Kings Norton RFC

Child Protection Policy & Procedures

Contents
1.       <= span class=3DHyperlink2>Introduction

2.       = Policy Statement/aims=

3.       Promoting good practice

4.       Good practice guidelines

5.       = Use of photographic/filming equipment

6.       Recruitment and training of = staff and volunteers

7.       Responding to allegations or suspicions

8.       KNRFC Junior Club Rules

9.       Code of Conduct for Parents / Carers=

10.   Code of Conduct for Club Officials and Volunteers=

1. Introduction

All sporting organisations that make provi= sion for children and young people must ensure that:

The welfare of the child= is paramount;

All children, whatever t= heir age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse= ;

All suspicions and alleg= ations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately;

All staff (paid/unpaid) working in sport have a responsibility to report concerns to the appropriate officer.

Staff/volunteers are not trained to deal with situations of abuse or to decide if abuse has occurred.

2. Policy statement<= /p>
Kings Norton Rugby Football Club (KNRFC) has a duty of care to safeguard all children involve= d in KNRFC from harm. All children have a right to protectio= n, and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account. KNRFC will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in KNRFC through adherence to the Child Protection guideli= nes adopted by KNRFC.

A child is def= ined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989).

Policy aims

The aim of the KNRFC Child Protection Policy is to promote good practice:

Providing children and y= oung people with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of KNRFC
Allow all staff /volunte= ers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection iss= ues.

3. Promoting good practice

Child abuse, particularly sexual abuse, can arouse strong emotions in those facing such a situation. It is important to understand these feelings and not allow them to interfere with your judgeme= nt about the appropriate action to take.

Abuse can occu= r within many situations including the home, school and the sporting environment. So= me individuals will actively seek employment or voluntary work with young peop= le in order to harm them. A coach, instructor, teacher, official or volunteer = will have regular contact with young people and be an important link in identify= ing cases where they need protection. All suspicious cases of poor practice sho= uld be reported following the guidelines in this document.

When a child e= nters the club having been subjected to child abuse outside the sporting environm= ent, sport can play a crucial role in improving the child’s self-esteem. In such instances the club must work with the appropriate agencies to ensure t= he child receives the required support.

4. Good practice guidelines

All personnel should be encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behaviour in order to protect themselves from false allegations. The following are common sense examples of how to create a positive culture and climate.

Good practice means:

Always working in an open environment (e.g. avoiding private or unobserved situations and encouraging open communication with no secrets).
Treating all young people/disabled adults equally, and with respect and dignity.
Always putting the welfa= re of each young person first, before winning or achieving goals.
Maintaining a safe and appropriate distance with players (e.g. it is not appropriate for staf= f or volunteers to have an intimate relationship with a child or to share a room with them).
Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers children to share in the decision-making process;
Making sport fun, enjoya= ble and promoting fair play.
Ensuring that if any for= m of manual/physical support is required, it should be provided openly and according to guidelines provided by the Coach Education Programme. Car= e is needed, as it is difficult to maintain hand positions when the child is constantly moving. Young people should always be consulted and their agreement gained. Some parents are becoming increasingly sensitive abo= ut manual support and their views should always be carefully considered. =
Keeping up to date with technical skills, qualifications and insurance in sport.
Involving parents/carers wherever possible. For example, encouraging them to take responsibility for their children in the changing rooms. If groups have to be supervi= sed in the changing rooms, always ensure parents, teachers, coaches or officials work in pairs.
Ensuring that if mixed t= eams are taken away, they should always be accompanied by a male and female member of staff. However, remember that same gender abuse can also occ= ur.
Ensuring that at tournam= ents or residential events, adults should not enter children’s rooms = or invite children into their rooms.
Being an excellent role = model – this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of young people.
Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
Recognising the developm= ental needs and capacity of young people and disabled adults – avoiding excessive training or competition and not pushing them against their w= ill.
Securing parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis, if the need arises to administer emergency first aid and/or other me= dical treatment.
Keeping a written record= of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.=
Requesting written paren= tal consent if club officials are required to transport young people in th= eir cars.

Practices to be avoided

The following should be avoided exc= ept in emergencies. If cases arise where these situations are unavoidable it shoul= d be with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge in the club or the child’s parents. For example, a child sustains an injury and needs to= go to hospital, or a parent fails to arrive to pick a child up at the end of a session:

Avoid spending excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others
Avoid taking or dropping= off a child to an event
=

Practices never to be sanctioned

The following should never be sanct= ioned. You should never:

Engage in rough, physica= l or sexually provocative games, including horseplay
Share a room with a chil= d
Allow or engage in any f= orm of inappropriate touching
Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged
Make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun
Reduce a child to tears = as a form of control
Allow allegations made b= y a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon
Do things of a personal = nature for children or disabled adults, that they can do for themselves =
Invite or allow children= to stay with you at your home unsupervised

N.B. It may sometimes be necessary for staff or volunteer= s to do things of a personal nature for children, particularly if they are young= or are disabled. These tasks should only be carried out with the full understanding and consent of parents and the players involved. There is a n= eed to be responsive to a person’s reactions. If a person is fully depend= ent on you, talk with him/her about what you are doing and give choices where possible. This is particularly so if you are involved in any dressing or undressing of outer clothing, or where there is physical contact, lifting or assisting a child to carry out particular activities. Avoid taking on the responsibility for tasks for which you are not appropriately trained.<= /o:p>

Incidents that must be reported/recorded

If any of the following occur you should r= eport this immediately to another colleague and record the incident. You should a= lso ensure the parents of the child are informed:

If you accidentally hurt= a player.
If he/she seems distress= ed in any manner.
If a player appears to be sexually aroused by your actions.
If a player misunderstan= ds or misinterprets something you have done.

5. Use of photographic/filming equipment at sporting events

There is evidence that some people have us= ed sporting events as an opportunity to take inappropriate photographs or film footage of young and disabled sportspeople in vulnerable positions. All clu= bs should be vigilant and any concerns should to be reported to the Club Child Protection Officer.

Videoing as a coaching aid: there is no intention to prevent club coaches and teachers using video equipment as a legitimate coaching aid. However, performers and their parents/carers should be made aware that this is part of the coaching progr= amme and such films should be stored safely.

6. Recruitment and training of staff and volunteers

KNRFC recognises that anyone may have the potential to abuse children in some way= and that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure unsuitable people are prevent= ed from working with children. Pre-selection checks must included the followin= g:

All volunteers/staff sho= uld complete an application form. The application form will elicit informa= tion about an applicant's past and a self-disclosure about any criminal rec= ord.
Consent should be obtain= ed from an applicant to seek information from the Criminal Records Bureau= .
Two confidential referen= ces, including one regarding previous work with children. These references = must be taken up and confirmed through telephone contact.
Evidence of identity (pa= ssport or driving licence with photo).

Interview and Induction

All employees (and volunteers) will be req= uired to undergo an interview carried out to acceptable protocol and recommendati= ons. All employees and volunteers should receive formal or informal induction, during which:

A check should be made t= hat the application form has been completed in full (including sections on criminal records and self-disclosures).
Their qualifications sho= uld be substantiated.
The job requirements and responsibilities should be clarified.
They should sign up to t= he organisation’s Code of Ethics and Conduct.
Child protection procedu= res are explained and training needs are identified.

Training

In addition to pre-selection checks, the safeguarding process includes training after recruitment to help staff and volunteers to:

Analyse their own practi= ce against established good practice, and to ensure their practice is lik= ely to protect them from false allegations.
Recognise their responsi= bilities and report any concerns about suspected poor practice or possible abus= e.
Respond to concerns expr= essed by a child or young person.
Work safely effectively = with children.

Kings Norton Rugby Football Club requires= :

Coaching staff to attend= a recognised 3-hour good practice and child protection awareness training workshop,= to ensure their practice is exemplary and to facilitate the development o= f a positive culture towards good practice and child protection.
Non-coaching staff and volunteers to complete recognised awareness training on child protecti= on.
Relevant personnel to receive advisory information outlining good practice and informing them about what to do if they have concerns about the behav= iour of an adult towards a young person.
Relevant personnel to ga= in a national first aid training (where necessary).

Attend update = training when necessary. Information about meeting training needs can be obtained fr= om Sports Coach UK, the NSPCC, and the Sport Council.

7. Responding to allegations or suspicions=

It is not the responsibility of anyone wor= king in KNRFC, in a paid or unpaid capacity to decide whether or not child abuse has taken place. However there is a responsibility to act on any concerns through con= tact with the appropriate authorities.

KNRFC will assure all staff/volunteers that it will fully support and protect any= one, who in good faith reports his or her concern that a colleague is, or may be, abusing a child.

Where there is= a complaint against a member of staff there may be three types of investigati= on:

A criminal investigation= ,
A child protection investigation,
A disciplinary or miscon= duct investigation.

The results of the police and child protection investigation may well influence= the disciplinary investigation, but not necessarily.

Action if there are concerns

1. Concerns about poor practice:

If, following considerat= ion, the allegation is clearly about poor practice; the Club Child Protecti= on Officer will deal with it as a misconduct issue.
If the allegation is abo= ut poor practice by the Club Child Protection Officer, or if the matter h= as been handled inadequately and concerns remain, it should be reported to the relevant North Midlands Ru= gby football Union Child Protection officer who will decide ho= w to deal with the allegation and whether or not to initiate disciplinary proceedings.

2. Concerns about suspected abuse

Any suspicion that a chi= ld has been abused by either a member of staff or a volunteer should be repor= ted to the Club Child Protection Officer, who will take such steps as considered necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and= any other child who may be at risk.
The Club Child Protection Officer will refer the allegation to the social services department who may involve the police, or go directly to the police if out-of-hours. =
The parents or carers of= the child will be contacted as soon as possible following advice from the social services department.
The Club Child Protection Officer should also notify the relevant North Midlands Rugby Football Union officer who in turn will in= form the Rugby Fo= otball Union Child Protection Officer who will deal with any media enquiries.
If the Club Child Protec= tion Officer is the subject of the suspicion/allegation, the report must be made to the appropriate Manager or in his/her absence the Rugby Football Union Child Protection Officer who will refer the allegation to Social Servi= ces.

Confidentiality

Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information should be hand= led and disseminated on a need to know basis only. This includes the following people:

The Club Child Protection Officer.
The parents of the perso= n who is alleged to have been abused
The person making the allegation.
Social services/police. =
The Kings Norton Rugby Foo= tball Club Regional Development Manager and Rugby Football Union Child Protection Officer.
The alleged abuser (and parents if the alleged abuser is a child).

Seek social services advice on who should approach the alleged abuser.

Information should be stored in a secure place with limited access to designated people= , in line with data protection laws (e.g. that information is accurate, regularly updated, relevant and secure).

Internal Enquiries and Suspension<= /o:p>

The Kings Norton Rugby Foo= tball Club Child Protection Officer will make an immediate decis= ion about whether any individual accused of abuse should be temporarily suspended pending further police and social services inquiries. <= /o:p>
Irrespective of the find= ings of the social services or police inquiries the Kings Norton Rugby Football Club Disciplinary Committee will assess all individual cases to decide whether a member = of staff or volunteer can be reinstated and how this can be sensitively handled. This may be a difficult decision; particularly where there is insufficient evidence to uphold any action by the police. In such case= s, the Kings No= rton Rugby Football Club Disciplinary Committee must reach a decision based upon the available information which could suggest that= on a balance of probability, it is more likely than not that the allegati= on is true. The welfare of the child should remain of paramount importance throughout.

Support to deal with the aftermath of abuse:

Consideration should be = given to the kind of support that children, parents and members of staff may need. Use of help lines, support groups and open meetings will maintai= n an open culture and help the healing process. The British Association for Counselling Directory is available from The British Association for Co= unselling, 1 Regent Place, Rugby CV21 2PJ, Tel: 01788 550899, Fax: 01788 562189, E-mail: bac@bacp.co.uk, Internet: http://www.bacp.co.uk.

Consideration should be = given to what kind of support may be appropriate for the alleged perpetrator= .

Allegations of previous abuse

Allegations of abuse may be made some time= after the event (e.g. by an adult who was abused as a child or by a member of sta= ff who is still currently working with children).

Where such an allegation is made, the club should follow the procedures as detailed above= and report the matter to the social services or the police. This is because oth= er children, either within or outside sport, may be at risk from this person. Anyone who has a previous criminal conviction for offences related to abuse= is automatically excluded from working with children. This is reinforced by the details of the Protection of Children Act 1999.

Action if bullying is suspected

=

If bullying is suspected, the same procedu= re should be followed as set out in 'Responding to suspicions or allegations' above.

Action to help= the victim and prevent bullying in sport:

Take all signs of bullyi= ng very seriously.

Encourage all children to speak and share their concerns (It is believed that up= to 12 children per year commit suicide as a result of bullying, so if any= one talks about or threatens suicide, seek professional help immediately). Help the vic= tim to speak out and tell the person in charge or someone in authority. Cr= eate an open environment.

Investigate all allegati= ons and take action to ensure the victim is safe. Speak with the victim and the bully(ies) separately.

Reassure the victim that= you can be trusted and will help them, although you cannot promise to tell= no one else.

Keep records of what is = said (what happened, by whom, when).

Report any concerns to t= he Club Child Protection Officer or the school (wherever the bullying is occurring).

Action towards the bully(ies):

Talk with the bully(ies), explain the situation, and try to get the bully (ies) to understand the consequences of their behaviour. Seek an apology to the victim(s).

Inform the bully’s parents.

Insist on the return of 'borrowed' items and that the bully(ies) compensate the victim. <= /o:p>

Provide support for the victim's coach.

Impose sanctions as nece= ssary.

Encourage and support the bully(ies) to change behaviour.

Hold meetings with the families to report on progress.

Inform all organisation members of action taken.

Keep a written record of action taken.

3. Concerns outside the immediate sporting environment (e.g. a parent or carer= ):

Report your concerns to = the Club Child Protection Officer, who should contact social services or t= he police as soon as possible.

See 4. below for the information social services or the police will need.

If the Club Child Protec= tion Officer is not available, the person being told of or discovering the abuse should contact social services or the police immediately. <= /o:p>

Social Services and the = Club Child Protection Officer will decide how to involve the parents/carers= .

The Club Child Protection Officer should also report the incident to the Rugby Football Union Governing Body. The Governing Body should ascertain whether or not the person/s = involved in the incident play a role in Kings Norton Rugby Football Club and act accordingly.

Maintain confidentiality= on a need to know basis only.

See 4 below regarding information needed for social services.

4. Information for social services or the police about suspected abuse:

To ensure that this information is as helpful as possible, a detailed record should always be m= ade at the time of the disclosure/concern, which should include the following:<= /p>

The child's name, age an= d date of birth of the child.

The child's home address= and telephone number.

Whether or not the person making the report is expressing their own concerns or those of someone else.

The nature of the allega= tion. Include dates, times, any special factors and other relevant informati= on.

Make a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay.

A description of any vis= ible bruising or other injuries. Also any indirect signs, such as behaviour= al changes.

Details of witnesses to = the incidents.

The child’s accoun= t, if it can be given, of what has happened and how any bruising or other injuries occurred.

Have the parents been contacted?

If so what has been said= ?

Has anyone else been consulted? If so record details.

If the child was not the person who reported the incident, has the child been spoken to? If so = what was said?

Has anyone been alleged = to be the abuser? Record details.

Where possible referral = to the police or social services should be confirmed in writing within 24 hou= rs and the name of the contact who took the referral should be recorded. =

If you are worried about sharing concerns about abuse with a senior colleague,= you can contact social services or the police direct, or the NSPCC Child Protec= tion Helpline on 0808 800 5000, or Childline on 0800 1111.

8. KNRFC Junior club rules

<= /span>KNRFC Mini and Juniors is= fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well being of all its members. = The KNRFC believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators a= nd parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect encoura= ged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they m= ay have about any aspect of the club with the Club Committee.

As a member of KNRFC Mini and Juniors you are expected to abide by the following junior club rules:

1.       All members must play within the rules and resp= ect officials and their decisions.

2.       All members must respect opponents. =

3.       Members should keep to agreed timings for train= ing and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to= be late or not attending.

4.       Members must wear suitable kit for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager.
5.       Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly.

6.       Junior members are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions and are strongly encouraged not to smoke.

7.       Junior members are not allowed to consume alcoh= ol or drugs of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing the club. =

8.       We adopt a “zero tolerance” policy = with regards to drugs. Anyone found in contravention of this will be expelled. <= o:p>

9. Code of Conduct for parents/carers

1.       Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them.

2.       Discourage unfair play and arguing with officia= ls.

3.       Help your child to recognise good performance, = not just results.

4.       Never force your child to take part in sport.

5.       Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all.

6.       Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.

7.       Publicly accept officials’ judgements.

8.       Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.

9.      = Use correct and proper language at all times.

10. Code of conduct for club officials and volunteers

The essence of good ethical conduct and practice is summarised below. All volun= teers must:

1.       Consider the well-being and safety of participa= nts before the development of performance.

2.       Develop an appropriate working relationship with performers, based on mutual trust and respect.

3.       Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part

4.       Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play)

5.       Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance

6.       Follow all guidelines laid down by the national governing body and the club

7.       Hold the appropriate, valid qualifications and insurance cover

8.       Never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward &nb= sp;

9.      = Nev= er condone rule violations of the laws, rough play or the use of prohibited substances

=