NEWTONMORE CAMANACHD CLUB

 

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

 

May 22nd,  2007

 

 

 

 

We recognize that child protection should not be treated in isolation – we will take on board guidance given by Highland Child Protection Committee and will address recruitment and selection of volunteers by doing the following:

 

1)  We accept that it is our responsibility as a club to check that all adults in positions requiring disclosure checks have been appropriately vetted.

 

2) Prior to any person commencing paid or voluntary work that

requires regular contact with children and young people, a

Disclosure Scotland check will be completed. This will require the

prospective position holder to complete a Disclosure Scotland Form,

with the results returning to the Camanachd Association.

 

Enhanced disclosures will be requested for positions that involve a

greater degree of contact with children and young people. For

example, positions that require regular contact with, training,

supervising or being in sole charge of children and young people.

 

3) We will notify the appropriate authorities if anyone on the

Disqualified from Working with Children List applies to volunteer

with the club.

 

4) We will interview prospective volunteers.

 

5) We will note at interview all previous experience of volunteers in

working with children.

 

6) Once a decision has been made to appoint an individual, that

person will be presented with a letter setting out their roles and

responsibilities and special obligations and requirements; e.g.

agreement to the child protection policies and procedures of the

the club. The individual will sign a copy of the letter, confirming that

they accept the position and the roles responsibilities and

obligations that go with it. The Club Secretary will retain this signed

copy.

 

7) If stated as part of the offer of voluntary work, newly appointed

members will complete an agreed period of probation on

commencement of their role.

 

8) We will ensure that all staff are given Codes of Practice to adhere

to.

 

9) We will remove from unsupervised contact with children any

volunteer whom we know or suspect to have caused harm to a child

or to have placed a child at risk of harm and we will notify the

appropriate authorities of our actions and the reasons for them,

even if that person has left the group.

 

 

                                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

We believe that every child regardless of age has at all times and in all situations a right to feel safe and protected from any situation or practice that results in a child being physically or psychologically damaged. In our club, if we have suspicions about a child’s physical, sexual or emotional well being, we will take action.

 

All volunteers are encouraged to share concerns with the clubs Child Protection Officer. If the situation is clearly an urgent case, the child is too frightened to go home or we have very serious doubts about the child’s safety, we will contact Social Work Services or the Police immediately.

 

If our concerns are more general about a child’s welfare, then we will discuss these with the clubs Child Protection Officer, who will then make a referral to an appropriate professional for assessment of the child’s needs. It is important that all volunteers communicate concerns accurately. To this end, volunteers will follow the procedures below:

 

1) Upon the receipt of any information from a child or suspicions, it is

necessary to make an accurate and detailed written record of what

they have seen, heard or know, at the time the event occurs.

 

2) Share their concerns with the clubs Child Protection Officer and

agree what action to take.

 

3) Avoid asking any more questions than are necessary to clarify

whether there is a concern. Always REFER to statutory services to

undertake an in depth INVESTIGATION of any suspicions or

allegations about abuse.

 

 

 

If we have concerns we must act – it may be the final piece of the jigsaw that is needed to protect a child – or we may prevent further children from being hurt.

 

 

 

 

 

Area Social Work Office                                       01463 703455

 

Local Police Station                                              01540 661222

 

Out of hours Social Work Emergency Service     08457 697284

 

General Child Protection Enquiries                      01463 703488

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

POLICY STATEMENT

 

We will:

 

  • Treat everyone with respect.

 

  • Remember that some issues are confidential.

 

  • Provide an example we would wish others to follow.

 

  • Where possible consider activities which involve more than one adult being present or at least within sight and hearing of others.

 

  • Be aware that someone else might misinterpret our actions even if they are well intentioned.

 

  • Respect a child’s right to personal privacy.

 

  • Provide time for children to talk to us.

 

  • Encourage children to respect and care for others.

 

  • Take action to stop any inappropriate verbal or physical behaviour.

 

  • Have a club policy for the collection of children after club events have finished.

 

  • Remember to REFER not INVESTIGATE any suspicions or allegations about abuse.

 

  • Only share concerns and seek support from those identified in the clubs child protection policy.