CHILD WELFARE POLICY
Introduction
As a club we have a duty of care towards young people and a responsibility to protect them from harm.
As a club we need to ensure the safety of all young players.
We must ensure that all adults involved within the club are aware of their responsibilities.
We need to be sure that if any allegations were made, we would have the procedures in place that will effectively deal with the situation.
We as a club have a Child Protection Officer. That person’s name is John Hartshorn Tel: 01670 861697
We as a club must pass on to all managers/coaches, officials, players and parents all codes of conduct and have a central copy available.
Club Statement
Bedlington Terriers JFC strives to achieve and maintain that:
► The players welfare is paramount
► All players have the right to protection from abuse
► Any allegations or disclosures will be taken seriously
► Any allegations will be responded to as a matter of urgency
Forms of Abuse
It is widely recognised that there are 4 main areas of abuse.
Emotional Abuse
This may occur if the managers / coaches
► Are regularly negative in their feedback
► Repeatedly demand performance levels above those of which a player is capable
► Repeatedly ignore a players efforts to progress
► Put too much emphasise on winning
Neglect
This may occur if the managers / coaches
► Leave the players without proper supervision
► Expose players to excessive cold / heat without protection
► Expose players to unacceptable risk of injury
Physical Abuse
This may occur if the managers / coaches
► Expose players to exercise / training of which the player is incapable of completing due to players immaturity or growing body
► Expose players to injury due to overplaying / over training or fatigue
Sexual Abuse
Generally – players that are abused by adults to meet their own sexual needs e.g. forcing a child to take part in any sexual activity, showing players pornographic material or suggesting taking part in sex to enhance their sporting career.
What to do if you have any concerns about behaviour of managers/ coaches or officials.
Poor Practice Unlawful
↓
Report to Child Protection Officer Report to Child Protection Officer
↓
Refer to Club Management Committee Ensure Childs Safety
↓
Dealt with Internally Refer to social services and police
↓
Take advice from social services re contact with parents/carers
↓
Suspend Manager/ Coach/ Official pending enquiry
↓
Arrange disciplinary / misconduct proceedings
Abuse outside of playing environment
Child abuse may be made aware to you by:
► Child disclosing i.e. telling you that there is abuse going on
► Concerned third party reporting to you
► Your own suspicions
Indications of Child Abuse
► Injury that has inconsistent explanations for cause
►Third Party reporting incident
► Unexplained changes in behaviour e.g. becoming quiet / withdrawn or outbursts of temper
► Inappropriate sexual awareness
► Distrusting of adults, who would normally have a close relationship
► Variation in over eating / loss of appetite
► Inexplicable weight loss
► Becoming dirty / unkempt
► Use of sexually explicit language
As a club we need to ensure that levels of awareness are raised without creating anxiety or suspicion.
However, sometimes acting on your own suspicions is the correct thing to do.
What to do if you have concerns re child abuse outside of the club.
Report to Child Protection Officer
↓
Refer immediately to social services
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Social services decide how to involve parents/carers
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Record everything that has been said and copy it to social services
Coaches Guidance on Abuse
DO
· Stay calm.
· Reassure the child
· Listen
· One adult only talk to the child
· Make sure you clearly understand what the child has said
· Record everything
· Contact Child Protection Officer immediately
· Follow confidentiality and ensure all information is handed over to the Child Protection Officer
DO NOT
· Question the child
· Ignore what has been disclosed
· Panic
· Challenge the abuser
· Make promises you can’t keep
· Make the child repeat the story unnecessarily
· Delay
Good Practice
All players have a right to be treated with dignity and respect
Recruitment
► All managers / coaches should be qualified to the basic level
► All Managers / coaches / officials should have a current CRB check
► Every team is required to have a first aid officer
Supervision
Managers / coaches / officials should be sensitive to any concerns about abuse, and act on them immediately. Support should be offered to those who report concerns.
Complaints
The committee ensures that all complaints will be dealt with effectively and are committed to reducing situations for the abuse of children and the protection of staff / volunteers by promoting good practice.
Coaches Good Practice
► Avoid situations where you are alone with a child
► Tell the player beforehand and ask if there are any objections if you need to make direct contact with the child.
► Ensure there are always 2 adults in the changing rooms and are of appropriate gender
► Mixed teams should be accompanied by 1 male and 1 female adult
► Respect the rights and dignity of the player and treat all equally
► Well being and safety are of paramount importance
► Avoid over playing players
► Ensure children play for enjoyment, winning only being a part of it
► Never allow injured players to play / train
► Coaches should have a coaching badge
► Display high standards of personal behaviour and appearance
► Do not overtly criticise players
► Do not spend time alone with children away from others
► Never be alone travelling with children
► Never take children to your home
If you accidentally injure / cause distress to a player, tell a colleague immediately and produce a brief written report. Parents / carers should also be told.
YOU SHOULD NEVER
► Engage in inappropriate physical contact
► Share a room with a player
► Permit players to use unacceptable language
► Make sexually suggestive comments even in fun
► Meet a player on your own outside of normal match day/ coaching hours
► Allow allegations by a player to go unrecorded or not acted on
► Do things for the player that they can do for themselves e.g. fastening their boot laces etc.
Recording Allegations of Suspicious Behaviour
Please Report The Facts Do Not Interpret Them
Section 1
Name of player
DOB
Parent/Carer Name
Home Address
Tel No
DETAILS OF PERSON MAKING REPORT
Name
Home Address
Tel No
Position Held in Club
Is this report a result of
1. Your own concerns
2. 3rd Party concerns
If No 2 please provide
Name
Tel No
Home Address
Position Held in Club
Section 2
What is the nature of the concerns?
If spoken to, what did the child say?
Have the parents/carers been contacted?
Has anyone been alleged to be the abuser?
Name
Has anyone been informed /consulted of the allegations?
Signed
Position held in club
Date
References
Amateur Swimming Association of England
Amateur Athletics Association of England
Northern Ireland DHSS Child Care Unit
Rugby Football Union 1996
Football Association .
Anti Bullying Policy
The aim of the anti bullying policy is to ensure that players develop in a safe and caring environment. Players who are bullied could show behavioural changes such as shyness and nervousness, pretending to be ill, missing games or missing training. As a club we need to be aware that bullying exists and we need to follow procedures to ensure that it is stopped immediately.
If there is an incident of bullying the following steps should be taken by the Manager:
• Never say ignore it, or stick up for yourself
• Hear both sides
• Protect youngsters from violence
• Be firm
• Confirm that all forms of bullying are unacceptable
• Seek advice if in doubt
• Do not promise not to tell relevant authorities
• Encourage the child to talk
• Document events
• Report the incident to the nominated Child Protection Officer
If this cannot be resolved by the manager it must be taken up with the committee.
Victims of bullying will be totally supported by the manager by reassuring the victim, listening and restoring their self esteem.
This will help the victim to discuss the incident, find out why they are involved and establish wrongdoing and the need to change.
Following discussion with the committee, an official warning could be issued to the bully, exclusion from activities or expulsion from the club.
This policy will be reviewed annually.
Anti Discrimination Policy
Bedlington Terriers JFC is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the club at every level. Our commitment is to eliminate discrimination whether by reason of gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.
Equal opportunities at Bedlington Terriers JFC means that in all our activities we will not discriminate or in any way treat anyone less favourably on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.
This includes:
• The selection of candidate for volunteers
• Courses
• Coaching, activities and awards
• Development activities
• Appointment to committee
• Team selection
• Age
Bedlington Terriers JFC will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour whether physical or verbal, and will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.
Bedlington Terriers JFC is committed to the development of the programme of ongoing training and awareness raising events and activities in order to promote the eradication of discrimination within its organisation.
Any breach of rules could result in expulsion from the club