Policies

[ Child Protection | Risk Analysis ]

St Mary’s Loch Sailing Club
Child and Vulnerable Person’s Protection Policy

2005-2006

In accordance with RYA recommendations on the development of child protection policies, St Mary’s Loch Sailing Club has produced the following guidelines.

In accepting and promoting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a minimum standard in protecting children's rights, SMLSC recognises that everyone has a right to be protected from all forms of abuse and discrimination and to be treated equally regardless of gender, racial origin, culture, religious belief, language, disability or sexual identity.

In accordance with Scottish legislation, we define a child as being under 16 years of age. We recognize that in terms of good practice the spirit of our guidelines on child protection should also apply to other young people and any other vulnerable members, such as those with learning disabilities.

In relation to child protection, we accordingly place the welfare of the child as our paramount concern and take particularly seriously all efforts to;

1. ensure that children’s rights, wishes and feelings are respected,
2. safeguard and promote the interests and well being of children with whom we are concerned,
3. take all reasonable practical steps to protect children from harm, discrimination or degrading treatment,
4. deal appropriately with the actual or suspected violation of these rights

Our main means of achieving these aims are:

1. planning and organizing the tasks of the club so as to minimize the possibility of abuse occurring

• We promote an atmosphere characterized by mutual respect, fun, safety and support for all members. More specifically, we encourage:
  • Fair play
  • Realistic ambitions alongside skill development
  • Praising effort as well as achievement in other members and opponents
• We recognize that all adult members of the club share a role in the protection of children participating in club activities. In addition, we follow RYA guidance in relation to Criminal Records Disclosure and we take the recommended sensible precautions when recruiting staff or volunteers who will be working with children or vulnerable adults.
• We organize an annual training session in child protection for all members who take on specific duties of care towards children. This involves training in the nature of abuse (Appendix A); indicators of abuse, and guidance on how to respond to incidents of suspected or alleged abuse.
• We openly share our child protection policies and operate transparency in our implementation of the guidelines. A copy of the guidelines is posted on the notice-board at all times.
• We work in partnership with children, parents and guardians whenever possible.
• We empower children to have their views taken into account on all matters that affect them within the club by designating a Youth Liaison Officer with responsibility lines to the committee for this task.
• We identify two named non-committee members to act as child protection officers to provide children and any adults with extra opportunity to raise concerns and initiate action independent of the committee.
• We review child protection policies and officer roles on an annual basis.
• We provide guidance on appropriate adult behaviour towards children. Specifically, we advise adult members.
  • against spending excessive amounts of time alone with a child.
  • against taking a child alone on car journeys, however short
  • against taking a child to their home where they will be alone
  • to wherever possible plan and deliver activities with other people present or within vision or earshot of others
  • when any form of manual support is required that this should be provided openly. If contact is unavoidable (e.g. during rescues) to tell the child what they are about to do and, if appropriate, to give the child choice
  • if it is necessary for staff or volunteers to do things of a personal nature for children, for example assisting with dressing and undressing or toileting, particularly if they are young or have disabilities, these tasks should be carried out with the full understanding and consent of parents and the children involved. Whenever possible the child should be given choices and another adult should be present.
  • if a child is accidentally hurt or is distressed in any manner, appears to be sexually aroused by an adult’s actions, or misunderstands or misinterprets something done by an adult , to report the incident as soon as possible to a child protection officer or co-ordinator and to make a brief written note of it. Parents or carers should also be informed of the incident.
  • not to specifically photograph or video children without appropriate permission.
  • not to engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay.
  • not to allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching or sexually suggestive comments or relationships with a child.
  • not to participate in or encourage any initiation ceremonies which may embarrass or be taken in a negative manner.
  • whenever possible to obtain medical consent in the event where medication or treatment is required to be administered in the absence of the parent/guardian; this includes hospitalisation.

2. ensuring that all allegations and suspicions of inappropriate conduct involving children are taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately

We hold the view that all adult members of the club share the responsibility of protecting children. In addition to the preventive measures outlined above, we recognise the importance of their duty to respond appropriately should any allegations or suspicions of abuse arise.

It is acknowledged that this role is two-fold; firstly, to respond in a supportive manner to the individuals involved and secondly, to report suspected or alleged cases of abuse in as helpful a way as possible. It is emphasised that no club member has any role in investigating matters relating to possible or actual child protection.

In Scotland, the Social Work Department of each local authority has a statutory duty under The Childr(Scotland) Act 1995 to ensure the welfare of children. When a child protection referral is made, its staff has a legal responsibility to investigate. Enquiries may be carried out jointly with the Police.

Following all reports of alleged abuse by a child, it is recommended;

Always to

• stay calm - ensure the child is safe and feels safe
• show and tell the child that you are taking what s/he says seriously
• reassure the child and stress that s/he is not to blame
• be honest, explain you will have to tell someone else but that you will only speak to those people who are necessary to help remedy the situation.
• make a note of what the child has said as soon as possible after the event
• maintain maximum confidentiality

Never to

• rush into actions that may be inappropriate
• make promises that cannot be kept, for example offering individual protection or confidentiality to a child
• ask inappropriate questions, which may jeopardise any impending investigation

All allegations or suspicions of abuse should be reported on as soon as possible, ideally firstly to the club’s Child Protection Co-ordinator, or directly to the local Social Work Department or Police

These guidelines were prepared at the request of the committee by ordinary member, Brenda Renz, Consultant Clinical Child Psychologist. She welcomes comments, ideally before their annual committee review, in June each year.

Season 2005-2006: Child Protection Co-ordinator contact details:

• Ian Malcolm:

• Social Work Department:

• Police Telephone No:

Alternatively (or in addition) it may be helpful to speak to one of the designated non-committee child protection officers:

Season 2005-06: Child Protection Officers contact details:

• Maggie Ellis:

• Annie Mc Sevenney:

The coordinator or acting adult will:

• take any additional necessary steps to secure the child’s immediate safety
• without judgement, note details of the allegation/suspicion/concern.
• wherever possible and reasonable, inform the child’s parents/carers
• consult with an appropriate Child Protection professional (the local Social Work Department or Police)
• obtain the name of the individual consulted.
• follow the advice given by the appropriate agency.
• provide the child and any involved adults with whatever pastoral support is recommended
• take appropriate action to minimise any further risk in consultation with investigating Authorities.

In situations where there is uncertainty about whether an allegation constitutes abuse or not, those responsible should always consult and gain advice from Social Work or the Police if there is any doubt.

Appendix A

There are four main forms of abuse, although a child or young person may well be a victim of more than one. These are:

• Emotional
• Neglect
• Physical
• Sexual

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent ill-treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child's emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued insofar as they meet the needs of another person.

It may involve causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation of children.

Some level of emotional abuse is present in all types of ill-treatment although it may also exist alone.

Bullying may be seen as a form of emotional abuse where there is deliberately hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time, and where it is difficult for those bullied to defend themselves. The bully may often be another young person.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child's health or development. It may involve failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical treatment.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise harming a child.

Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy/ factitious illness whereby a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes, ill health in a child is a further category of physical abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

[ Child Protection | Risk Analysis ]

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