KSC
Sports/Activities
Child Protection Policy | Code of Conduct | Code of Practice | Constitution | Website Policy
| Code of Practice |
Players and Coach Protection Policy & Code PracticeBackground
- SFA Guidelines
- Legislation
- Safe Learning EnvironmentPolicy Statement
- The welfare of the individual is paramount
- Duty of care
- Self-responsibility - Youngsters
- CPC Characteristics
- The Role of the CPC
- Liaison with Social Work / Police Procedures / Advice / Personal Judgement Confidentiality
- Recording of information
- Referral to External Agencies
- Risk Reduction
- Co-operation with External Agencies
- Openness
- Avoid Inappropriate Behaviour/Circumstances
Background
There is a great deal of emotion surrounding child protection. Coaches and parents often deal with this in a defensive manner. These emotions and feelings should be turned around to create a positive learning environment in the development of good practice.
- Review and evaluation of procedures is healthy and is now a requirement of the lead body The Scottish Football Association (SFA).
- Awareness of the SFA Guidelines has been raised briefly at the scouts and coaches meeting in May 2001.
- This document seeks to build on good practice already in existence i.e.
- Relationships with youngsters are open and honest.
- Training is closely supervised.
- There is an open door policy where youngsters are encouraged to discuss their problems.
Coaches must be informed about child abuse, the forms it can take, its recognition and the steps to take in its prevention. They should also be informed about.
- Current legislation
- Part 5 of the Policy Act 1997
- The sexual Offences Act 2000 and the new offence of Abuse of Trust'
- Youngsters are listened to.
- Youngsters views are taken seriously in all areas of their development.
- Parents are involved.
- Coaches and scouts listen and observe.
- Coach protection is in-built in procedures.
- Evaluation is continuous and ongoing.
The quality of the people involved is extremely important. Understanding the feelings and emotions of others is essential to good progress and to effective coaching and learning.We believe this is really about what kind of people we produce and should be central to coaching plans and development.
POLICY STATEMENT
The Kilwinning Sports Club is committed to practices, which create a safe learning environment where the development of the individual is the main focus.
Individual attention is a crucial area in learning and child development. A central focus on encouragement and appreciation is effective in building confidence and responsibility. What youngsters do when they are away from training is just as important as what they do when they are e.g.
- Behaviour / food-eating patterns
- Relationships
Self-responsibility is a key element in emotional development.
The welfare of the individual child is paramount.
The responsibility lies with the Coaches to protect players from all forms of discrimination and to ensure they are treated equally, regardless of age, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, HIV-Aids status or ability. The Coaches have a major role to play in creating a safer place for young players where they can be safe from harm and abuse.
It is policy of Kilwinning Sports Club to: -
- Discuss, agree and adopt child protection guidelines and issue a code of practice for staff and volunteers;
- Highlight the duty of care owed by all adults to youngsters in their care;
- Share information about good practice with youngsters, parents, staff and volunteers;
- Adopt procedures for recruitment and selection volunteers;
- Provide effective management to staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training;
- Provide opportunities for youngsters to express their views, opinions and develop self-responsibility;
- Review and evaluate the process on an on-going basis;
- Consult with appropriate SFA staff and outside agencies as necessary.
Kilwinning Sports Club will appoint a Child Protection Coordinator to oversee the implementation of the policy and code of practice
Characteristics of Child Protection Co-ordinator (CPC)
The CPC will have: -
- An understanding of, and support of, the introduction of a Child Protection Code of Good Practice
- An understanding and appreciation of the need for confidentiality
- Experience in liasing with organisations such as Social Work or the Police, or experience in representing views clearly to others
- The ability to follow procedures and to know when to seek advice and not rely solely on his own judgement.
The Role of the Child Protection Co-ordinator
The CPC will: -
- Ensure all persons working with children and young people at the Club are fully aware of what is required of them within the protocols of the Code of Good Practice;
- Conduct the administrative work associated with processing information on new Coaches/Volunteers;
- Liase closely with Club Youth Coaches, ensuring that agreed procedures for the minimisation of risk are followed;
- Counsel/advise the Club on matters of policy related to child protection;
- Intimate opportunities for young Coaches to undertake training;
- Act as the contact person on matters relating to child protection at the Club.
- Take details of the alleged suspicion/concern
- Consult with an appropriate child protection professional;
- Social Work Tel 0141 287 8700
- Obtain the name of the individual consulted;
- Follow the advice given by the appropriate agency.
The CPC will contact the Social Work Department to confirm procedures and avoid doubt or uncertainty. The task of deciding whether or not abuse has occurred rests with the professional agencies.
GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR THE CARE OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
- Always be publicly open Avoid situations where coach and player are completely unobserved;
- Encourage an open environment i.e. No secrets;
- Work in pairs in changing rooms where possible;
- Do not spend excessive time alone with youngsters away from others;
- Be aware of the difficulties associated with travel in cars;
- Avoid taking youngsters to your home where they will be alone with you;
- If this arises because of unavoidable circumstances, it should only occur with the full knowledge and consent of: -
- The Child Protection Co-ordinator AND
- The youngsters parent of guardian
Staff or Volunteers should NEVER : -
- Share a room with a youngster;
- Engage in sexually provocative games;
- Allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any form;
- Allow youngsters to use inappropriate language unchallenged;
- Make sexually suggestive comments to a youngster, even in fun;
- Let allegations a youngster makes go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon;
- Do things of a personal nature that youngsters can do for themselves;
- Have youngsters stay at your home with you unsupervised
There is need to be responsive to a youngsters reactions. Youngsters should be given choices where possible.
This is important in developing relationships with staff and volunteers.
REFERENCES
Player and Coach Protection Formulating a Code of Good Practice, How Might a Young person Suffer Abuse Child Protection Awareness and Procedures The Scottish Football Association Protecting Children A Guide for Sportspeople The Good Coaches Guide The National Coaching Foundation.
