Rothwell Athletic Juniors AFC

Child Protection Policy

The introduction of this Child Protection Policy should be seen as a clear signal by Rothwell Athletic Juniors AFC that it is determined to ensure all necessary steps are taken to protect from harm, those children and young people who participate in football at our club. The policy establishes the club’s position, role and responsibilities and clarifies what is expected of other individuals involved in football. It very clearly highlights the importance placed by Rothwell Athletic Juniors AFC on the protection of children and young people.

Every child and young person who plays football should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in football. We recognise, however, that child abuse is also a very emotive and difficult subject. It is important to understand the feelings involved but not to allow them to interfere with our judgment about any action to be taken. The club recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. It is determined to meet its obligation to ensure that those clubs and organizations providing football opportunities for children and young people do so, to the highest possible standard of care.

The aims of Rothwell Athletic Juniors AFC’s Child Protection Policy are:

• To develop a positive and pro-active position in order to best protect all children and young people who play football, enabling them to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment.
• To demonstrate best practice in the area of child protection.
• To promote ethics and high standards throughout our football club.

The key principles underpinning this Policy are that:

• The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration.
• All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual identity.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

Management Responsibilities

·         All Managers, coaches and nominated volunteers who have access to or responsibility for the children must have a valid CRB check completed prior to their responsibilities being commenced

·         All CRB checks must be renewed/repeated every 3 years

·         The nominated Child Protection Officer must have attended an FA or Schools Child Protection Course

·         The Child Protection Officer must provide adequate training to all Managers, Coaches and volunteers prior to their responsibilities being commenced and this training should be reviewed every 3 years.  A record of training must be kept be the Child Protection Officer

·         The Child Protection Officer must make Managers, Coaches and volunteers aware of any issues and updates as necessary.

·         The Child Protection Officer and Club Secretary must ensure this Policy is reviewed every 3 years  

Conclusion

Rothwell Athletic Juniors AFC, through confirming this Policy Document, has indicated its determination to ensure that children and young people can participate in all forms of football activity and do so with their safety being of paramount importance. It is essential that this document is representative of a process of continual improvement in the area of child protection within football. It is for all adults engaged in football activities to promote good practice and procedures, whilst being ever vigilant and aware of their responsibilities towards the children and young people in their care.

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS:

·         Treat all players and children with respect and dignity befitting of their age, watch your language, tone of voice and where you put your body.

YOU SHOULD NEVER:

·         Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games including horseplay

·         Allow or engage in inappropriate or intrusive touching of any kind

·         Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged

·         Make sexually suggestive comments to a child even in fun

·         Let allegations a child make go unchallenged or unrecorded, always act

·         Invade the privacy of children when they are changing, showering or going to the toilet

                                        YOU SHOULD AVOID:

• Doing things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves. E.g. help with changing
• Spending excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others
• Taking children alone on car journeys, however short
• Taking children to your home

Where these situations are unavoidable, first seek parental consent where possible. If unable to speak to the parents, always inform them of the circumstances as soon as practicable.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

• Pain, itching, bruising or bleeding to genital area
• Stomach pains
• Discomfort when walking
• Unexplained sources of money
• Inappropriate sexual drawings / language / behaviour
• Aggressive, withdrawn or fear of one person
• Unexplained or untreated injuries
• Injuries on unlikely or unusual parts of the body
• Cigarette burns, bites or belt marks, scalds
• Fear of parents being contacted, going home or receiving medical advice
• Flinching when touched
• Refusal to discuss injury
• Covering arms or legs
• Poor personal hygiene
• Constantly hungry
• Inappropriate clothing or dress
• Constantly tired
• Lonely, no friends
• Under weight
• No parental support or interest
• Dishevelled appearance
• Over Reaction to mistakes
• Sudden speech disorders
• Extremes of emotions

There may not be any signs you may just feel that something is wrong. If you are worried, it is not your responsibility to decide if it is abuse, but IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT ON YOUR CONCERNS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

                 WHAT TO DO IF A CHILD DISCLOSES ABUSE

• Understand that this may be the only time the child has built up courage to tell someone what has happened
• Stop what you are doing and respect the child’s privacy
• Stay calm and re-assuring
• Listen to what they tell you, tell them that whatever the circumstances they are not to blame
• Do not react in a way that may add to the child’s distress e.g. anger or shock
• Explain that you cannot promise to keep what the child tells you a secret, you may have to tell someone else
• Do not question the child in depth, do not ask leading questions, i.e. questions that need a “yes” or “no” answer
• Only ask questions to establish exactly what was done and who did it
• Tell the child that you are pleased they decided to tell someone and that they are absolutely right to do so
• Let the child know that you understand how difficult it is to talk about such experiences
• Make an accurate record of the time and date and exactly what was said

Process for Reporting Suspicion

• All persons who have a suspicion have a duty to report it at the earliest opportunity
• In the first instance contact the Team Manager
• The Rothwell Athletic AFC Child Protection Officer must be made aware without delay (Andrew Barrick 01132 523121) who will act on the suspicion in line with the current FA policy and guidelines
• Alternatively contact the Child Protection Officer at West Riding County FA (Mrs. C Dent on 01274 685430 or alternatively the Headquarters on 0113 282 1222)   

Process for Reporting allegations made against a member of staff

• All persons who have a suspicion have a duty to report it at the earliest opportunity
• The Rothwell Athletic AFC Child Protection Officer must be made aware without delay (Andre Barrick 01132 523121) who will act on the suspicion in line with the current FA policy and guidelines
• In addition the suspicion must also be raised with the Child Protection Officer at West Riding County FA (Mrs. C Dent on 01274 685430 or alternatively the Headquarters on 0113 282 1222)  

Other Useful Contacts:

Childline: 0800 1111

Barnardos: 0181 550 8822

NSPCC: 0800 800 500