Safeguarding

At Marmalade MTB, we are passionately committed to providing safe, secure, and positive guided mountain bike experiences across the UK for all our participants, particularly children and vulnerable adults. We recognise and embrace our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of every individual we work with.

We strive to create an environment where all participants feel respected and safe, and where they are confident that they will be listened to if they have any concerns.

Our Policy and Commitment

We operate under a comprehensive Safeguarding Policy and robust guidelines that provide the essential framework for all our freelance, fully qualified leaders and coaches. This policy ensures that our team knows how to maintain professional standards, create a secure environment, and respond effectively to any concerns or allegations.

Our commitment to safeguarding includes:

• Rigorous Vetting: Ensuring all freelance instructors undergo the appropriate Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for working with children and/or vulnerable adults.
• Professional Conduct: Requiring all staff to adhere to our Code of Conduct and maintain strict professional boundaries with participants.
• Zero Tolerance: Maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and any form of abuse or neglect.

Contact: Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

If you have any safeguarding concerns relating to a Marmalade MTB experience, or if you simply wish to receive a copy of our full Safeguarding Policy and Guidelines document, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately.

In the Event of an Emergency

If you believe a child or vulnerable adult is at immediate risk of significant harm, you must contact the police and/or local children’s or adult social care services straight away.

• Police: 999 (for emergencies) or 101 (for non-emergencies)
• Local Authority Children’s Services: 
  • Surrey 
  • West Sussex | East Sussex
• Local Authority Adult Social Care: 
  • Surrey 
  • West Sussex | East Sussex

Instructor Responsibilities (The Group Leader)

Since all our experiences are instructor-led, your freelance guide/coach acts as the Leader in Charge during the duration of the activity.

The instructor is responsible for the overall supervision of the group while on the trail. They operate under a duty of care to act as any reasonably prudent adult would in the same circumstances.

We expect all participants (or their parents/guardians) to communicate all relevant details—such as medical information, dietary requirements, and specific learning needs—to the instructor before the session starts. This vital information is kept confidential and is only used by the instructor to ensure the safety and well-being of the participant during the guided experience.

Use of Mobile Devices and Photography

In the interest of safeguarding and maintaining focus during activities, we have a clear policy regarding the use of mobile devices and photography:

• Participant Devices: We ask all participants to keep their devices safely stored during the guided ride, ensuring they are not used in a way that distracts from the activity or compromises safety.
• Photography: Taking photos or videos of other participants is strictly prohibited unless specific, explicit permission has been granted by the individual (or their parent/guardian) and the instructor.
• Instructor Photography:
  • For your convenience, instructors may use their personal mobile devices to take photographs during the ride, but only if prior consent has been explicitly given by the parent/guardian (or the adult participant).
  • This consent is collected as part of our digital activity waiver form before the session begins.
  • Any photography taken is solely for the purpose of capturing the ride experience for the participants and may be used for Marmalade MTB’s own promotional purposes, as per the terms of the waiver.