CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
CONTENTS
1.0
INTRODUCTION
2.0 POLICY
STATEMENT
3.0 CHILD PROTECTION
OFFICER
3.1
Appointment
3.2
Duties
3.3 Guidance
4.0
ADVICE
5.0 THE CLUB'S
RESPONSIBILITIES
APPENDICES
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Appendix
A
Volunteer
application form
Appendix B
Child
protection officer guidance
Appendix C
Code of
practice for club members working with young people
Appendix D
Advice to
young people
1.0 Introduction
Sport provides an arena for young people not only
to advance their physical skills but also to develop both socially and
emotionally but is regrettably not exempt from accusations of abuse and the Club
must ensure that sufficient safeguards are in place.
Parents and young people place a great deal of
trust in the Club, its officials and helpers and that trust is well founded.
However it is important that young people and their parents can be assured that
the Club is providing a safe, wholesome and developmental environment. They also
have a right to be reassured that the Club has a procedure in place to ensure
that any failures of the system are managed in the child's interest. It is with
this in mind that the Club, its Management Committee and Coaching staff fully
endorse the policy and procedures that follow.
All children and young people irrespective of their
age, maturity, attitude, culture, gender, language, racial origin or religious
belief have a right to protection from abuse, neglect or exploitation. The Club,
recognising that wrongful accusations can do much harm, will fairly,
impartially, discretely and confidentially investigate any suspicion or actual
allegation that abuse, neglect or exploitation is or has been undertaken by any
person associated with the Club. The Club will also fully co-operate with a
young person's home, school, community and other statutory bodies to ensure the
welfare of our young athlete
3.1
Appointment
Crowborough Runners has a Child Protection Officer
who is appointed by the Committee. The Child Protection Officer will only be
appointed following an appropriate police check. If the post becomes vacant and
a suitable volunteer is not forth coming, the Management Committee will appoint
one of its own members to the post no later than three committee meetings from
the vacancy occurring.
3.2
Duties
a)
The Child Protection Officer will be responsible for
maintaining this policy and implementing any future amendments within the
club.
b)
When required, assimilate any written guidance that may
be provided by other agencies, e.g. Social Services, Athletics Governing Bodies,
into this policy or procedure.
c)
Attend training courses, seminars and other functions as
necessary to improve expertise.
d)
Maintain the Club's record of
volunteers/coaches/officials. (see Appendix A).
e)
Receive and advise on reports of, or suspicions of abuse
from any source, in particular the Club's young athletes and junior members,
their parents or other club members, (the term club member in this instance is
used in the widest possible context encompassing any person whether an actual
club member or not who participates in any activity organised by the club).
f)
To initiate action where appropriate including if
necessary the involvement of qualified professionals.
g)
Maintain the security of any confidential information
received giving access to other agencies as necessary e.g. Social Services,
Police.
3.3
Guidance
Guidance for the Child Protection Officer is
contained in Appendix B.
4.0 Advice
a)
A code of practice for those within the club working
with young people is contained in Appendix C.
b)
Advice for our young people on how to avoid misconduct
by others and what to do about it is given in Appendix
D.
5.0 The Club’s
Responsibilities
The Club has responsibilities to both young people
and the adults working with them.
These are to:
a)
Appoint a Child Protection Officer if necessary should a
vacancy occur as outlined in paragraph 3. I
b)
Support the Child Protection Officer in attending any
local or regional course organised by sports governing bodies or others on the
practical implementation of this policy and any other aspect of his / her
duties.
c)
Respond to any concerns having recognised that all Club
officials, the Management Committee and all other adult members are responsible
for the welfare of our young people and those working with them.
d)
Exercise the highest degree of discretion and
confidentiality for both the person(s) making an accusation and the person(s)
against whom the allegations are made.
e)
Recognise that it is the Club's duty to refer any
concerns to parents, social services or police as
appropriate.
f)
Refuse help from someone who has been convicted of
abuse, and require that all volunteers, coaches and officials complete the form
contained in Appendix A. Anyone who
has a previous criminal conviction for offences related to abuse is
automatically excluded from working with children (reinforced by the details of
the Protection of Children Act 1999).
g)
Have a process at Management Committee level including
an appeals procedure to deal with complaints concerning poor athletic practice
as distinct from alleged abuse.
h)
Give every assistance to and encourage volunteers to
obtain recognised coaching qualifications.
i) Ensure that adequate insurance including that for all coaches / volunteers is held by the Club or other sports body to which the Club is affiliated.