privacy policy
The Army Parachute Association Privacy Policy
The APA is committed to safeguarding the privacy of our website visitors; our policy sets out how we will treat your personal information.
(1) What information do we collect?
We may collect, store and use the following kinds of personal data:
(a) information about your visits to and use of this website;
(a) information about any transactions carried out between you and us on or in relation to this website, including information relating to any purchases you make of our goods or services.
(b) information that you provide to us for the purpose of registering with us and/or subscribing to our website services and/or email notifications
(2) Information about website visits
We may collect information about your computer and your visits to this website such as your IP address, geographical location, browser type, referral source, length of visit and number of page views. We may use this information in the administration of this website, to improve the website’s usability, and for marketing purposes. This is sourced using Google Analytics and purely for the afore mentioned reasons.
We use cookies on this website. A cookie is a text file sent by a web server to a web browser, and stored by the browser. The text file is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server. This enables the web server to identify and track the web browser.
Most browsers allow you to refuse to accept cookies. (For example, in Internet Explorer you can refuse all cookie by clicking “Tools”, “Internet Options”, “Privacy”, and selecting “Block all cookies” using the sliding selector.) This will, however, have a negative impact upon the usability of many websites, including this one.
(3) Using your personal data
Personal data submitted on this website will be used for the purposes specified in this privacy policy or in relevant parts of the website.
In addition to the uses identified elsewhere in this privacy policy, we may use your personal information to:
(a) improve your browsing experience by personalising the website.
(b) send information (other than marketing communications) to you which we think may be of interest to you by post or by email or similar technology.
(c) send to you marketing communications relating to our business which we think may be of interest to you by post or, where you have specifically agreed to this, by email or similar technology (you can inform us at any time if you no longer require marketing communications to be sent, by clicking this link)
We will not provide your personal information to any third parties for the purpose of direct marketing.
(4) Other disclosures
In addition to the disclosures reasonably necessary for the purposes identified elsewhere in this privacy policy, we may disclose information about you:
(a) to the extent that we are required to do so by law;
(b) in connection with any legal proceedings or prospective legal proceedings;
(c) in order to establish, exercise or defend our legal rights (including providing information to others for the purposes of fraud prevention and reducing credit risk); and
Except as provided in this privacy policy, we will not provide your information to third parties.
(5) International data transfers
Information that we collect may be stored and processed in and transferred between any of the countries in which we operate in order to enable us to use the information in accordance with this privacy policy.
If you are in the European Union, information which you provide may be transferred to countries including the United States which do not have data protection laws equivalent to those in force in the European Union. You expressly agree to such transfers.
(6) Security of your personal data
We will take all reasonable precautions to prevent the loss, misuse or alteration of your personal information. Of course, data transmission over the internet is inherently insecure, and we cannot guarantee the security of data sent over the internet.
We will store all the personal information you provide on our secure servers. All electronic transactions you make to or receive from us will be encrypted.
You are responsible for keeping your password confidential. We will not ask you for your password.
(7) Policy amendments
We may update this privacy policy from time-to-time by posting a new version on our website. You should check this page occasionally to ensure you are happy with any changes.
We may also notify you of changes to our privacy policy by email.
(8) Your rights
You may instruct us to provide you with any personal information we hold about you. Provision of such information may be subject to the payment of a fee (currently fixed at £10.00).
You may instruct us not to process your personal data for marketing purposes. In practice, you will usually either expressly agree in advance to our use of your personal data for marketing purposes, or we will provide you with an opportunity to opt-out of the use of your personal data for marketing purposes. You can also instruct us not to use your personal data for marketing purposes by clicking this link at any time.
MODERN SLAVERY POLICY
- Introduction
Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. The Army Parachute Association is committed to the abolition of modern slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour, and human trafficking. The Army Parachute Association is committed to acting ethically and with integrity, as well as ensuring that effective controls are in place to ensure modern slavery is not taking place within our own business.
- Scope
This policy applies to the staff, volunteers, customers and visitors at The Army Parachute Association and it is their responsibility to prevent, detect and report any concerns involving modern slavery. The Army Parachute Association is responsible for ensuring this policy complies with any legal and ethical obligations and that the aforementioned persons comply with the policy. If an individual is unsure whether a particular act or treatment of workers constitutes as modern slavery they are advised to report the concern to the Management Team or follow the Army Parachute Association Whistleblower Policy.
- The Army Parachute Association
Due to the nature of our business, The Army Parachute Association believes itself to have a low risk of modern slavery within
the business. The Army Parachute Association is committed to ensuring transparency in our approach to tackling modern slavery by making this policy accessible to all. The Army Parachute Association’s recruitment process ensures that all employees are legally entitled to work in the UK and to safeguard them from any coercion or abuse.
The Army Parachute Association will not enter into business with any organisation which is involved with or knowingly supports modern slavery in any of its forms.
- Our actions
The Army Parachute Association upholds this policy by:
Educating staff on the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and informing them of the appropriate action to take if they suspect modern slavery is taking place Continuing to take action to embed a zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery.
Providing a whistleblower policy which provides a way to raise any concerns regarding modern slavery within The Army Parachute Association
Any employee or volunteer who breaches the policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for misconduct or gross misconduct.
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
1. Introduction The aim of this policy is to ensure that The Army Parachute Association takes a pro-active approach and responsibility towards safeguarding its client base. The company acknowledges that safeguarding our client group requires consideration of all risks that can make a person feel unsafe, as such the client is at the forefront of practice within The Army Parachute Association with an acknowledgment that vulnerability and safeguarding can result in long term as well as immediate issues. The Army Parachute Association is committed to upholding the rights and safety of clients. This policy is supported by robust guidelines and works in conjunction with the British Parachute Association’s Instructor Code of Practice.
Consideration of safety does not only apply to operational rules and regulations for the safe conduct of the sport, but also about safeguarding its participants – not only from sport parachuting accidents, but safeguarding from harm, as listed in this policy.
2. Principles
All adults, regardless of age, ability or disability, gender, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender status have the right to be protected from abuse and poor practice and to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment
The rights, dignity and worth of all adults will be respected.
We recognise that a disabled adult may not identify themselves or be identified as being ‘at risk’.
Any allegations will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly.
The Army Parachute Association recognises the role and responsibilities of the statutory agencies in safeguarding adults, and is committed to complying with the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Adults Boards
3. Guidance and Legislation
The practices and procedures within this policy are based on the principles contained within the UK and International Legislation and Government Guidance, and have been developed to complement the Safeguarding Adults Boards policy and procedures, and give consideration to:
- The Care Act 2004
- The Data Protection Act 1994 and 1998
- The Human Rights Act 1998
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- Equality Act 2010
- Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
- Sexual Offences Act 2003
- Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012
2. Definitions
The client’s needs are paramount. Safeguarding is a term used in the United Kingdom and Ireland to denote measures to protect the health, well-being and human rights of individuals, which allow people — especially children, young people and vulnerable adults (at risk) — to live free from abuse, harm – and protected by the Human Rights Act 1998. A child is defined as those under the age of 18, a vulnerable adult is any person aged 18 years or over who is, or may be, unable to take care of him or herself or who is unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.
Safeguarding includes:
- Protecting their rights to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
- People and organisations working together to prevent the risk of abuse or neglect, and to stop them from happening.
- Making sure people’s wellbeing is promoted, taking their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs into account.
Adult at Risk – a person aged 18 or over who is in need of care and support regardless of whether they are receiving them, and because of those needs are unable to protect themselves against abuse or neglect.
Abuse – a violation of an individuals human and civil rights by another person or persons.
Capacity – the ability to make a decision at a particular time, such as under considerable stress. The assumption is that a person has the capacity to make a decision unless it can be established that they lack the capacity (MCA 2005).
Types of Abuse and Neglect (Care Act 2014) that may relate to skydiving
- Discriminatory
- Organisational Abuse
- Physical Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Financial or Material Abuse
- Neglect
- Emotional or Psychological Abuse
- Self Neglect
3. The Wider Safeguarding Framework
The Army Parachute Association works under the auspice of the British Parachute Association Operations Manual with regards to all operational aspects of the business. Safeguarding the welfare of customers is everyone’s business and must be adhered to at all times. This policy must be read by all those working within the company; including any amendments or updates that are made. The PTO has responsibility for ensuring there is a safeguarding policy in place and that all staff and casual employees are adhering to this.
4. The Army Parachute Association
4.1 Identification And Management Of Safeguarding
The Army Parachute Association Safeguarding Procedures must be followed when there is reasonable cause to suspect there may be a safeguarding issue. Consideration should be given as to whether customers are adequately protected from exploitative behaviour and treated professionally at all times.
Any employee with such concerns for the welfare of a person is required to speak with the Safeguarding Lead, Parachute Training Organisation owners or designated Chief Instructor. This discussion will be recorded and held confidentially on file with password protection. The recording must show agreement about who will take what action/when and, if no action is to be taken, why. It is also necessary to ensure that any actions taken are recorded and reviewed until the issue is resolved.
Where there is immediate risk the Police and the British Parachute Association must be immediately informed. All staff will be expected to participate fully in any safeguarding actions. It is the duty of the PTO to inform relevant agencies where required, which may include the Local Authority, local Police, Local Safeguarding Children’s Board. The designated Safeguarding Lead is required to source the relevant contact details of local safeguarding services.
The British Parachute Association must be informed at the soonest opportunity if there is an allegation against an employee/instructor.
4.2 Management Accountability
The lead role in safeguarding within The Army Parachute Association is specific to management. The designated safeguarding lead is: Alice Barrington
4.3 Recruitment and Training
The Army Parachute Association staff are not required at this time to have Disclosure and Vetting clearance. The safeguarding lead should have a valid basic DBS check in place. These checks are reviewed on a three yearly basis.
Staff members will undergo basic training in relation to safeguarding and ensure this is renewed two yearly or in the event in changes of legislation.
New staff will receive a safeguarding brief on commencement of their employment, during the induction process.
4.4 Instructor and Coach Responsibilities
Instructors and coaches hold a duty of care and are responsible for the welfare of their students throughout. Instructors and coaches will adopt a professional approach, ensuring that the student feels comfortable and treated respectfully. Instructors and coaches are responsible for ensuring they attend safeguarding training that is offered by the Parachute Training Organisation. Instructors will sign a training sheet to outline they have read and understood the Instructors Code of Practice.
4.5 Parachute Training Organisation
The Parachute Training Organisation will adopt a duty of care towards their client base and ensure that any potential allegations are dealt with swiftly and in a manner that ensures confidentiality. The Parachute Training Organisation has a duty to offer safeguarding training. The Parachute Training Organisation will make available the Instructor Code of Practice, and request a signature to evidence this has been read annually and is adhered to. The safeguarding lead will ensure that practices are in line with recent and relevant legislation.
4.6 British Parachute Association
As the National Governing Body of sport parachuting, the British Parachute Association will ensure that safeguarding is promoted within PTOs and that instructors adhere to the Instructor Code of Practice. All BPA instructors are trained to a high standard and required to ensure a professional approach at all times. The BPA respects equality and diversity of all members of the Association.
M BAYADA
Chief Operating Officer
Army Parachute Association