Vulnerable Adults: within this policy where the words “child” or “young athlete” it referred to, these may also be applied to vulnerable adults for the appropriate purpose of the protection and welfare of any vulnerable adults within the club. Vulnerable adult is defined here at the CRB website: http://www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk/faqs/definitions.aspx#definition
Aim
of the Policy
Our aim is to create an
environment in which the young athlete (child) and their parent(s),
guardian, responsible adult, carer, closest relative; can feel
confident that our club is providing a safe and wholesome setting for
all participants in the sport of athletics.
As a club, we will
support and offer advice to every athlete, coach, helper, official
and officer of the club in order to protect them from neglect,
exploitation and abuse.
All suspicions and allegations of
abuse against young athletes will be responded to, and followed up
appropriately in accordance with this policy and local Area Child
Protection Policy guidelines and procedures.
Key Principles
All people under the age of 18 years are defined as children for the purpose of this policy.
All children regardless of their gender, racial origin, culture, ability, religious belief and sexual orientation have the right to protection from abuse.
All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and will be responded to by any officer or committee member of the club, who through the Club's child welfare officers will refer the matter to the Social Services Department in whose area the incident or suspicion occurred.
All coaches and helpers who come into active contact with children will be subject to a CRB Check under the UK coach licensing procedures.
Code of Practice for Club Adults
Avoid when possible, situations when you and an individual child are alone.
Avoid physical contact wherever possible. Teach techniques by demonstration.
Coaches are expected to hold appropriate qualifications recognised by UK Athletics. Otherwise they must work under the direct supervision of a qualified coach.
Adults should never over-criticise young athletes, or use language or actions which may cause children to lose self-esteem or confidence.
Coaches and adults should not take unrelated children to their (i.e. the coach or adults) home. Permission must be obtained from the child's parent or guardian for car journeys. The presence of a further person should be sought. It is sensible to seat any child in the rear of the car.
Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in all conversations; so coaches and adults must not give children a promise or expectation of confidentiality.
Ensure that training is appropriate to a child’s age and level of experience.
Ensure that same sex adults (preferably in pairs) should undertake any supervision of changing rooms.
Actions to be taken by Club Adults in the event of an allegation being made
Advise the child that you will not be able to maintain confidentiality.
Listen to the child rather than question him/her.
Never stop a child who is freely recalling significant events.
Make a note of what is said, taking care to record the time, date, setting and people present.
Any person with a suspicion or allegation of child abuse shall report to the Child Welfare Officers or any club committee member who should without delay, refer the matter to the Social Services Department/ police and the Athletics regional governing body.
No Club Adult should carry out their own investigations.
The person reporting the suspicions or making the allegations must be prepared to speak to the Social Services to clarify their concerns.
Any person suspected of abusing a child should not be approached by another member of the Club concerning the abuse issue.
Other Club officials should deal with matters if the person who would otherwise deal with the matter is compromised by a relationship or friendship with the person against whom the suspicion has emerged.
Any coach or member of the club who has been accused of abusing a child will be suspended by the Club "without prejudice" pending the investigation.
The coach, volunteer, official or Officer of the Club may be placed in a position of trust by the child who may feel able to disclose incidents which have occurred within Athletics or life outside the Club. No guarantee of confidentiality can be given to the child but any such disclosures must be taken seriously and referred immediately to the Social Services Department/ Police.
Definitions
Club Adults Club officials, coaches and helpers.
Physical Abuse. Occasions when adults or other children deliberately inflict injuries upon a child, or knowingly do not prevent such injuries. This could include the nature of the intensity of training or competition. Offering alcohol or drugs
Emotional Abuse. Where adults or other children fail to show due care or attention or threaten, use sarcasm, taunt or shout at a child causing them to lose confidence, self-esteem and become nervous or withdrawn.
Neglect. Where adults fail to provide help and care to the child. This also includes leaving a child without proper supervision or placing the child at risk of injury.
Sexual Abuse. Where adults or children use children to fulfil their sexual needs.
Contact numbers and useful websites
Social Services
Kirkham Social Services Office,
Children's Services
only
Lancashire County Council, 29, Station Road
Kirkham,
Preston, Lancashire, PR4 2HB
Tel: 01772 685318 (Emergency out of hours duty team – Tel. (0845)602 1043)
Local Police Station
St Anne’s Police Station, St
Andrews Rd North, St Annes on Sea, FY8 2JF
Telephone: 01253
604697 (9am – 7pm)
0845 1253545 (after 7pm)
UK Athletics
UK
Athletics
Athletics
House
Central
Boulevard
Blythe
Valley Park
Solihull
West
Midlands
B90
8AJ
Tel:
0121 713 8400
Fax:
0121 713 8452
At national level the designated UK Athletics person/lead child protection officer is David Brown CBE who can be contacted via e-mail on childprotection@ukathletics.org.uk , post at Athletics Welfare PO Box 332, Sale, Manchester M33 6XL or telephone on 0161 223 4246 and 0870 998 6777.
Useful Websites
http://www.ukathletics.net/welfare/
http://www.thecpsu.org.uk/Scripts/content/Default.asp
Club Contact Details
Officers:
Tony Croft (Chairman) 01253 735644 tonycroft@talktalkbusiness.net
Nigel Simpkin (Secretary) 01253 nige.simpkin@tiscali.co.uk
Nigel Thompson (Treasurer) 01253 732973 thompsonsacountants@tiscali.co.uk
Committee Members:
Melanie Köth (Membership Secretary) 07738 484471 melaniekoth@hotmail.com
Dave Dunn (Men’s Captain Road) 07854602129 dave.r.dunn@baesystems.com
Laura Ashworth (Lady’s Captain Road) 01772 687784 tangerinewizard@tiscali.co.uk
Julia Rolfe (Lady’s XC Captain) 01772 683011 johnjulia@kirkham.freeserve.co.uk
Colin Nelson (Men’s XC Captain) 01253 731896 hnnelson@gotadsl.co.uk
Dawn Lock (Vice Chairman & Relay Captain) 01253 7215 billdawnlock@hotmail.com
Sarah Tatton (Club Kit) 07766 111410 sarahtatton@btinternet.com
Coaches:
Terry Hellings 01253 720620 terryhellings@sky.com
Dave Rigby 01253 722187 dnrigby@virginmedia.com
Adult Welfare Officers:
Rebecca Willetts 07967 601449 bec.willetts@hotmail.co.uk
Laura Ashworth 01772 687784 tangerinewizard@tiscali.co.uk
Race Organizer & Newsletter Editor:
Bill Lock 01253 721514 billdawnlock@hotmail.com
Press:
Colin Laidlaw 07754 129536 lsarrc-press@hotmail.co.uk
Welfare Officers
In line with the policies of UK
Athletics, the club has appointed two Welfare Officers to be
responsible for the welfare af children who compete and train at the
club. The Welfare Officers are responsible for the implementation of
the club’s Welfare Policy which is available for any parent/
guardian on request.
The club will use the Welfare Officers as a point of contact between parents/ guardians and deal with any enquiries or concerns about the procedures of the club and the nature of the activities the children will be involved in.
These enquiries or concerns may relate to the nature of the coaching, travel arrangements, children’s behaviour or more serious child protection issues. The club has selected the Welfare Officers carefully so that they can deal with most enquiries or problems, but should parents/ guardians not be happy with their response, parents/ guardians may contact any committee member.
The club’s Welfare Officers are:
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Ian Squire |
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Ian works as a teacher at Red Marsh School, Thornton, school for children and young people with learning difficulties and he has taught since 1991 in primary and special schools, teaching PE amongst other subjects. He also works as the Inclusion School Sport Coordinator for the Wyre and Fylde School Sport Partnership where his role involves promoting and helping increase participation in sport and physical activity for all children. Ian has been involved in local running clubs since 1993 as member of Wesham Road Runners and since 2005 as a member of Lytham St Annes Road Runners Club. Tel No: 01253 713769 Mobile: 07817 111259 email: ianfy8@btinternet.com |
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Debbie Cooper |
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Debbie has worked as a teacher at Kirkham Grammar Junior School since 1998 teaching PE amongst other subjects to children aged between 5 and 11. Debbie has been a member of Lytham St Anne’s Road Runners Club 2005. Tel No: 01772 633986 Mobile: 07939 212451 Email: da.cooper01@gmail.com |
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