Child Protection Policy – Best Practice and Safeguarding Children
Copleston Sports College Girl’s Football Club
Child Protection Policy – Best Practice and Safeguarding Children
PURPOSE
The purpose of Copleston Sports College Girl’s Football Club (CSCGFC) Child Protection Policy is to ensure that every child who is a registered player for CSCGFC is safe and protected. This policy will give clear direction to coaches, parents, volunteers or visitors about the expected behavior and responsibility when managing Child Protection concerns.
INTRODUCTION
CSCGFC fully recognizes the contribution it can make to protect children from harm, whilst supporting and promoting the welfare of all children who are registered with CSCGFC. The elements of our policy are prevention, protection and support.
Our policy applies to all coaches, parents, volunteers, visitors and players.
PROCEDURES
When any player joins CSCGFC they and their parents/guardians will be informed of the Child Protection Policy arrangements in place. They will be notified of where this policy can be accessed and informed of whom our Child Welfare Officer (CWO) is – a hardcopy version will be made available on request.
Any coaches joining CSCGFC will be booked onto the FA Level 1 Coaching Course, within 1 year of joining - this includes attending a Child Protection Workshop which gains a certification. This certification will be refreshed every three years or whatever guidelines are set out by the FA.
The Child Protection Workshops outlines information relating to signs and symptoms of abuse, how to manage a disclosure from a child, how to record and who to pass the information to. It also promotes “Best Practice” guidelines.
All parents/guardians, volunteers or new members who have not had any child protection training or members whose Child Protection certification has lapsed will be encouraged to complete the online tutorials on Child Protection residing on the FA website –
Parents/Guardians will be informed of our legal duty to assist any governing body or agencies with child protection enquiries and what happens should we have cause to make a referral to Children's Services.
TRAINING
Every coach will be expected to undertake the FA Level One coaching course within one year of joining CSCGFC. This includes attending a Child Protection Workshop which results in a certification. To keep this up-to-date, re-certification is required every three years; this may be more frequent if there are any changes to requirements laid down by the FA, County FA or any other regulatory body.
BEST PRACTICE
As part of attending the Child Protection Workshop all coaches should be familiar of best practice guidelines.
There will be occasion when some form of physical contact is inevitable, for example if a child has an accident or is hurt or is in a situation of danger to themselves or others around them. However, at all times best practice guidelines must be adhered to.
Anybody who is with children alone they will, wherever possible, be visible to other members of CSCGFC. They will be expected to inform another member CSCGFC of their whereabouts, who they are with and for how long.
OUR ETHOS
CSCGFC will establish and maintain an ethos where our members feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to. Children at CSCGFC will be able to talk freely to any coach or volunteer if they are worried or concerned about something.
All coaches will, either through training or induction, know how to recognize a disclosure from a child and will know how to manage this. We will not make promises to any child and we will not keep secrets. Every child will know what their chosen adult will have to do with whatever they have been told.
CSCGFC will endeavor to provide in the activities and opportunities during training and matches that will equip the children with the skills they need to stay safe.
At all times we will work in partnership and endeavor to establish effective working relationships with parents/guardians, volunteers or any regulatory body as required.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
At CSCGFC a Child Welfare Officer (CWO) has been appointed and will be informed of any issues concerning child protection. They will then deal with this in line with the Best Practice guidelines in place.
All adults at CSCGFC have a responsibility toward the safety and wellbeing of children – it is their responsibility to ensure the CWO is made aware of any issues.
Child Protection - Code of Conduct and Procedures.
Any concern however small should be reported to immediately.
CHILD PROTECTION CODE OF CONDUCT
Ø It is key to our professionalism to do all that we can to protect children from harm
Ø Please ensure that you do not put yourself or a child at risk
Ø Ensure physical contact cannot be misconstrued
Ø Do not be over familiar with children, maintain a coach to player relationship at all times.
Ø Talk respectfully to children and expect them to talk respectfully to you
Ø Never bully
Ø Do not be on your own with a player especially behind closed doors
Ø Be professional in your touching of players. This can be difficult to judge - a hand on the shoulder can be a comfort, but for too long, to the wrong child or in a certain way it could be misinterpreted.
Ø Be mindful of where and how you touch.
Ø Take account of a child’s age.
Ø lf you are concerned that a player is over familiar discuss this with the Child Welfare Officer.
Ø If a child is hurt and needs to remove clothes always have another adult with you - a coach or parent/guardian.
USE OF RESTRAINT
Ø In any situation your responsibility is for your safety and that of the players
Ø Do not handle players forcefully - almost all situations can be resolved without force
Ø Often you can remove yourself or other children rather than using force
Ø Even if pupils are damaging properly do not use force.
Ø Any incident that results in a child having to be restrained should be reported to the CWO or parent
DISCLOSURES
Below are guidelines to take following a disclosure.
Ø Not all comments a child makes are innocent and not all comments are proof of an issue. If you are in any doubt report what you have heard or seen to the CWO immediately.
Ø Concerns may not always be about a child, if you have concerns about an adult's behavior towards children then this should also be reported to the CWO.
Ø When talking to a child please remember not to ask leading questions.
Ø Listen to the child.
Ø Do not promise to keep a secret.
Ø Make a written note, with your name and position within the club, signed, dated and timed of what was said or seen, including the name of child or children and inform the CWO.
Ø You should be aware of the possibility that the records might have to be used as evidence in court, and you must therefore be aware of the need to distinguish fact from opinion.
Ø The CWO will seek appropriate guidance and advise of what, if any, action should be taken with the information.
Ø Do not allow yourself to be in a compromising situation. If a child is distressed and needs comfort make sure you are not. Ensure any physical contact cannot be misconstrued..
AIl matters are strictly confidential and must remain so.