Wigan St. Cuthberts A.R.L.F.C.

Senior Officer                                             Junior Officer

Paul Mitchell                                      Rob Griffiths

Tele: 01257 401429                           01942 205373

Mob: 07790-790252                          077844-97536

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction:

Policy statement:

Policy aims:

Good practice guidelines:

Practices to be avoided:

Practices never to be sanctioned:

Incidents that must be reported/recorded:

Use of photographic/filming equipment at sports events:

Recruiting and training of staff and volunteers:

Responding to allegations or suspicions:

1. Concerns about poor practice:

2. Concerns about suspected abuse:

Internal Enquiries and Suspensions:

Support to deal with the aftermath of abuse:

Allegations of previous abuse:

Action if bullying is suspected:

3. Concerns outside the immediate sporting environment ( e.g. parent or carer:

4. Information for social services or the police about suspected abuse:

Introduction:

All sporting organisations which make provisions for children and young people must ensure that:

*1 The welfare of the child is paramount;

*2 All children whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs / or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse;

*3 All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropiately;

All persons ( paid/unpaid) working in sport have a responsibility to report concerns to the appropriate officer.

Policy Statement:

Wigan St. Cuthberts has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved at Wigan St. Cuthberts from harm.

All children have a right to protection, and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into  account.

Wigan St. Cuthberts will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in Wigan St. Cuthberts through adherence to the the child protection guidelines adopted by Wigan St. Cuthberts.

A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 ( The children act 1989 )

Policy Aims:

The aim of the Wigan St. Cuthberts Child Protection Policy is to promote good practice:

*1  Providing children and young people with appropraite safety and protection whilst in the care of  Wigan St. Cuthberts;

*1a  Consideration should be given to the kind of support that children, perants, and members of staff may need.

Use of helplines, support groups and open meeting will maintain an open culture and help the healing process.

The British Association for Counselling Directory is available from The British Association for Counselling,

1, Regent Place, Rugby, CV21 2PJ. Tele: 01788 550899: Fax 01788 562189: Email: bac@bacp.co.uk

internet www.bacp.co.uk

*2  Consideration should be given to what kind of support may be appropriate for the alleged perpetrator.

Allegations of previous abuse:

Allegations of abuse may be made sometime after the event (e.g. by an adult who was abused as a child or by a member of staff who is still currently working with children ).

Where such allegation is made, the club should follow the procedure as detailed above and report the matter to the social services or the police.

This is because other children, either within or outside sport may be at risk from this person.

Anyone who has a previous criminal conviction for offences related to abuse is automatically excluded from working with children.

This is reinforced by the details of the Protection of  Children Act 1999.

Action if bullying is suspected:

If  bullying is suspected, the same procedure should be followed as set out in Responding to suspicions or allegations above.

Action to help the victim and prevent bullying in sport:

*1 Take all signs of bullying seriously.

*2 Encourage all children to speak and share their concerns ( it is believed that up to 12 children per year commit suicide as a result of bullying, so if anyone talks about threatens suicide, seek professional help immediately ).

Help the victim to speak out and tell the person in charge or someone in authority, create a open environment.

*3 Investigate all allagations and take action to ensure the victim is safe.

Speak with the victim and bully ( ies ) separately.

*4 Reassure the victim that you can be trusted and will help them, although you cannot promise to tell no one else.

* 5 Keep records of what is said (what happened, by whom, when ).

* 6 Report any concerns to the Clubs Child Protection Officer or the school ( wherever the bullyng is occurring.

Action towards the bully ( ies )

*1 Talk wth the bully ( ies ) , explain the situation, and try to get the bully ( ies ) to understand the consequences of theie behavior.

Seek an apology to the victim ( s )

* 2 inform the bully ( ies ) parents.

* 3 Insist on the return of borrowed items and that the bully ( ies ) compensate the victim.

* 4 Provide support for the victims coach.