Shotwick Lake Sailing Child Welfare Policy and Procedures 

 

Policy Statement 

It is the policy of Shotwick Lake Sailing to safeguard children and young people taking part in boating from physical, sexual or emotional harm.  Shotwick Lake Sailing will take all reasonable steps to ensure that, through appropriate procedures and training, children participating in activities do so in a safe environment.  We recognise that the safety and welfare of the child is paramount and that all children, whatever their age, gender, disability, culture, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, social status or sexual identity, have a right to protection from abuse.

 

The Shotwick Lake Sailing actively seeks to: 

·                     Create a safe and welcoming environment, both on and off the water, where children can have fun and develop their skills and confidence.

·                     Recognise that safeguarding children is the responsibility of everyone, not just those who work with children.

·                     Ensure that organised training and events are run to the high safety standards.

·                     Be prepared to review its ways of working to incorporate best practice.

 

We will: 

·                     Treat all children with respect and celebrate their achievements.

·                     Carefully recruit and select all employees, contractors and volunteers as appropriate.

·                     Respond swiftly and appropriately to all complaints and concerns about poor practice or suspected or actual child abuse.

 

This policy relates to all employees, contractors and volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults in the course of their roles at the club.  It will be kept under periodic review.  All relevant concerns, allegations, complaints should be raised with the Club Child Welfare Officer and their outcome who will notified to the RYA Child Protection Co-ordinator.

For the purposes of this policy anyone under the age of 18 should be considered as a child.  All members of the Club should be aware of the policy. 

 

Club Welfare Officer 

The Club Welfare Officer is Tim Bowden  Tel 01352 810410

email training @shotwicksailing.org 

The RYA’s Child Protection Co-ordinator is Jackie Reid, Personnel and Administration Manager, tel. 023 8060 4104, e-mail jackie.reid@rya.org.uk. 

 

Volunteers                                                                        Rev B Aug 07

The group of volunteers who currently are or have the greatest potential to come into regular contact with young people are instructors associated with RYA and other Training. The Club Committee confirmed at the meeting in July 2007 that all RYA Instructors would be asked to provide references, complete a self-disclosure form and disclosure application form to apply for an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure. The Principal of the training centre will hold the disclosures when received. A new disclosure application form is to be completed and a new enhanced disclosure obtained every three years.

 

Good Practice 

All members of the Club should follow the good practice guidelines attached (see RYA Template 4).  Those working with young people should be aware of the guidance on recognising abuse (see RYA Appendix A). 

Adults are requested not to enter the showers and changing rooms at times when children are changing before or after junior/youth training or racing.  If this is unavoidable it is advised that they are accompanied by another adult. 

The Club will seek written consent from the child and their parents/carers before taking photos or video at an event or training session or publishing such images.  Parents and spectators should be prepared to identify themselves if requested and state their purpose for photography/filming.  If the Club publishes images of children, no identifying information other than names will be included.  Any concerns about inappropriate or intrusive photography or the inappropriate use of images should be reported to the Club Welfare Officer.

 

Concerns 

Anyone who is concerned about a young member’s welfare, either outside the sport or within the Club, should inform the Club Welfare Officer immediately, in strict confidence.  The Club Welfare Officer will follow the attached procedures (see RYA Flowcharts 1 and 2). 

Any member of the Club failing to comply with the Child Protection policy may be subject to disciplinary action under the Memorandum of Association clause 4, termination of membership.  
 

Appendix A – What is child abuse?         

Child abuse is a term used to describe ways in which children are harmed, usually by adults and often by people they know and trust.  It refers to damage done to a child’s physical or mental health.  Child abuse can take many forms: 

Physical abuse where adults or other children: 

• physically hurt or injure children (eg. by hitting, shaking, squeezing, biting or burning)

• give children alcohol, inappropriate drugs or poison

• attempt to suffocate or drown children

• in sport situations, physical abuse might also occur when the nature and intensity of training exceeds the capacity of the child’s immature and growing body.

Neglect includes situations in which adults: 

• fail to meet a child’s basic physical needs (eg. for food, water, warm clothing, essential medication)

• consistently leave children alone and unsupervised

• fail or refuse to give children love, affection or attention

• neglect in a sailing situation might also occur if an instructor or coach fails to ensure that children are safe, or exposes them to undue cold or risk of injury.

Sexual abuse.  Boys and girls are sexually abused when adults (of the same or opposite sex) or other young people use them to meet their own sexual needs.  This could include: 

• full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, fondling

• showing children pornographic books, photographs or videos, or taking pictures for pornographic purposes

• sport situations which involve physical contact (eg. supporting or guiding children) could potentially create situations where sexual abuse may go unnoticed.  Abusive situations may also occur if adults misuse their power over young people.

Emotional abuse can occur in a number of ways.  For example, where: 

• there is persistent lack of love or affection

• there is constant overprotection which prevents children from socialising

• children are frequently shouted at or taunted

• there is neglect, physical or sexual abuse

• emotional abuse in sport might also include situations where parents or coaches subject children to constant criticism, bullying or pressure to perform at a level that the child cannot realistically be expected to achieve.

Bullying may be seen as deliberately hurtful behaviour, usually repeated or sustained over a period of time, where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves.  The bully may often be another young person.  Although anyone can be the target of bullying, victims are typically shy, sensitive and perhaps anxious or insecure.  Sometimes they are singled out for physical reasons – being overweight, physically small, having a disability or belonging to a different race, faith or culture. 

Recognising Abuse     

It is not always easy, even for the most experienced carers, to spot when a child has been abused.  However, some of the more typical symptoms which should trigger your suspicions would include: 

• unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns, particularly if situated on a part of the body not normally prone to such injuries

• sexually explicit language or actions

• a sudden change in behaviour (eg. becoming very quiet, withdrawn or displaying sudden outbursts of temper)

• the child describes what appears to be an abusive act involving him/her

• a change observed over a long period of time (eg. the child losing weight or becoming increasingly dirty or unkempt)

• a general distrust and avoidance of adults, especially those with whom a close relationship would be expected

• an unexpected reaction to normal physical contact

• difficulty in making friends or abnormal restrictions on socialising with others.

It is important to note that a child could be displaying some or all of these signs, or behaving in a way which is worrying, without this necessarily meaning that the child is being abused.  Similarly, there may not be any signs, but you may just feel that something is wrong.  If you have noticed a change in the child’s behaviour, first talk to the parents or carers.  It may be that something has happened, such as a bereavement, which has caused the child to be unhappy. 

 

If you are concerned 

If there are concerns about sexual abuse or violence in the home, talking to the parents or carers might put the child at greater risk.  If you cannot talk to the parents/carers, consult your organisation’s designated Child Protection/Welfare Officer or the person in charge.  It is this person’s responsibility to make the decision to contact Social Services or the Police.  It is NOT their responsibility to decide if abuse is taking place, BUT it is their responsibility to act on your concerns.

Appendix B – RYA Coach Code of Ethics and Conduct  

Sports Coaching helps the development of individuals through improving their performance.

 

This is achieved by:

1                    Identifying and meeting the needs of individuals.

2        Improving performance through a progressing programme of safe, guided practice, measured performance and/or competition.

3        Creating an environment in which individuals are motivated to maintain participation and improve performance.

 

Coaches should comply with the principles of good ethical practice listed below. 

1        All RYA Coaches working with sailors under the age of 18 must have read and understood the Child Protection Policy as detailed on the RYA website at www.rya.org.uk.  If you are unable to access the website please contact the Racing Department for a copy. 

2        Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person and treat everyone equally within the context of their sport. 

3        Coaches must place the well-being and safety of the performer above the development of performance.  They should follow all guidelines laid down by the sport’s governing body and hold appropriate insurance cover. 

4        Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship with performers based on mutual trust and respect.  Coaches must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward. 

5        Coaches must encourage and guide performers to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance. 

6        Coaches should hold up to date and nationally recognised governing body coaching qualifications. 

7        Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual. 

8        Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with performers (and where appropriate their parents) exactly what is expected of them and what performers are entitled to expect from their coach.  A contract may sometimes be appropriate. 

9        Coaches should co-operate fully with other specialists (eg. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interests of the performer. 

10      Coaches should always promote the positive aspects of their sport (eg. fair play) and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited substances. 

11      Coaches must consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.

 

Templates 

Template 1 – Application form for Instructors                                                                     Revised Dec 05

 

To be adapted for voluntary role or paid employment

 

APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF

……………………………………………………………………………………

When completed this form should be returned, marked 'Private and Confidential',

to:  Tim Bowden Chief Instructor

The closing date for applications is ............ 

PERSONAL DETAILS
Title:	Surname:	Other names in full:
Date of birth:			Age:

 

ADDRESS
TELEPHONE, FAX AND E-MAIL
Home Tel: Fax: E-mail: Mobile:		Work Tel: Fax: E-mail: (please state if you do not wish to be contacted at work)
Do you hold a valid UK driving licence?	YES / NO
Do you have any unspent convictions (including motoring offences)? If yes, give brief details	YES / NO
Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with (organisation).  This will depend on the position applied for and the nature of your offence.  If you are applying for a position involving contact with children or vulnerable adults you will be required, at the offer stage, to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau Standard/Enhanced Disclosure.

 

MEDICAL HISTORY
Are there any medical conditions / disabilities which may affect being able to carry out the role as a volunteer.	YES  /  NO
If YES please provide details.