Baldock Town Youth is committed to upholding the protection of every child and young person who is registered and plays with o

Child protection and equalities policy

March 2005

Contents

Page

1 Introduction 2

2 Defining child abuse 2

3 Child Protection and Equalities Officer 3

4 Protecting children, Managers, Coaches and helpers 4

5 Disclosures and vetting 5

6 Recording allegations or suspicions of abuse 6

7 Equalities 7

8 Recording and acting on allegations of inequality 8

Appendices:

· Personal information and disclosure form 9

· Child Protection Report Form 11

1 Introduction

This policy provides a framework of support for everyone involved in Cumnor Minors FC under the Rules, Constitution and Code established by the Club’s Committee. It aims to ensure that the Club offers safe, fair football that meets or exceeds the guidelines set out in the FA’s Child Protection, Equal Opportunities and Anti Discrimination policies.

Cumnor Minors FC will endeavour at all times to:

· Promote the welfare, health and full development of children

· Recognise that children have rights as individuals and treat them with dignity and respect

· Respect differences fairly and promote equality of opportunity

· Confront and tackle discrimination and harassment in any form

· Raise awareness about what children are entitled to be protected from

· Run coaching, matches and other activities so as to minimise opportunities for children to suffer harm

· Use effective procedures to respond to alleged or suspected incidents of abuse or discrimination.

Everyone managing, coaching, helping or coming into regular close contact with children in connection with the Club’s activities must comply with this policy at all times.

Cumnor Minors FC may take disciplinary action against anyone involved with an offence involving abuse, discrimination or causing harm to children, which could include expulsion from the Club and being barred from the Club’s activities.

The Club may also deny anyone access to children and the Club’s activities if apparently well founded allegations have been made against them, or if they fail to complete the Club’s disclosure and vetting procedures satisfactorily, even if they have not been convicted of a relevant offence.

2 Defining child abuse

A child is defined as anyone under the age of 18 years. There are various forms of child abuse:

Neglect

Neglect can be defined in terms of omission, where the child suffers significant harm or impairment of development by being deprived of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision and safety.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is normally found in the relationship between a care-giver and a child rather than in a specific event or pattern of events. It occurs when a child’s needs for affection, approval, consistency and security are not met.

Physical abuse

Physical abuse is any form of non-accidental injury or injury which results from wilful or neglectful failure to protect a child.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse occurs when a child is used by another person for his or her gratification or sexual arousal or for that of others.

Bullying

Bullying can be defined as repeated aggression - verbal, psychological or physical, which is conducted by an individual or group against others.

3 Child Protection and Equalities Officer

The Club’s Child Protection and Equalities Officer is responsible for:

· Introducing and implementing this policy

· Undertaking relevant training and keeping up to date with any new guidelines issued by the FA, Police, Social Services or other agencies

· Ensuring that all Managers, Coaches, First Aiders and regular helpers complete the relevant Criminal Records Bureau or Club disclosures and keeping these up to date.

· Organising Police and other checks on individuals, as they deem appropriate.

· Receiving and advising on all reports of child abuse or discrimination.

· Taking appropriate action in cases of abuse or discrimination, including contact with the Police, Social Services and other relevant agencies.

· Keeping an Incident Log and confidential records of all reported and suspected cases of abuse or discrimination.

4 Protecting children, Managers, Coaches and helpers

To reduce the likelihood of abuse of children, and to protect Managers, Coaches, First Aiders and helpers from false accusations of abuse, everyone must be aware of and follow these guidelines, acting reasonably and using their judgement as appropriate.

As a general rule it is not sensible to:

· Spend excessive amounts of time alone with children, away from others

· Take children alone on a car journey, however short

· Take children to your home.

If occasions arise when these are unavoidable, they should wherever possible occur with the full knowledge and consent of the child’s parent/guardian.

Managers, Coaches, First Aiders and helpers should not:

· Leave a child alone with someone else.

· Be alone with a child in the changing room.

· Treat a child for an injury alone and away from others.

· Allow children or others to use inappropriate language or behaviour unchallenged.

· Let any incidents, near misses or allegations by a child go unchallenged or unrecorded.

Other good practice for Managers, Coaches, and helpers:

ü Treat everyone with respect.

ü Set an example you wish others to follow.

ü Run coaching sessions in sight and hearing of others.

ü Ensure that a parent/guardian or known adult collects each child.

ü Respect children’s right to privacy.

ü Encourage children and adults to feel comfortable enough to point out attitudes or behaviour they do not like.

ü Create a positive, caring atmosphere.

ü Remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well intentioned.

ü Exercise caution and sensitivity when dealing with abuse and discrimination.

ü Have separate sleeping accommodation for adults and children on tours.

Do not

û Allow abusive youth peer activities (for example, taunting or ridiculing).

û Have inappropriate physical or verbal contact with children.

û Jump to conclusions about others without checking the facts.

û Get drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviour such as tantrums or crushes.

û Exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues.

û Show favouritism to any individual or group.

û Swear, or use inappropriate language, or make suggestive remarks or gestures to children.

û Get close to or have physical contact with a child without clearly explaining what you are doing.

û Take photographs of or film children without their knowledge and their parent/guardian’s consent, or allow others to do so

û Allow children to use or expose them to alcohol, smoking, drugs or pornography

û Rely on your good name to protect you - it may not be enough.

û Believe ‘it can never happen to you’ - it can.

5 Disclosures and vetting

As an FA Charter Standard Club, our Managers, Coaches and other core helpers are required to complete and submit FA Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Enhanced Disclosures. These - and the Club’s own disclosures - are organised and maintained by the Child Protection and Equalities Officer at the Club’s expense.

If anyone who is requested to complete a CRB disclosure refuses to do so, or if their check is not passed by the CRB, they will not be permitted to act as a Manager, Coach, First Aider, Referee or helper until and unless:

· They submit a written statement to the Child Protection and Equalities Officer, explaining why they have refused or failed the CRB check, and if they think it is still reasonable for them to have responsibility for children’s football.

AND

· They meet with a specially convened panel made up of the Child Protection and Equalities Officer, plus two other Committee officers to discuss the circumstances. The panel has full authority to act under the Club’s disciplinary procedures set out in the Rules and Constitution. There is no right of appeal against the panel’s decision.

We recognise that this sort of situation is highly sensitive, so the Club is committed to acting fairly, and offering a high level of confidentiality to anyone involved. Apart from the Child Protection and Equalities Officer (or his/her acting deputy), and the Committee officers involved in the panel, the details of any statement or hearing under these circumstances will not be divulged to anyone else, unless this is required by a Police or Social Services investigation.

Anyone who is concerned about the process or outcome of their CRB check should take advice from the Child Protection and Equalities Officer before refusing or submitting a disclosure.

6 Recording allegations or suspicions of abuse

If an allegation of abuse is made against a member of the Club, or a ‘near miss’ incident occurs, the person receiving the report must record and report it using the Child Protection Report form. Copies of this form are available from the Child Protection and Equalities Officer and on the Club’s website.

The person completing the form must give it to the Child Protection and Equalities Officer who will record it in the Incident Record Log, and decide and advise on what further investigation and action is necessary.

The Child Protection and Equalities Officer will assess all allegations promptly and decide on the appropriate action, which may include reporting to and/or carrying out checks the Police, Social Services, Criminal Records Bureau and other agencies.

The Child Protection and Equalities Officer will keep full documentation on all reported cases. All information will be treated and held as confidential to the people and agencies handling any allegation or incident.

Good practice in receiving and reporting allegations of child abuse includes:

If you suspect a child is being abused:

· Tell the Child Protection and Equalities Officer immediately.

· Record the facts as you know them on a Child Protection Report form and give a copy to the Child Protection and Equalities Officer.

· Ensure that the child has access to an independent adult.

· Ensure that no other situation arises which could cause any further concern.

If a child discloses abuse by someone else to you:

· Allow the child to speak without interruption, accepting what is said.

· Alleviate feeling of guilt isolation, while passing no judgement.

· Explain that you will offer support, but that you must pass the information on.

· Take the same steps as above.

If you receive an allegation about any adult or about yourself:

· Tell the Child Protection and Equalities Officer immediately.

· Record the facts as you know them on a Child Protection Report form and give a copy to the Child Protection and Equalities Officer.

· Ensure that no one is placed in a position that could cause further problems.

Remember

Ü You must report and refer any abuse or near miss; you must NOT investigate.

Ü Use your judgement to fulfil your legal and moral obligations to protect children’s safety and welfare, and get advice from the Child Protection and Equalities Officer and/or FA/NSPCC Helpline.

7 Equalities

Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by everyone. Cumnor Minors FC is committed to respecting differences fairly and confronting and eliminating discrimination. We welcome anyone who wants to take part, regardless of their abilities.

In all its activities, the Club will not unfairly discriminate or in any way treat anyone less favourably on grounds of sex, sexuality, race, nationality, ethnicity, colour, language, religion, culture, disability, illness, age or for any other reason.

This includes:

· Advertising for players and volunteer helpers

· Selecting squads and teams

· Coaching, education and other awards and activities

· Appointments to Committee, Officer and honorary positions.

Cumnor Minors FC will not tolerate sexual, racial or any other form of harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal, and will take appropriate action if it occurs.

8 Recording and acting on allegations of inequality

If an allegation of discrimination or inequality is made against a member of the Club, the person receiving the report must tell the Child Protection and Equalities Officer immediately, and encourage the person making the allegation to put their concerns in writing to the Child Protection and Equalities Officer.

The Child Protection and Equalities Officer will investigate the allegation as appropriate and agree action with the Club’s Committee Officers.

Anyone found to be acting in a discriminatory way must stop this immediately, and will be required to offer and provide any apology, restitution or redress deemed appropriate by the Committee Officers.

Approved March 2005
Personal Information and Disclosure Form

As a regular helper in frequent contact with children, please complete and return this form to the Child Protection and Equalities Officer.

Title………………………………………………………………………………….…

First name(s) ………………………………………………………………………..

Surname………………………………………………………………………………

Address ………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………. Postcode ………………………

Telephone (daytime) ………………………….. (evening) ……………………….

Mobile………………………………... Email……………………………………….

Date of birth………………………………………………………………………….

Coaching qualification

…………………………………………………………Expiry date…………………

First aid qualification

…………………………………………… ……………Expiry date………………..

Are you currently, or have you ever been connected with any other youth sports club or activity? YES/NO

If YES, please give details

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Have you ever been convicted of any criminal offences (excluding motoring offences)? YES/NO

If YES, please give details, including any ‘spent’ convictions.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Are you a person whose name is held on the National Register of Sex Offenders or who has been investigated by the Police or any Social Services department as being an actual or potential risk to children or young people? YES/NO

If YES, please give details

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Have you been the subject of any club or organisation disciplinary investigation or sanction relating to child abuse? YES/NO

If YES, please give details

………………………………………………………………………………………….

I understand and accept that the Club may carry out Police, Criminal Records Bureau and other checks on me as and when required or deemed appropriate.

Signed ………………………………………. Date ………………………………...

______________________________________________________________

I confirm that I have seen identification documents relating to this person (eg driving licence or passport). Name and signature of Club Child Protection and Equalities Officer, Chair or Secretary.

Name and position……………………………………………………………………

Signature ……………………………………………………………………………...

Date…………………………………………………………………………….………

Child Protection Report Form

Name of person making the allegation:

Date:

Name of child involved: (complete a separate form if more than one child is involved)

Child’s age:

Parent/guardian’s name:

Parent/guardian’s phone:

Child’s home address:

Parent/guardian’s email:

Is the person making the allegation expressing their own concern or passing on someone else’s?

What has prompted the concern? Are there any physical, behavioural, indirect signs of abuse?

Details of incident or near miss, giving dates, times and any independent witnesses (continue on and attach extra sheets if necessary).

Has anyone from the Club spoken to the child? If so, what was said?

Have the parents/guardian been contacted? If so what was said?

Form completed by:

Name Club role/position