NEWHAM SWIMMING CLUB

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

November 2010

MISSION STATEMENT

The committee of Newham Swimming Club, as managing trustees, recognise the importance of the Clubs protection to children and young people and its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people entrusted to the Club’s care. As part of its mission, the Club is committed to:

1. valuing, listening to and respecting children and young people as well as promoting their welfare and protection.
2. safe recruitment, supervision and training for all the coaches and volunteers within the club.
3. adopting a procedure for dealing with concerns about possible abuse.
4. encouraging and supporting parents/carers.
5. supporting those affected by abuse.
6. maintaining good links with the statutory childcare authorities and other organisations.

CLUB POLICY

The committee recognise the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children and young people. They also acknowledge that children and young people can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect. The Newham Swimming Club Committee has therefore adopted the procedures set out in this document. The policy also recognises the need to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary child protection agencies. The policy and attached practice guidelines are based on a model published by the ASA's Child Protection WAVEPOWER. The committee undertake to file a copy of the policy and practice guidelines with ASA and social services, and any amendments subsequently published. The committee agree not to allow the document to be copied by other organisations.

The committee are committed to on-going child protection training for all all coaches and volunteers and will regularly review the operational guidelines attached.

The committee also undertake to follow the principles found within the Abuse of Trust guidance issued by the Home Office and it is therefore unacceptable for those in a position of trust to engage in any behaviour which might allow a sexual relationship to develop for as long as the relationship of trust continues.

RESPONDING TO ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE

Under no circumstances should a member of the committee carry out his or her own investigation into the allegation or suspicion of abuse. The person in receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse will do the following:

1. Concerns must be reported as soon as possible to the Welfare Officer

who is nominated by the committee to act on their behalf in dealing with the allegation or suspicion of neglect or abuse, including referring the matter on to the statutory authorities.

2. As a matter of good practice, the Welfare Officer may also be required by conditions of the Committee Insurance Policy to immediately inform the Insurance Company. They may also be required as part of their denominational policy to inform strategic personnel within the Committee.

3. In the absence of the Welfare Officer , or if the suspicions in any way involve the Welfare Officer then the report should be made to

If the suspicions implicate both the Welfare Officer and the Club Secretary, then the report should be made in the first instance to one of the following:

4. Suspicions must not be discussed with anyone other than those nominated above. A written record of the concerns should be made and kept in a secure place.

5. Whilst allegations or suspicions of abuse will normally be reported to the Welfare Officer, the absence of the Welfare Officer

6. or Secretary should not delay referral to the Social Services Department.

7. The Committee will support the Welfare officer /Secretary in their role, and accept that any information they may have in their possession will be shared in a strictly limited way on a need to know basis.

It is, of course, the right of any individual as a citizen to make a direct referral to the child protection agencies or seek advice from ASA, although the committee hope that members of the club will use the procedures outlined in this policy. If, however, the individual with the concern feels that the Welfare Officer/Secretary has not responded appropriately, or where they have a disagreement with the Welfare Officer as to the appropriateness of a referral, they are free to contact an outside agency direct. We hope by making this statement that the committee demonstrate the commitment of the club to effective child protection.

The role of the Welfare Officer / Secretary is to collate and clarify the precise details of the allegation or suspicion and pass this information on to the Social Services Department. It is Social Services’ task to investigate the matter under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989.

ALLEGATIONS OF PHYSICAL INJURY OR NEGLECT

If a child has a physical injury or symptom of neglect, the Welfare Officer / Secretary will:

1. contact Social Services (or CCPAS) for advice in cases of deliberate injury, if concerned about a child's safety or if a child is afraid to return home.
2. will not tell the parents or carers unless advised to do so having contacted Social Services.
3. seek medical help if needed urgently, informing the doctor of any suspicions.
4. for lesser concerns, (e.g. poor parenting), encourage parent/carer to seek help, but not if this places the child at risk of injury.
5. where the parent/carer is unwilling to seek help, offer to accompany them. In cases of real concern, if they still fail to act, contact Social Services direct for advice.
6. seek and follow advice given by ASA (who will confirm their advice in writing) if unsure whether or not to refer a case to Social Services.

ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse, the Welfare Officer /Secretary will:

1. contact the Social Services Department Duty Social Worker for children and families or Police Child Protection Team direct. They will NOT speak to the parent/carer or anyone else.
2. seek and follow the advice given by ASA r if, for any reason they are unsure whether or not to contact Social Services/Police. ASA will confirm its advice in writing for future reference.

ASA SwimLine	0808 100 4001
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline direct	0808 800 5000 (open 24 hours, calls free)
NSPCC Textphone	0800 056 0566 (9am to 5pm) 020 8430 6617
Newham Social Services	020 8430 6617 (9am to 5pm)
Newham Social Services out of hours emergency number	020 8552 9587
Police Child Protection Team	020 8217 5462