What is a Safeguarding Sponsor?

To ensure the safety of young people at Dojos, we require a second adult to act as a safeguarding sponsor for your Dojo.

You are required to provide information about your safeguarding sponsor when filling out an application to start a new Dojo. 

Who can be my Dojo's safeguarding sponsor? 

An appropriate sponsor would be a person holding a manager-level position within a school, library, or corporate/non-profit organisation. The Dojo sponsor and the Dojo champion cannot be the same person.

What will my safeguarding sponsor be responsible for? 

Your safeguarding sponsor will help ensure that your Dojo operates in accordance with our safeguarding policy and that all your volunteers have the appropriate background checks.

I am a manager in my organisation, can I be the safeguarding sponsor for my Dojo? 

No, your safeguarding sponsor must be a second adult. You may choose another manager in your organisation or a person from another organisation. 

I have safeguarding training (DBS checks, Garda vetting, etc.), do I need a safeguarding sponsor? 

Yes, expert advice is that an element of extra attention is a deterrent for perpetrators who are looking for organisations where they can gain access to children. Following this advice, we made it a requirement to have a second person of responsibility be involved with the founding of a new Dojo.

What happens when I submit my Dojo application? 

Once you have submitted your Dojo application (as linked above), we will review your application and send a sponsorship agreement form to your nominated sponsor. This form will explain our expectations to your sponsor.

What happens if my safeguarding sponsor doesn't agree to the sponsorship form? 

Should your safeguarding sponsor disagree with our sponsorship form, we will contact you and request you to name a different sponsor.

What happens if my safeguarding sponsor wants to leave my Dojo? 

Should your sponsor want to leave your Dojo, please email us at info@coderdojo.com. 

What happens if I leave my Dojo? 

Should you step down as your Dojo champion, please add a co-champion by following these steps, and email info@coderdojo.com to let us know.