Child Protection Policy

RUISLIP CRICKET CLUB (RCC)

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

1.    Introduction

This policy document is based on the guidelines set down in the ECB Document “SAFE HANDS” Welfare of Young People Cricket Policy (OCT 2003). 

All Young People at RCC regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability have the right;

 1. To be protected

 2. Enjoy their cricket in a safe environment 

Adults working with RCC with Young People will; 

  1. Adhere to the standards set out in this document
  2. Provide a safe and positive and fun cricketing experience for Young People
  3. Will be educated in the best practice when working with young people
  4. Will be familiar with this document and have access to the ECB Welfare of Young People Cricket Policy via RCC Youth Development officer. 

The Management Committee for RCC; 

  1. Fully endorse the contents of this document.
  2. Ensure any allegations or suspicions relating to Young People will be dealt with swiftly and appropriately.

 

2.    Good Practice

  • Ensure that cricket is fun, enjoyable and fair play is promoted
  • Treat all young people equally with respect and dignity
  • The welfare of the Young Person comes before winning
  • Do not use bad language, smoke or drink while in charge of young people
  • Work in an open environment both physically and emotionally eg encourage participation
  • Give enthusiastic and constructive feedback
  • Ensure proper records are kept and are at hand if required (including accident and injury)
  • Ensure physical contact should be appropriate and with the Young Persons permission
  • Always follow-up allegations made by a young person in accordance with the guidelines in the ECB Welfare of Young People Cricket Policy
  • Keep your technical skills, qualifications and insurances up to date.
  • Always inform a parent if
    • You accidentally hurt a young person
    • A young person seems distressed in some manner
    • A young person becomes sexually  aroused by your actions
    • A young person misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done

 

3.    Poor Practice

Never spend time alone with young people way from others

Take Young People to your home where they will be alone with you

Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games

Never share a room with a young person (tours etc)

Never make sexually suggestive remarks to a young person.

Never allow inappropriate language to be used unchallenged

Never do things of a personal nature for a young person that they should do themselves

Transport Young People in your car alone

Transport Young People if you are not ensured, your car has not a valid MOT or you are disqualified from driving ( See Exclusion section)

 

4.    ECB Welfare Incident form 

This is part of the Welfare of Young People Cricket Policy document and therefore can be obtained via the Youth Development Officer and must be completed if any of the best practice guidelines above are breeched.

 

5.    Photography or use of video 

Parents permission should be sought before young peoples pictures are put on the web-site. Video analysis plays a  big part in the coaching of a young cricketer however parents permission should be sought before doing taking Video footage of their children and the footage should be  stored. Full guidelines on the use of photography are included in the ECB guidelines

 

6.    Changing facilities

Children changing rooms under the age of 10 should be supervised at all times by staff of the same gender of the players. 

Adults should not shower with children under 16 (see exclusions)

If young people do not wish to shower in public they should be put under no pressure to do so. Encourage them to do so at home

 

7.    Guidance for parents 

Parents should be made aware that;

RCC encourage coaching staff to be appropriately qualified and aware of all child protection issues

RCC encourage parents to get involved with the club.

If a parent/carer is late the club will

·       Attempt to make contact with the parent/carer

·       Wait with the young person (preferably accompanied by other adults)

·       Not send a child home with another person without prior permission

·       Remind parents/carers re late collection

·       At a last resort inform  social services or the police

 

8.    Use of alcohol or illegal substances 

Young people will not be allowed to drink alcohol, smoke or take illegal substances while at RCC. 

Adults should not drink alcohol, smoke or take illegal substances while in charge of young persons.

 

9.    Indicators of abuse 

Through training RCC coaches will be able to recognise situations where children may have been abused,  and guidelines exist to help them assist the young person in a appropriate manner and are set out in full in the ECB policy document. 

 

10.   Bullying and harassment 

Similarly to the case with abuse RCC staff will be able to recognise situations were this is occurring and is obviously at odds with our policy of providing an environment where young people can enjoy their cricket.

 

11.  Recruitment 

RCC ask all staff to declare their suitability for working via an internal form as attached in Appendix 1.

 

12.   Visibility 

RCC will ensure that all members and parents within the club are aware of this document and the obligations that go with it.

 

13.  Exclusions 

The following section details areas within the ECB guidelines that RCC do not have the administrative resource to support.  

  1. Registering drivers: ECB Recommends that all drivers who give transport young children on behalf of the club complete a form proving details pertaining to the vehicle or the driver. EG MOT and Insurance etc. While we support this in principal RCC cannot take on this role.

  2. Umpires and Scorers: ECB recommends that as these have access to young people that RCC should check their credentials. While RCC appreciate the principals behind this stance it would be difficult to enforce but would ask our coaches to be vigilant that these people adhere to our guildelines e.g. being left alone with children

  3. There is a form as part of the ECB guidelines that parents should fill out consenting to their childrens images being on the web-site and or video. RCC may fufil this obligation through a blanket communiction as opposed to individual forms.

  4. RCC changing facilities sometimes require that under 16s have to shower with adults. RCC as a blanket communication will ensure that parents are aware of this and the fact that adults are aware of appropriate behaviour in such circumstances.
  5. The ECB has a recruitment policy and “Self Declaration” form that has an administrative overhead that RCC simply cannot meet. RCC are grateful for any volunteers who come forward and will take measures and allocate funds to ensure that these volunteers are well trained matters relating to the welfare of young persons