Child protection
Child Protection Policy Summary
“The Bedfordshire and Luton County Sports Partnership is committed to the principle that all children have the right to be protected from abuse. The Partnership acknowledges the need to provide and maintain a high degree of physical and mental well being for children in its care”.
- Aims
- To increase awareness of Child Protection issues;
- Promote good working practice throughout sport;
- Provide a safe and child friendly environment for the effective delivery of sporting activity.
- Objectives
- Implementation of good working practices to ensure a safe and healthy environment;
- Coach awareness of child protection issues (both in the context of organised activities and within the home and community) achieved through Induction and CPD;
- Establishment of standard procedures to protect the child first and foremost when suspected abuse or actual abuse is reported (both within and outside the sporting arena);
- Familiarity with standard procedures by all involved in the Bedfordshire County Sports Partnership;
- Recognition of potential risks and safety concerns to child when child abuse is reported.
Recruitment, Employment and Deployment of Staff and Volunteers
- All reasonable steps must be taken to ensure that people have the necessary qualifications and experience to work with young people. The procedures should be adopted whether staff are paid or volunteers, full or part time.
- Promoting Good Practice with Young People
Sport can play a positive part in identifying cases of child abuse occurring outside of its direct arena (e.g. at home/school). It is equally important to respond to cases that arise within sport, and make staff, coaches and volunteers aware of the procedures that must be followed. All personnel in sport will be encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behaviour in order to promote the welfare of young people and reduce the likelihood of allegations being made.
- Identifying Poor Practice, Abuse and Bullying
Even for those experienced in working with child abuse, it is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has already taken place. The staff and volunteers in sport, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity, are not experts at such recognition. However, they do have a responsibility to act if they have any concerns about the behaviour of someone (an adult or another child) towards a young person. In many cases it is difficult to differentiate between what could be deemed as poor practice and possible child abuse.
Responding to Disclosure, Suspicions and Allegations of Abuse
All staff, coaches and volunteers have the responsibility to respond immediately if a young person says or indicates that he/ she is being abused, or information is obtained which gives concern that a young person is being abused. Similarly if there are suspicions of poor practice these should also be reported.
Training
- All coaches and all volunteers that are formally involved in the programme will attend the sports coach UK Good Practice and Child Protection Courses and any other relevant training (this includes scUK Equity in your Coaching, How to Coach Disabled People in Sport & Emergency 1st Aid).
