DAWLISH UNITED,

YOUTH & MINI SOCCER CLUB

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY, PROCEDURES AND GUIDANCE

Introduction

1.                  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

2.                  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

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

4.                  Firstly, in line with F.A. guidelines the Club will carry out checks with the Criminal Records Bureau to ensure the coaches and  assistants  do not hold previous convictions which affect their suitability to work with Children.

Any existing or future coach/assistant must complete the F.A. Application form and the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure Application Form as administrated by the F.A. to ensure Enhanced Disclosure and three year repetition. Failure to cooperate with this process will prevent the individual form becoming a coach/assistant within the club.

5.                  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. ( Where ever possible this other adult will also be CRB checked.)

6.                  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

7.                  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 along with a child or children (see Appendix A)

Allegations of Abuse

8.                  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 and the time & date you wrote them.

Inform your F.A. designated Child Protection Officer, Nick Reed. Or assistant CPO Paul McAtee.

The Child Protection Officer will deal with the matter in accordance with club policy and Multi-agency Child Protection Procedures.

Reviewed 05.02.2005

Dawlish United,

Youth & Mini Soccer Club

 CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

ADVICE 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 F.A. designated Child Protection Officer, Nick Reed or Assistant Child Protection Officer Paul McAtee.

The Child Protection Officer will deal with the matter in accordance with Club Policy and Multi-agency Child Protection Procedures.

Revised 05.02.05