Child Protection
1 Introduction
Anyone may have the potential to abuse children in some way. Children are abused regardless of class, age, race, origin, disability or sexual identity.
It is the responsibility of every adult to protect children from abuse. Abuse can occur at home, school or in the case of Cirencester Club in sports, leisure and recreation environment.
Some people actively seek voluntary work with children so that they can
abuse/harm them.
Cirencester Cricket Club has a general duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (i.e. young people and "juniors" under the age of 18 years).
A formal procedure for such set in place is identified as an example of good practice and vital to the development of opportunities for young people.
Thus Cirencester Cricket Club needs to ensure that regularly monitored
procedures are in place and to ensure that our coaches and voluntary helpers working with children have a basic knowledge and understanding of child protection.
2. Implementation
All members of Cirencester Cricket Club and in particular those working with children are required to be CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) cleared and as a minimum to have knowledge and understanding of the following:
• Definitions of child abuse
• Main forms of abuse
• Effects of abuse
• Recognising abuse
• Responding to allegations of abuse
• Selection of members working with children
• Code of ethics
Cirencester Cricket Club will display a copy of the Child Protection Policy
Statement on its notice board at their headquarters at The Park Cirencester and other Clubs and organisations, that use the Club and whose work involves children, will be encouraged to adopt the Child Protection Policy.
3. Responsibility
The Club is responsible for approving and revising the procedure and the Management Committee of the Club are responsible for implementing the procedure.
The role of Club Welfare Officer (CWO) and the Assistant Child (ACWO)
Welfare Officer in respect of Child Protection is:
• to undergo basic level training in child protection
• make sure the children and "juniors" using the Club facilities and their
parents/carers know about the Child Protection Policy and procedures, and to whom they need to speak to if they have any concerns
• to receive information from coaches, helpers, children or parents and carers who have concerns and record it on the report form
• assess the information promptly and carefully
• consult initially with a statutory child protection agency such as the local Social Services Department, Health Board or the NSPCCC, to test out any doubts or uncertainties about concerns as soon as possible.
• make a formal referral to a statutory Child Protection Agency or the Police without delay. It is NOT the role of the Club to decide whether the child has been abused or not. This is the legal responsibility of Social Services.
• to retain a current list of relevant contact numbers and addresses of statutory agencies
4. Definitions of child abuse
Child abuse consists of anything which individuals, institutions or processes do or fail to do which directly harms children or damages their prospects of a safe and healthy development into adulthood.
5. What is child abuse?
Neglect includes situations in which adults:
• fail to meet the child's basic needs (e.g. food warm clothing)
• constantly leave the child alone and unsupervised
• fail to give their children love and affection
Neglect could include a sports coach failing to ensure the safety of children, exposing them to undue cold, heat or to unnecessary injury.
Physical abuse is usually used to describe situations in which adults:
• physically hurt or injure children, (e.g. by hitting, shaking, biting,
squeezing or burning)
• give children alcohol, inappropriate drugs or poisons
• attempt to suffocate or drown children
Sexual abuse is when adults (male or female), use children to meet their own sexual needs. This might be through:
• full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse or
fondling
• showing children pornographic books, photographs or videos
Sports, which involve physically supporting children during the learning skills, may potentially create situations in which sexual abuse may go unnoticed.
Emotional abuse is when children:
• persistently lack love and affection
• are constantly overprotected denying them opportunity to mix and
socialize
• are constantly shouted at, threatened or taunted making them withdrawn or negatively influencing their feelings of competence and self
worth are affected
5.1 Recognizing abuse
There are signs, which could alert you to the fact that a child might be being abused.
These could include:
• unexplained or untreated injuries or bruising
• sexually explicit language or actions
• a child describing an abusive act to you
• unexplained changes in behaviour
• a change observed over a long period of time
• increasingly dirty or unkempt
• a distrust of adults
This list is not exclusive and the presence of one or more of the indicators is not proof that abuse is actually taking place
6. Responding to allegations of suspicions of child abuse
It is not the responsibility of Club individuals to decide whether or not child abuse is taking place. However Club individuals do have a responsibility to report any allegations or suspicions to the Club's CWO or ACWO , who in turn will take the appropriate action.
Where any kind of abuse is suspected it is the duty of the CWO or ACWO to ensure that he/she:
1. Is well informed in child protection issues
2. Can advise and support Club members in child protection issues
3. Report any suspicions or allegations to the necessary authorities, who should then take the matter further
7. Responding to the child
If you have been alerted to the possibility that abuse is occurring it is
important that you are aware how to respond to the situation. By listening carefully and taking seriously what you are being told you are already beginning to protect the child. It is important to:
• stay calm and do not show distaste, disgust or anger
• understand how difficult it is for the child to confide in you
• provide reassurance and stress to the child that he/she is not to blame
• do not ask direct questions - who, what, where, when and do not put words into the child's mouth by suggesting what has happened and by whom
• listen and believe what you are being told
• reassure the child but do not make promises of confidentiality, which may not be feasible in the light of subsequent developments. Explain early on that the information will need to be shared and what the steps will be (as simply as possible).
• make a full record of what has been said, heard and/or seen as soon as possible using the child's own words and inform the CWO or ACWO as soon as possible.
8. Reporting Concerns
When a child protection concern arises, it is essential that a confidential record is maintained of what is said or seen and what action was taken.
These sensitive records are to be kept in a locked drawer, with access limited to the CWO and ACWO and any other designated personal as appropriate.
Items to be included in the confidential record are:-
Name of child
Child's address
Name of parent/carer(s)
Phone numbers of parents/carer(s) and child
What is said to have happened or was seen
When and where it occurred
Who else, if anyone, was involved and how
What was said by those involved
Were there any obvious signs e.g. bruising, bleeding, changed behaviour
Was the child able to say what happened, if so, how did they describe it
Who has been told about it and when
Do the parents/carers know
Signature of person filing the record
Date of record
9. Safe Selection & Recruitment of coaches and voluntary helpers
All staff and volunteers including coaches and helpers should be subject to a careful selection process which should include the following elements:
completion of an application form
checking the persons identity by photograph say a passport
an interview preferably by two people
if previously unknown to the club ask for references and verify by a follow up phone call
if previously known to the club recommendations/references
supporting statements should be gained from two club members
obtain full disclosure through checks from Criminal Records Bureau
no unsupervised access to children and young people until the CRB
check is in place
seek advice about recruiting someone with a criminal record or other
types of offences if you are concerned
all volunteers working with children and young people will be fully
aware of the Club's Child Protection Policy and of the Coaches code of
ethics.
10. Professional Behaviour
The promotion of good practice will help protect coaches and volunteers
whilst also minimizing the risks to the children and young people.
AVOID
• spending time with a child away from other helpers
• taking a child alone in a car, however short the journey
• taking children to your home where they will be alone with you
NEVER:
• Engage in rough physical or sexually proactive games or horseplay
• Allow or engage in needless touching
• Allow children to use rude or coarse language unchallenged
• Make sexually suggestive comments to a child even in fun
• Ignore allegations which a child makes
• Do personal things that a child can do for themselves
11. Physical Contact
At times it is inevitable that physical contact will occur between coaches,
volunteers and a child. These could be:
• Administering First Aid - be aware of sensitive and delicate areas of a child's body
• Try to ensure another adult is with you and always explain to the child what you are going to do and ask for permission to proceed
• Coaching - when sport requires physical contact, (for technical support or correction), make sure there are clear guidelines of what and what is not acceptable. Adopt a coaching style, which maintains distance between you and the child. Seek permission to invade a child's personal space.
12. Code of Ethics
For the safety and security of young people, members of Cirencester Cricket Club who work with young people will be strongly motivated, well trained and guided by good principles within a sound ethical framework.
All individuals should:
• demonstrate respect for young people
• promote fair play and the positive aspects of sport and physical activity
• display good standards of behaviour
• understand the individual needs of each child
• ensure maximum safety for young people whilst conducting the sport in a fun and progressive manner
• ensure all children have equal opportunities to participate at a level which is appropriate to their own level of experience and development
If the referral relates to an incident outside the responsibilities of the Club, e.g. child abuse or poor parenting, the matter should be referred to the Club Welfare Office who must then inform the County Welfare Officer and who in turn will inform the ECB Child Protection Team.
13. Monitoring and Evaluation
This policy and procedures will be monitored and reviewed on an annual basis or as necessary to ensure that it is being applied correctly, making sure that all persons working with young people understand the procedure and to voice any concerns not covered by the procedure.
In addition to the CWO and ACWO the training of coaches and volunteer helpers will be encouraged.
January 2012
Anyone may have the potential to abuse children in some way. Children are abused regardless of class, age, race, origin, disability or sexual identity.
It is the responsibility of every adult to protect children from abuse. Abuse can occur at home, school or in the case of Cirencester Club in sports, leisure and recreation environment.
Some people actively seek voluntary work with children so that they can
abuse/harm them.
Cirencester Cricket Club has a general duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (i.e. young people and "juniors" under the age of 18 years).
A formal procedure for such set in place is identified as an example of good practice and vital to the development of opportunities for young people.
Thus Cirencester Cricket Club needs to ensure that regularly monitored
procedures are in place and to ensure that our coaches and voluntary helpers working with children have a basic knowledge and understanding of child protection.
2. Implementation
All members of Cirencester Cricket Club and in particular those working with children are required to be CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) cleared and as a minimum to have knowledge and understanding of the following:
• Definitions of child abuse
• Main forms of abuse
• Effects of abuse
• Recognising abuse
• Responding to allegations of abuse
• Selection of members working with children
• Code of ethics
Cirencester Cricket Club will display a copy of the Child Protection Policy
Statement on its notice board at their headquarters at The Park Cirencester and other Clubs and organisations, that use the Club and whose work involves children, will be encouraged to adopt the Child Protection Policy.
3. Responsibility
The Club is responsible for approving and revising the procedure and the Management Committee of the Club are responsible for implementing the procedure.
The role of Club Welfare Officer (CWO) and the Assistant Child (ACWO)
Welfare Officer in respect of Child Protection is:
• to undergo basic level training in child protection
• make sure the children and "juniors" using the Club facilities and their
parents/carers know about the Child Protection Policy and procedures, and to whom they need to speak to if they have any concerns
• to receive information from coaches, helpers, children or parents and carers who have concerns and record it on the report form
• assess the information promptly and carefully
• consult initially with a statutory child protection agency such as the local Social Services Department, Health Board or the NSPCCC, to test out any doubts or uncertainties about concerns as soon as possible.
• make a formal referral to a statutory Child Protection Agency or the Police without delay. It is NOT the role of the Club to decide whether the child has been abused or not. This is the legal responsibility of Social Services.
• to retain a current list of relevant contact numbers and addresses of statutory agencies
4. Definitions of child abuse
Child abuse consists of anything which individuals, institutions or processes do or fail to do which directly harms children or damages their prospects of a safe and healthy development into adulthood.
5. What is child abuse?
Neglect includes situations in which adults:
• fail to meet the child's basic needs (e.g. food warm clothing)
• constantly leave the child alone and unsupervised
• fail to give their children love and affection
Neglect could include a sports coach failing to ensure the safety of children, exposing them to undue cold, heat or to unnecessary injury.
Physical abuse is usually used to describe situations in which adults:
• physically hurt or injure children, (e.g. by hitting, shaking, biting,
squeezing or burning)
• give children alcohol, inappropriate drugs or poisons
• attempt to suffocate or drown children
Sexual abuse is when adults (male or female), use children to meet their own sexual needs. This might be through:
• full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse or
fondling
• showing children pornographic books, photographs or videos
Sports, which involve physically supporting children during the learning skills, may potentially create situations in which sexual abuse may go unnoticed.
Emotional abuse is when children:
• persistently lack love and affection
• are constantly overprotected denying them opportunity to mix and
socialize
• are constantly shouted at, threatened or taunted making them withdrawn or negatively influencing their feelings of competence and self
worth are affected
5.1 Recognizing abuse
There are signs, which could alert you to the fact that a child might be being abused.
These could include:
• unexplained or untreated injuries or bruising
• sexually explicit language or actions
• a child describing an abusive act to you
• unexplained changes in behaviour
• a change observed over a long period of time
• increasingly dirty or unkempt
• a distrust of adults
This list is not exclusive and the presence of one or more of the indicators is not proof that abuse is actually taking place
6. Responding to allegations of suspicions of child abuse
It is not the responsibility of Club individuals to decide whether or not child abuse is taking place. However Club individuals do have a responsibility to report any allegations or suspicions to the Club's CWO or ACWO , who in turn will take the appropriate action.
Where any kind of abuse is suspected it is the duty of the CWO or ACWO to ensure that he/she:
1. Is well informed in child protection issues
2. Can advise and support Club members in child protection issues
3. Report any suspicions or allegations to the necessary authorities, who should then take the matter further
7. Responding to the child
If you have been alerted to the possibility that abuse is occurring it is
important that you are aware how to respond to the situation. By listening carefully and taking seriously what you are being told you are already beginning to protect the child. It is important to:
• stay calm and do not show distaste, disgust or anger
• understand how difficult it is for the child to confide in you
• provide reassurance and stress to the child that he/she is not to blame
• do not ask direct questions - who, what, where, when and do not put words into the child's mouth by suggesting what has happened and by whom
• listen and believe what you are being told
• reassure the child but do not make promises of confidentiality, which may not be feasible in the light of subsequent developments. Explain early on that the information will need to be shared and what the steps will be (as simply as possible).
• make a full record of what has been said, heard and/or seen as soon as possible using the child's own words and inform the CWO or ACWO as soon as possible.
8. Reporting Concerns
When a child protection concern arises, it is essential that a confidential record is maintained of what is said or seen and what action was taken.
These sensitive records are to be kept in a locked drawer, with access limited to the CWO and ACWO and any other designated personal as appropriate.
Items to be included in the confidential record are:-
Name of child
Child's address
Name of parent/carer(s)
Phone numbers of parents/carer(s) and child
What is said to have happened or was seen
When and where it occurred
Who else, if anyone, was involved and how
What was said by those involved
Were there any obvious signs e.g. bruising, bleeding, changed behaviour
Was the child able to say what happened, if so, how did they describe it
Who has been told about it and when
Do the parents/carers know
Signature of person filing the record
Date of record
9. Safe Selection & Recruitment of coaches and voluntary helpers
All staff and volunteers including coaches and helpers should be subject to a careful selection process which should include the following elements:
completion of an application form
checking the persons identity by photograph say a passport
an interview preferably by two people
if previously unknown to the club ask for references and verify by a follow up phone call
if previously known to the club recommendations/references
supporting statements should be gained from two club members
obtain full disclosure through checks from Criminal Records Bureau
no unsupervised access to children and young people until the CRB
check is in place
seek advice about recruiting someone with a criminal record or other
types of offences if you are concerned
all volunteers working with children and young people will be fully
aware of the Club's Child Protection Policy and of the Coaches code of
ethics.
10. Professional Behaviour
The promotion of good practice will help protect coaches and volunteers
whilst also minimizing the risks to the children and young people.
AVOID
• spending time with a child away from other helpers
• taking a child alone in a car, however short the journey
• taking children to your home where they will be alone with you
NEVER:
• Engage in rough physical or sexually proactive games or horseplay
• Allow or engage in needless touching
• Allow children to use rude or coarse language unchallenged
• Make sexually suggestive comments to a child even in fun
• Ignore allegations which a child makes
• Do personal things that a child can do for themselves
11. Physical Contact
At times it is inevitable that physical contact will occur between coaches,
volunteers and a child. These could be:
• Administering First Aid - be aware of sensitive and delicate areas of a child's body
• Try to ensure another adult is with you and always explain to the child what you are going to do and ask for permission to proceed
• Coaching - when sport requires physical contact, (for technical support or correction), make sure there are clear guidelines of what and what is not acceptable. Adopt a coaching style, which maintains distance between you and the child. Seek permission to invade a child's personal space.
12. Code of Ethics
For the safety and security of young people, members of Cirencester Cricket Club who work with young people will be strongly motivated, well trained and guided by good principles within a sound ethical framework.
All individuals should:
• demonstrate respect for young people
• promote fair play and the positive aspects of sport and physical activity
• display good standards of behaviour
• understand the individual needs of each child
• ensure maximum safety for young people whilst conducting the sport in a fun and progressive manner
• ensure all children have equal opportunities to participate at a level which is appropriate to their own level of experience and development
If the referral relates to an incident outside the responsibilities of the Club, e.g. child abuse or poor parenting, the matter should be referred to the Club Welfare Office who must then inform the County Welfare Officer and who in turn will inform the ECB Child Protection Team.
13. Monitoring and Evaluation
This policy and procedures will be monitored and reviewed on an annual basis or as necessary to ensure that it is being applied correctly, making sure that all persons working with young people understand the procedure and to voice any concerns not covered by the procedure.
In addition to the CWO and ACWO the training of coaches and volunteer helpers will be encouraged.
January 2012
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