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Home / Club Documents / Child Protection Policy

Child Protection Policy

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
{This is an abridged version of the policy without the flow charts and certain RYA contact details and descriptions. The full version is available below. }

PART 1 POLICY

Policy Statements

MPSC Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy Statement

This policy refers to anyone under the age of 18, defined as a child by the Children Act 1989[1]. The policy applies to all MPSC employees, contractors and volunteers.

MPSC is committed to safeguarding children taking part in its activities from physical, sexual or emotional harm, neglect or bullying. We recognise that the safety, welfare and needs of the child are paramount and that any child, irrespective of age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual or gender identity or social status, has a right to protection from discrimination and abuse.

MPSC takes all reasonable steps to ensure that, through safe recruitment, appropriate operating procedures and training, it offers a safe and fun environment to children taking part in MPSC events and activities.

The child's experience of the sport is our priority. We will create a safe and welcoming environment, both on and off the water, where children can have fun and develop their skills and confidence. We will treat all children with respect, celebrate their achievements and listen to their views and experiences.

Relevant RYA recognised training centres are required and all affiliated clubs and class associations are encouraged to adopt and implement similar policies and procedures. The RYA will provide them with information and support.

The RYA:

Recognises that safeguarding children is the responsibility of everyone, not just those working directly with them.

Carefully recruits and selects all RYA employees, contractors and volunteers in roles involving close contact with children and provides them with appropriate information or training.

Responds swiftly and appropriately to all complaints and concerns about poor practice or suspected abuse, referring to external agencies as necessary.

Regularly reviews safeguarding procedures and practices in the light of experience or to take account of legislative, social or technological changes.

Communicates changes and shares good practice with training centres, clubs and class associations.

This policy will be reviewed by the RYA Safeguarding Steering Group annually and by the RYA Board at least every three years.

The RYA Safeguarding and Equality Manager should be notified of all relevant concerns, allegations or complaints.

Policy Statement

Manor Park Sailing Club is committed to safeguarding children taking part in its activities from physical, sexual or emotional harm, neglect or bullying. We recognise that the safety, welfare and needs of the child are paramount and that any child, irrespective of age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual or gender identity or social status, has a right to protection from discrimination and abuse.

Manor Park Sailing Club takes all reasonable steps to ensure that, through safe recruitment, appropriate operating procedures and training, it offers a safe and fun environment to children taking part in its events and activities.

For the purposes of this policy anyone under the age of 18 should be considered as a child. All members of the Club should be aware of the policy.

Club Welfare Officer

The Club Welfare Officer is Claire Wheat safeguarding@mpsc.co.uk

Staff and Volunteers

All Club staff and volunteers whose role brings them into regular contact with young people will be asked to provide references. The Club Welfare Officer and those regularly instructing, coaching or supervising young people will also be asked to apply for an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure, with Barred List check if appropriate.

Guideline

1) The RYA Training Model

a) MPSC training will be delivered by instructors working to RYA procedures and qualified to the correct level for the activity being undertaken.

b) A list of instructors and their qualifications is available in the Training Principals file in the club house it is part of the RYA inspection document.

2) Responsibilities of the Parent/Guardian

a) A Parent/Guardian is required to be present on site during training at a maximum ratio of 4 juniors to 1 parent/guardian - the parent/guardian must be over eighteen years of age.

b) The parent/guardian has responsibility for their child's behaviour during training

c) If parents/guardians should be unhappy with any aspect of training at MPSC, they are free to withdraw their child at any time. Likewise if an instructor has concerns about a child's behaviour or health then he/she reserves the right to return the child to the parent/guardian

3) Raising, responding to and communicating concerns

a) Any concerns a parent/guardian might have regarding their child's welfare must ideally be relayed to the senior instructor on the day.

b) Any serious concerns that an MPSC instructor might have with regard to a child's welfare must be reported to the appropriate statutory authorities.

c) MPSC instructors have been trained to recognise and report any concerns they might have with the way children are treated by adults and how they treat each other. We do not accept aggressive behaviour among children themselves or from parents/guardians who might become too partisan and/or competitive.

d) Committee members and Instructors are aware of the Child Protection Policy and are able to talk to parents/guardians and children on any safeguarding matter. Alternatively if a non-urgent issue should arise a feedback form can be filled in and left for the attention of the club secretary or sent by e-mail to secretary@mpsc.co.uk and the issue will be addressed and responded to by the club as a whole. Furthermore MPSC has an accident book and incident book (near miss book) which can also be filled in.
This is formally reviewed by the club at regular intervals.

4) Changing Facilities

As one might expect changing rooms are male and female but are not segregated by age and do not have individual changing cubicles. If parents are not happy with mixed age changing they are free to accompany their child (same sex) into the changing room to supervise them or make alternative arrangements for them to change.

5) Basic Guidelines on supervision and safety for instructors

a) Always design training programmes that are within the ability of the individual child.

b) When children are on the water it is essential to ensure that they do not become too cold.

c )Do not spend excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others.

d) Do not take children alone in a car on journeys however short

e) Do not take children to your home as part of a training programme or otherwise.

f) Always ensure that any one-to-one tuition or assistance is with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge or the child's parent/guardian.

g) Do not engage in or allow others to engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative touching in any form. However, instructors reserve the right to physically move or direct a child in the event of a training need or for safety reasons.

h) Do not allow children to use inappropriate language or to make sexually suggestive comments to other child even if this is perceived to be in fun.

i) Do not let allegations made by a child go unchallenged or un-recorded.

j) Do not do things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves.

6) Photography, Video and use of Social Media

a) Instructors and club members may photograph and / or video training activities for publicity or training demonstrations. Express permission is included in the consent from which must be completed by all participants and if applicable their parent/guardian before training takes place

b) Instructors and club members may use photographs and names of trainees on the club website, in the press or social media.

c) Parents have the right to photograph and video their own children on club property as a personal and family memoire. However, MPSC will not be held responsible for any instance of parents/guardians posting photographs/videos/comments of any children, under training, in any form of social media.

7) Medical Information

In the first instance Parents/Guardians must inform MPSC of any medical condition that may impact upon their ability or behaviour so that they are not at risk to themselves or pose a risk to others. Details to be included in consent form

8) Emergency Procedures

In the event of an emergency there is a standard Emergency Action Plan to follow. In addition, rapid steps will be taken to bring parent/guardian and child together as quickly as possible. The EAP is posted on the training notice board and is in the training manual.

9) On the water equipment

a )Buoyancy aids must be worn at all times: at the water's edge, on the pontoons and on the water.

b) We do not provide wetsuits but would advise that they should be worn at the start and end of the training season.

c) We do not provide crash helmets but if parents/guardians wish to purchase them we are happy for them to be worn if properly sized and fitted.

Concerns

Anyone who is concerned about a young member's or participant's welfare, either outside the sport or within the Club, should inform the Club Welfare Officer immediately, in strict confidence. The Club Welfare Officer will follow the attached procedures

Reporting Procedure

If you are uncertain what to do at any stage, contact the RYA's Safeguarding and Equality Manager on 023 8060 4104 or the NSPCC free 24-hour helpline 0808 800 5000.

Details of Children's Social Care departments and emergency duty teams are listed on local authority websites and in local phone books. If you are unable to find the appropriate contact number, call the RYA's Safeguarding and Equality Manager or, if a child is at immediate risk, the Police.


[1] Applies in England and Wales. The relevant legislation in Scotland is the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, and in Northern Ireland the Children (Northern Ireland) order 1995

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