agreed with DER in advance.
Where an under-18 driver stays overnight without their parent or legal guardian, DER will ensure that a suitable supervision plan is agreed and documented before the stay.
This will include:
- Identification of the adult responsible for overnight supervision and how they can be contacted.
- Confirmation of room allocations and the location of supervising adults.
- Arrangements for drivers to obtain assistance during the night.
- Emergency contact details for parents or legal guardians.
- Appropriate arrangements for medical needs, illness or other welfare concerns.
- Clear procedures for responding if a driver is missing, distressed or requires urgent assistance.
Supervising adults must maintain appropriate professional boundaries and avoid unnecessary one-to-one situations in private accommodation.
A driver having an individual room does not remove the requirement for appropriate supervision and welfare arrangements.
Emergencies and welfare concerns
Where a driver becomes unwell, distressed, cannot be located or requires assistance overnight, the designated supervising adult must take appropriate action to ensure their immediate safety.
Parents or legal guardians will be contacted as soon as reasonably practicable, unless doing so would place the child at additional risk.
Emergency services must be contacted where necessary. Any safeguarding concern will be handled in accordance with DER's safeguarding reporting procedures.
Communication and changes to arrangements
All accommodation and supervision arrangements must be communicated clearly to parents or legal guardians before the event.
Any material changes to room allocations, supervision or overnight arrangements must be communicated promptly and agreed with the relevant parents or guardians before implementation, except where immediate action is necessary to protect a driver's safety.
DER will not assume responsibility for overnight supervision solely because accommodation has been booked or arranged through the team. Any such responsibility must be expressly agreed in advance.
First Aid Training and Emergency Support
Dave Edwards is first aid trained. DER recognises the importance of appropriate first aid awareness, training and clear emergency arrangements during team activities.
Personnel should understand their role in an emergency, how to obtain first aid assistance and how to contact the circuit's medical team or emergency services. First aid training should be kept up to date and appropriate to the responsibilities undertaken.
First aid support from DER does not replace the medical provision at a circuit or event. Team personnel must work within the limits of their training and seek appropriate medical assistance when needed.
If someone is in immediate danger or requires urgent emergency assistance, call 999 and alert the circuit or event emergency team. Do not wait for Dave or another member of DER to become available.
Safe Travel and Transport
Dave Edwards Racing recognises the importance of ensuring appropriate safeguarding arrangements when young drivers travel to and from team activities.
Parents and legal guardians are ordinarily responsible for arranging and supervising their child's travel unless alternative arrangements have been expressly agreed with DER in advance.
Where DER personnel undertake responsibility for transporting or accompanying an under-18 driver, the following safeguards will apply:
- Prior written consent will be obtained from the driver's parent or legal guardian, including details of the proposed journey and responsible adult.
- Drivers must hold the appropriate driving licence, and vehicles must be roadworthy, appropriately insured and suitable for the passengers being transported.
- Appropriate safeguarding boundaries must be maintained throughout the journey. Unnecessary isolated one-to-one travel arrangements should be avoided wherever reasonably practicable.
- Suitable supervision arrangements will be established according to the age, needs and number of young people travelling.
- Relevant emergency contact details, medical information and welfare requirements will be available to the responsible personnel.
- Journey planning will consider travel duration, driver fatigue, rest breaks, foreseeable risks and contingency arrangements.
- Personnel responsible for supervising young drivers must not consume alcohol or use substances that could impair their judgement or ability to fulfil their responsibilities.
- Any safeguarding concerns or incidents arising during travel will be recorded and reported in accordance with DER's safeguarding procedures.
Where DER arranges overnight accommodation or travel without a parent or legal guardian present, a documented risk assessment and appropriate supervision plan will be completed in advance.
All arrangements will follow applicable legislation and Motorsport UK safeguarding guidance.
Photos, video and social media
We will discuss permission for identifiable photos, GoPro footage and promotional content with drivers and, for under-18s, their parent or guardian. Respect anyone who does not want to be photographed or featured. Do not publish personal contact details, private information or material that could embarrass or put a young person at risk.
Tell Dave if you have a concern about an image or want to discuss future use of your child's content. See our privacy notice for how to contact us about personal information.
If someone tells you about harm
Check whether the person is currently safe, allow them to explain their concern in their own words, and explain what will happen next, including who may need to be informed. Do not investigate the allegation yourself.
- Listen calmly, take them seriously and reassure them that speaking up was the right thing to do.
- Do not promise secrecy. Explain that information may need to be shared with people who can help keep them safe.
- Do not investigate, ask leading questions or confront the person alleged to have caused harm.
- Make a factual record as soon as possible: what was said, using their own words where possible, and the date, time, location and people present. Keep it secure.
- Report promptly to Dave, Motorsport UK, the Club Safeguarding Officer or the appropriate statutory service. Do not delay urgent action while gathering information.
How concerns are handled
DER will take concerns seriously, consider immediate safety and seek advice or make a referral to Motorsport UK, police or local safeguarding services as appropriate. Decisions about parental involvement must take account of whether informing a parent could increase the risk of harm. DER will not attempt to carry out a criminal or statutory safeguarding investigation.
Information will be recorded securely and shared only with people who need it to protect someone or fulfil safeguarding responsibilities. We cannot promise absolute confidentiality. Nobody should be discouraged, penalised or treated unfairly for raising a genuine concern.
If you believe a concern has not been addressed, contact Motorsport UK or the appropriate safeguarding service directly. A concern does not have to be recent to be reported.
Keeping this policy useful
Dave Edwards is the contact for questions about this policy and for helping drivers and families understand how to raise a concern. The policy should be reviewed annually and after significant incidents or changes to relevant guidance. Team members should understand their responsibilities and discuss any training or support they need with Dave.
Published 22 October 2026. Updated 27 October 2026. Planned review: October 2027.
Further guidance: Motorsport UK safeguarding, policies and guidance, and reporting a concern.