SOUTH
NOTTINGHAM HOCKEY CLUB
RULES OF HOCKEY
Click on Rules of Hockey 2005 to view the Rules
CHILD
PROTECTION POLICY
Why
we need a Child Protection Policy
Any
organisation providing services or activities for children and young people
under the age of 18 should have a child protection policy. This is a statement
of intent that demonstrates a commitment to safeguard children involved in sport
from harm.
A child protection policy makes clear to all what is required in relation to the protection of children and young people. It helps to create a safe and positive environment for children and to show that the Club is taking its duty of care seriously.
It is a requirement of the
Coaching Solutions
Hockey League that a club must have a child protection policy if players under
16 are included in adult teams.
The committee as Club Policy
agrees this policy
This policy will be reviewed in
accordance with changing regulations or when required.
Statement of intent for South Nottingham Hockey Club
applying equally to adults and to
children
Discrimination, prejudice, oppressive behaviour or language in relation to any of the following are not acceptable – race, culture, age, gender, disability, religion, sexuality or political persuasion.
Physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse will not be tolerated.
The policy covers the following
areas:
1.
Principles
2.
Definitions of abuse
3.
When action will be taken
4.
Responding to a child who says either they or another child is/are being
abused
5.
Responding to allegations against a member of staff/volunteer or another
young person
6.
Responding to concerns about a child’s welfare where no specific
disclosure/allegation
7.
Recruitment procedures and suitability checks for coaches
8.
Use of photographs and images of children
9.
Contact details for children in our care
10.
Contact details for local social services and police, including out of
hours contacts
11.
Training of coaches and volunteers
12.
General Issues
·
Children and young people have a right
to enjoy sport, free from all forms of abuse and exploitation
·
All children and young people have equal
rights to protection from harm
·
All children and young people should be
encouraged to fulfil their potential and inequalities should be challenged
·
Everybody has a responsibility to
support the care and protection of children
·
Sporting organisations have a duty of
care to children and young people who take part in sport.
2. Definition of Abuse
Child Abuse is any form of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to injury or harm. It commonly occurs within a relationship of trust or responsibility and represents an abuse of power or a breach of trust. Abuse can happen to a child regardless of their age, gender, race or ability.
Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger.
· Neglect – where adults fail to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development (e.g. failure to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment). Neglect in sport could include a coach not ensuring children were safe, exposing them to undue cold, heat or to unnecessary risk of injury.
· Physical abuse – where adults physically hurt or injure children. Examples of physical abuse in Sport may be when the nature and intensity of training and competition exceeds the capacity of the child’s immature and growing body; where drugs are used to enhance performance or delay puberty.
· Sexual abuse – where girls and boys are abused by adults (both male and female) who use children to meet their own sexual needs. In sport, coaching techniques, which involve physical contact with children, could potentially create situations where sexual abuse may go unnoticed. The power of the coach over young performers, if misused, may also lead to abusive situations developing.
· Emotional abuse – is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development? It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. Emotional abuse in Sport may occur if children are subjected to constant criticism, name-calling, and sarcasm, bullying or unrealistic pressure to perform to high expectations consistently.
The above definitions are adapted from Department of Health (1999) Working Together to Safeguard Children – A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
3.
When
action will be taken
South Nottingham Hockey Club believes that every child regardless of age has at all times and in all situations a right to feel safe and protected from any situation or practice that results in a child being physically or psychologically damaged. In our group, if we have suspicions about a child's physical, sexual or emotional well being, we will take action.
4&5
Responding to a child who says either they or another child is/are being abused
and responding to allegations against a member of staff/volunteer or another
young person
Upon the receipt of any information from a child, a coach or a parent or personal suspicions, it is necessary to record what they have seen, heard or know accurately at the time the event occurs.
· Share their concerns with the Club Child Protection Officer and agree action to take.
·
Never investigate allegations yourself.
6.
Responding
to concerns about a child’s welfare where no specific disclosure or allegation
has been made
All volunteers, officers, parents and coaches are encouraged to share concerns with Club Child Protection Officer. If the situation is clearly an urgent case, the child is too frightened to go home or there are very serious doubts about the child's safety, Social Work Services or Police will be contacted immediately. If concerns are more general about a child's welfare, they are encouraged to discuss these with the Club Child Protection Officer. The Club Child Protection Officer should, when appropriate, make a referral to the Social Work Services who will make the necessary arrangements. It is important that all volunteers and staff communicate concerns accurately.
7.
Recruitment procedures and suitability checks for coaches
South Nottingham Hockey Club recognises that child protection should not be treated in isolation - we will take on board guidance given by the England Hockey and Sports Coach UK and will address recruitment and selection of volunteers by doing the following:
· We accept that it is our responsibility as a group to ensure all adults with regular access to children complete a 'self declaration form'
· We will interview prospective volunteers and staff
· We will note at interview all previous relevant experience of volunteers and staff
· We will carry out a probationary period for all volunteers and staff of at least 3 months.
8.
Use of
photographs and images of children
The use of photographs and images of young people
should be controlled to prevent possible misuse. The prevention of misuse will
be addressed by:
·
Monitoring the use of photography by
coaches, volunteers and parents during coaching sessions and events.
·
Seeking agreement from parents/guardians
that photographs can be used as appropriate.
Coaches may use photographs and video as a coaching
aid.
9.
Contact and medical details for children in our care
The Coaches, Captains, Officials of the club should:
· Hold a register of every child involved with the club and have a contact name, number and medical details close to hand in case of emergencies. This is managed by the Club Secretary. Registers should be readily available for reference.
· Coaches will discuss particular medical conditions which may affect a child’s performance, ability or cause an unusual risk. This will be done on a strictly confidential basis.
10.
Contact details for reporting Child Protection Issues
Relevant Club Officers names can be found in the
club Handbook.
The local Area Social Work Office and Police Office contacts are:
·
Area Social Work Office (normal hours)
– 0115-9823823
·
Out of hours Social Work Emergency Service
– 0115-9560437
·
Police Station – 0115-9400999 (Carlton)
11.
Training
of coaches and volunteers
Coaches and volunteers will be trained appropriate to the level of coaching
they are expected to deliver.
12. General Issues
· Treat everyone with respect
· Remember that some issues are confidential
· Provide an example they would wish others to follow
· Where possible consider activities which involve more than one adult being present or at least within sight and hearing of others
· Remember that actions might be misinterpreted by others even if they are well-intentioned
· Respect a child's right to personal privacy
· Provide time for children to talk to them
· Encourage children to respect and care for others
· Take action to stop any inappropriate verbal or physical behaviour
· Develop a group policy for the collection of children after meetings have finished
· Remember to REFER not INVESTIGATE any suspicions or allegations about abuse, following the policy guidelines on reporting
· Only share concerns and seek support from those identified in the group's child protection policy.