Child Protection Policy

Our thanks go to St. Martins FC Junior Club who have allowed us to use their Child Protection Policy documentation to post as an example as to what ALL Clubs should be doing.

ST MARTIN’S FOOTBALL CLUB CHILD PROTECTION POLICY, PROCEDURES AND GUIDANCE

Introduction
This document sets out the Club’s policy and procedures aimed at providing protection for, and preventing abuse of, children who take part in activities organised by the Club. Such activities include:

  • Coaching Sessions
  • Football matches
  • Social activities

Policy
The Club is aware that there is the potential for abuse of children who take part in activities organised by the Club, and will take appropriate steps to minimise the risk of such abuse and to react appropriately to allegations of abuse.

Procedures
The Club’s procedures to minimise the risk of child abuse are in two parts.

Firstly, the Club will carry out checks with the Criminal Records Bureau to ensure the coaches do not hold previous convictions which affect their suitability to work with Children. Any existing or future coach must provide their full name and date of birth in order aforementioned checks can be completed. Failure to cooperate with this process will prevent the individual form becoming a coach within the club.

Secondly, the main precaution to prevent child abuse allegations will be for the Club to manage the coaching activities so that no one member of the Club or helper is left alone with a child or children without another responsible adult present. The Club’s procedures to react to an allegation of abuse involve listening carefully to the allegation, recording what was alleged and reporting to the Club’s Child Protection Officer. The Child Protection Officer will deal with the matter in accordance with Multi-agency Child Protection Procedures.

Management of Activities
The committee or group of members responsible for each activity involving children will plan the event to ensure that no one adult is left alone with a child or children without another responsible adult present. Before the event, Club members and helpers involved will be reminded of the need to avoid being alone with a child or children (see Appendix A)

Allegations of Abuse
If any member of the Club receives an allegation of child abuse or similar improper conduct he/she must:

  • Listen very carefully to the allegation and clarify the details as far as possible without using leading questions.
  • If possible, be clear about who was involved (victim and alleged perpetrator) when, where etc.
  • Avoid making comment about the incident or the alleged perpetrator.
  • Give reassurance that it is right to report the incident to you and inform the child you will have to report the matter to the proper authorities but will otherwise keep the matter confidential.
  • Make a note of what was said as soon as possible, including time and date your notes were made. Please ensure your handwriting is legible as this could be potential evidence. Please print your name at the bottom of your notes.
  • Inform your Child Protection Officer, Jill Snell The Child Protection Officer will deal with the matter in accordance with Multi-agency Child Protection Procedures.

Appendix
St Martin’s Football Club CHILD PROTECTION POLICY REMINDER TO CLUB MEMBERS/HELPERS

At any Club activity involving children, to avoid any allegation of child abuse:

  • You must not be alone with a child or children, without another responsible adult present, at any time.
  • In the unlikely event that you receive an allegation of child abuse against any member of the Club or helper at any Club event, please:
    • Listen very carefully to the allegation and clarify the details as far as possible (without using leading questions).
      If possible, be clear about who was involved (victim and alleged perpetrator) when, where etc.
    • Avoid making comment about the incident or the alleged perpetrator.
    • Give reassurance that it is right to report the incident to you and inform the child you will have to report the matter to the proper authorities but will otherwise keep the matter confidential.
    • Make a note of what was said as soon as possible, including time and date your notes were made. Please ensure your handwriting is legible as this could be potential evidence. Please print your name and the bottom of your notes.
    • Inform your Child Protection Officer, Jill Snell The Child Protection Officer will deal with the matter in accordance with Multi-agency Child Protection Procedures.
Aug 19, 2016 | Posted by | Comments Off on Child Protection Policy