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Crusaders Football, Athletic and Sports Club
Child Protection Policy and Policy for Player Welfare Crusaders FA&SC Seaview St Vincent Street Shore Road Belfast BT15 3PL
CONTENTS 1. Policy Statement 2. Equality Statement 3. Standards Set will be achieved Through 4. Designated Person 5. Reporting Accidents 6. Reporting Incidents 7. Safe Working / Safe Playing Practices 8. Crusaders FC Rights 9. Code of Conduct for Coaches & Volunteers 10. Code of Conduct / Rights of Children & Young People 11. Code of Conduct / Rights of Parents 12. Guidelines on transportation 13. Categories of Abuse · Child Neglect · Emotional Abuse · Physical Abuse · Sexual Abuse · Bullying 14. Indicators of Abuse · Physical · Behavioural · Examples of reasonable grounds of concern 15. Guidelines for Responding to a Disclosure · Do’s · Don’ts 16. Reporting Child Abuse 17. Confidentiality 18. Recruitment & Training of Coaches and Volunteers 19. Useful Contacts 20. Signatories
Appendix 1 Accident Report Form Appendix 2 Incident Report Form Appendix 3 Parental Consent Form
CRUSADERS FOOTBALL, ATHLETIC & SPORTS CLUB
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY &POLICY FOR PLAYER WELFARE POLICY
1. POLICY STATEMENT Crusaders Football, Athletic and Sports Club (hereafter ‘Crusaders FC’, or ‘the club’)is committed to the model of fair play as defined by the European code of sports ethics (European Sports Charter and Code of Ethics, Council of Europe, 1993) a practice that protects children from harm. We in the organisation accept and recognise our responsibility to develop awareness of the practices, which cause children harm. We endeavour to safeguard children by implementing our policy and procedures in line with the Department of Health National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children, Children First 1999, and with articles 19 and 34 of the United Nations Convention on the Right or the Child.
To achieve this we will · Develop an awareness of Good Practice, Poor Practice and Practice to be avoided, Abuse and Bullying. · Identify Child Protection Officer to whom children can turn to if they need to talk. · Adopt child protection guidelines through codes of conduct for children participating in the sport and all adults (coaches, parents and volunteers) involved with them. · Ensure careful recruitment, selection and management procedures for all adults involved with children in the sport. · Ensure clear reporting procedures for responding to disclosure, suspicions and allegations maintaining confidentiality at all times. · Preview our child protection regularly.
Crusaders FC aspires to embraces youth through the development of structure that allow any young person in Ireland to participate in surfing and to reach their full potential with emphasis on enjoyment and safety ensuring a positive experience is gained at all times from the sport. The club undertakes to promote a child centred ethos, hand in hand with identifying and eliminating practices that impact negatively on safe and enjoyable participation in the sport for young people. We recognise that child welfare and the protection of young people is the concern of all adults at all times, irrespective of their role in the organisation. Each club must accept this as part of their responsibility and duty to care for young people. Crusaders FC are committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and require all members of whatever level of authority to abide and adhere to this general principle. The club will not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability, nationality or ethnic or national origin, or membership of the traveller community. All children should be valued and treated in an equal and fair manner regardless of ability, age, sex, religion, social and ethnic background or political persuasion. Children, irrespective of ability or disability should be involved in sports activities in an integrated and inclusive way, whenever possible, thus allowing them to participate to their full potential alongside other children. Children have the right to be safe. All coaches should ensure that this fundamental principle takes precedence over all other considerations 3. STANDARDS SET BY CRUSADERS FOOTBALL CLUB WILL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH: · Awareness of issues which lead children to be harmed · Safe recruiting procedures for volunteer coaches · Provision of training for Volunteer coaches · Codes of behaviour for children/ young people · Codes of behaviour for parents · Good safe and working /practices · Establishment of procedures for dealing with recording of complaints/accidents · The Club have procedures specifically to bullying, away trips and photography · Identification and maintenance of parental responsibility · Availability of information · Regular review of Child protection procedures by Management Committee · That all children are treated equally This policy applies to all those involved in Crusaders Football Club, coaches, administrators, officials, volunteer drivers, parents and young people. 4. DESIGNATED PERSON The Designated person within Crusaders Football Club is: Mr. Bill Ramsey C/o Seaview, St. Vincent Street, Belfast, BT15 3PL Tel 07951512552 The name of the designated person shall be made known to young members, coaches and parents alike, as to whom concerns should be made known. If the concern is about the designated person the complaint should be made to the Club Chairman. The Club has in place procedures for dealing with concern, but the first point of contact should be with the designated officer. Though any individual has the right to contact Social Services or PSNI. If they have concerns regarding a child’s safety. 5. GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING ACCIDENTS
Contact GP / emergency Services Record in detail all facts surrounding the accident. 6. GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING ALLEGATIONS/ INCIDENTS
The designated person will be responsible for storing any report in a safe and secure environment. 7. SAFE WORKING /PLAYING PRACTICESCrusaders FC will ensure
8. CRUSADERS FOOTBALL CLUB HAS THE RIGHT TO;
9. CODES OF BEHAVIOUR FOR COACHES/ VOLUNTEERSCoaches and volunteers are expected to;
Not taking children alone in a car on journeys Not spending excessive time alone with children away from others Never taking children to their home Not administering first aid involving removal of child’s clothing unless in the presence of another and with the child’s permission. COACHES / VOLUNTEERS HAVE A RIGHT TO: Access ongoing training and information on all aspects of leading / managing activities for youths, particularly on child protection
Any misdemeanours and general misbehaviour will be dealt with immediately and reported verbally to designated person. Persistent breach of the code will result in dismissal from the club. Dismissals can be appealed with final decision taken by Club Committee
10. CODES OF BEHAVIOUR FOR CHILDREN/ YOUNG PEOPLE
CHILDREN / YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO;
Any misdemeanours and general behaviour will be dealt with by the immediate coach and reported verbally to designated person. Persistent misbehaviour will result in dismissal from the club. Parents will be informed. Dismissals can be appealed by child / parent with final decision taken by club committee. 11. CODES OF BEHAVIOUR FOR PARENTS; Parents are expected to;
PARENTS/GUARDIANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO:
12. GUIDELINES ON TRANSPORTING A CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON IN YOUR CAR The issue of transporting children has become very sensitive for sports leaders and parents. Many coaches argue that their club could not operate without the goodwill of volunteer’s parents ensuring that their children are returned home or transported to events in a private car. It is encouraged by CPSU and SCNI that coaches should not take children alone in a car. The following safety measures should be put in lace to minimise risk;
These points minimise risk and best advice is to avoid transporting children alone in a car. 13. CATEGORIES OF ABUSE Abuse is normally categories into four different types, neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. 13 I) Child Neglect Neglect is normally defined in terms of an omission, where a child suffers significant harm or impairment of development by being deprived of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision and safety, attachment to and affection from adults, or medical care. It may also include neglect of a child's basic emotional needs. Neglect generally becomes apparent in different ways over a period of time rather than at one specific point. For instance, a child who suffers a series of minor injuries is not having his or her needs for supervision and safety met. The threshold of significant harm is reached when the child's needs are neglected to the extent that his or her well being and/or development is severely affected. 13 ii) Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse is normally to be found in the relationship between an adult and a child rather than in a specific event or pattern of events. It occurs when a child's need for affection, approval, consistency and security are not met. It is rarely manifested in terms of physical symptoms. For children with disabilities it may include over-protection or conversely failure to acknowledge or understand a child's disability. Examples of emotional abuse include:
Children show signs of emotional abuse by their behaviour for example, excessive clinginess to or avoidance of the parent/guardian, their emotional state (low self-esteem, unhappiness), or their development (non-organic failure to thrive). The threshold of significant harm is reached when abusive interactions dominate and become typical of the relationship between the child and the parent/guardian. 13 iii) Physical Abuse Physical abuse is any form of non-accidental injury that causes significant harm to a child, including:
13 IV) 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, For example:
13 v) Bullying Bullying should be challenged in any form i.e. physical or emotional. Physical bulling can take the form of attacks, such as hitting, kicking, taking or damaging belongings. Emotional bullying may be a verbal assault, including name-calling, insults, repeat teasing, sectarian/racist assaults, or it may take more indirect forms, such as spreading malicious gossip, rumours or excluding someone from the group. Bullying is not an accepted behaviour be they child, coach, volunteer or parent. Anyone found to be bullying others will be dealt with seriously both in regards to the behaviour exhibited and the reasons for the behaviour. 14. INDICATORS OF ABUSEBelow are some indictors of abuse but there are many more. 14 I) PHYSICAL INDICATORS · Unexplained bruising in soft tissue areas · Repeated injuries · Black eyes · Injuries to the mouth · Torn or bloodstained clothing · Burns or scalds · Bites · Fractures · Marks from implements · Inconsistent stories/excuses relating to injuries 14 ii) BEHAVIOURAL INDICATORS · Unexplained changes in behaviour - becoming withdrawn or aggressive · Difficulty in making friends · Distrustful of adults or excessive attachment to adults · Sudden drop in performance · Changes in attendance pattern · Inappropriate sexual awareness, behaviour or language · Reluctance to remove clothing 14 iii) EXAMPLES OF REASONABLE GROUNDS FOR CONCERN · Specific indication from the child that He or She was abused. · An account by a person who saw the child being abused. · Evidence- such as an injury or behaviour, which is consistent with abuse and unlikely to be caused another way. · Consistent indication over a period of time, which the child is suffering from emotional or physical abuse. · A pattern of injuries and an implausible explanation. · Other indicators of abuse. 15. GUIDELINES FOR RESPONDING TO A DISCLOSURE Do's · Stay calm. · Listen & hear. Give the person time to say what they want. · Reassure them that they have done the right thing in telling and that it will be dealt with appropriately. · Record in writing what was said as soon as possible · Report to someone else in the organisation - "the designated person". · Record your report. Don’ts · Panic. · Promise to keep secrets. · Enquire into the details of the abuse. · Make a child repeat the story unnecessarily. 16. REPORTING CHILD ABUSEIt is important to note that the club Child Protection Officer Officers does not have the responsibility of assessing, investigating or validating child protection concerns within the organisation. It is possible that child protection concerns will be brought to the attention of the Children’s Officer, as they may be regarded as being in a position of trust by the participants they come into contact with. If they do receive a disclosure they should be aware of the reporting procedure within their club and liase with their designated officer. The following steps should be taken in reporting child abuse to the statutory authorities: · Observe and note dates, times, locations and context in which the incident occurred or suspicion was aroused, together with any other relevant information. - name and address and age of child - time and date - a factual description without comment or interpretation - the exact words spoken by the child - keep clear and concise - Signature of recorder. · Report the matter as soon as possible to the person designated for reporting abuse (the senior office holder). If the Designated Officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the child has been abused or is at risk of abuse, s/he will make a report to the health board/ social services that have statutory responsibility to investigate and assess suspected or actual child abuse. · In cases of emergency, where a child appears to be at immediate and serious risk and the Designated Officer is unable to contact a duty social worker, the police should be contacted. Under no circumstances should a child be left in a dangerous situation pending intervention by the Statutory Authorities. · If the Designated Officer is unsure whether reasonable grounds for concern exist or not, s/he should informally consult with the local health board/ social services. S/he will be advised whether or not the matter requires a formal report. · A designated officer reporting suspected or actual child abuse to the Statutory Authorities should first inform the family of their intention to make such a report, unless doing so would endanger the child or undermine an investigation. · A report should be given by the Designated Officer to the Statutory Authorities in person by phone and in writing. · It is best to report child abuse concerns by making personal contact with the relevant personnel in the Statutory Authorities. · There is protection from civil liability for reporting under the protection for persons reporting child abuse Act 1998. · If the Designated Officer does not make a referral they must write their reasons why. 17. CONFIDENTIALITYConfidentiality is about managing information in a respectful, professional and purposeful manner. Confidentiality should be maintained in respect to all issues and people involved in concerns about the welfare of a child or bad practice within a club. It is important that the rights of both the child and the person about whom the complaint has been made are protected. The following points should be borne in mind:
18. RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF COACHES/ VOLUNTEERS Crusaders FC are committed to preventing unsuitable people from working with children within the association. It is recognised that thorough recruitment and training procedures can assist in ensuring that unsuitable people are prevented from entering the association to work with children. · Coaches/ Volunteers working with children in the association should be carefully selected, trained and supervised. · All Coaches/ Volunteers must agree to abide by the club Child Protection Policy. · All Coach Development Course (and training for volunteers) should include a child protection module. · Any concerns or objections with regard to suitability of a coach/ volunteer must be submitted to the "designated person". · All Coaches/ Volunteers should participate in Child Protection training as arranged by the club or governing body (IFA) · Training should be updated and reviewed regularly. · A job description clearly identifying roles and responsibilities should be drawn up · Applications for positions should be in writing and include name, address, and experience, qualifications, training, past employers, any criminal record or known to social services, two references. · All references, qualification and training should be properly checked.
·
Coaches
/volunteers should be screened by interview and an induction programme. 19. IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATIONPolice Service for Northern Ireland Crusaders FA&SC Child Protection Officer
The Sports
Council for Northern Ireland
NI Volunteer
Development Agency
Child Care NI
- Children (NI) Order
NIPPA-Pre-School
Playgroup
Northern
Ireland Institute of Coaching
Pre-Employment
Consultancy Service
NSPCC Helpline 20 SIGNATORIES: CHILD PROTECTION AND WELFARE POLICY SIGNED Robert White POSITION TREASURER
SIGNED Bill Ramsey POSITION CHILD PROTECTION LIAISON OFFICER CRUSADERS FOOTBALL, ATHLETIC & SPORTS CLUB ST VINCENT STREET BELFAST BT15 3QG Appendix 1 ACCIDENT REPORT FORM
Appendix 2 INCIDENT REPORT FORM
Remember to maintain confidentiality on a need to know basis – only if it will protect the child. Do not discuss this incident with anyone other than those who need to know.
Appendix 3 PARENTAL CONSENT FORM
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