Folkestone Angels
Baton twirling club

Child protection policy
Rm

“Sport is an everyday activity for many children
and young people and makes a significant
contribution to their well being and development.
Whether involved in sport at a local level or
competing in a national championship all
children and young people have a right to have
fun, be safe and be protected from harm.”
NSPCC


Folkestone Angels baton twirling club, 25 Blenheim Drive, Hawkinge, Kent , Ct18 7FA, Tel 01303 893951, e-mail folkestoneangels@aol.com
Website: www.folkestoneangels.co.uk



Policy statement
The Folkestone Angels baton twirling club has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in the club from harm. All children have a right to protection, and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account. Folkestone Angels will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in the club through adherence to the Child Protection guidelines adopted by the Folkestone Angels baton twirling club.
A child is defined as a person under 18 years of age.

Introduction
All sporting organisations which make provision for children and young people must ensure that:
• The welfare of the child is paramount;
• All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse;
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately;
• All coaches/staff working in the club have a responsibility to report concerns to the appropriate officer. Club volunteers are generally not trained to deal with situations of abuse nor decide if abuse has occurred.
•Every person involved with the club is obliged to make sure that all children and young people using the club are safe and happy.
• Any concerns about a member of the club will be taken seriously and acted upon swiftly. The action taken will take into account what the children and young people say and feel.


Policy aims
The aim of the Folkestone Angels Child Protection Policy is to promote good practice:
• Providing children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst involved in club activities;
• Allow all coaches/staff /volunteers to make informed and confident response to specific child protection issues.

This document has been designed to help you understand and implement the Child Protection Policy. It contains the following help and guidance.
• What is child protection?
• A safe environment
• What is child abuse?
• How does this affect us?
• Promoting good practices
• Good practice guidelines
• Practices to be avoided
• Physical Contact
• Photographic and video guidelines
• Web Site guidelines
• How to listen and react
• What to do
• Discipline
• Bullying
• Recruitment of staff and volunteers
• Positive Vetting
• implementation plan


What is child protection?
Every child, regardless of age, has at all times and in all situations, the right to feel safe and protected from any situation or practice that results in a child being physically or psychologically harmed

WHAT IS CHILD PROTECTION?
Folkestone Angels offer a valuable contribution to the development of athletic skills and the promotion of worthwhile values through positive leadership, teamwork and community involvement. In this club members learn to trust and respect the adults of the club. This places the staff and volunteers in a unique position of trust and confidence.
This position of trust is one in which a child may feel the need to confide in you, or where you may feel that all is not well in the child’s life. The club has a duty to ensure that the staff and volunteers are equipped with the necessary information and knowledge to provide the support and guidance they need.
A safe environment is thus not just working to baton twirling and cheerleading safety guidelines, ensuring safety mats are provided for stunting, children are not pushed past their own physical limits and that safe techniques are taught thoroughly. It is a duty of care to ensure that all aspects of the child’s safety and well-being are paramount, and cared for.

 

There may be a time when a child approaches a trusted adult in the club to discuss a problem in their life. It is vital that you know how to react to this in a sensitive and appropriate manner. It may be something outside the club; it may however be something relating to relationships and behaviours that you had not been aware of
Child abuse, particularly sexual abuse, can arouse strong emotions in those facing such a situation. It is important to understand these feelings and not allow them to interfere with your judgement about any action to take. Abuse can occur within many situations including the home, school and the sporting environment. Some individuals will actively seek employment or voluntary work with young people in order to harm them.

 

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT US?

A coach, instructor, teacher, club official or volunteer may have regular contact with young people and be an important link in identifying cases where a young person needs protection. All suspicious cases of poor practice should be reported following the guidelines in this document. When a child enters the club having been subjected to child abuse outside the sporting environment, sport can play a crucial role in improving the child’s self esteem. In such instances the club must work with the appropriate agencies to ensure the child receives the required support.

What is child abuse?
There are four commonly recognised categories of child abuse. These are:
Physical Abuse - hurting or injuring a child, for example, by hitting or shaking them. This category is also likely to include bullying.
Sexual Abuse - when an adult exploits their power, authority or position and uses a child sexually to gratify their own needs - it could range from sexually suggestive comments to full intercourse.
Emotional Abuse - when a child is not given love, help and encouragement and is constantly derided, ridiculed or ignored. This also includes racially and sexually abusive remarks.
Neglect - this usually means failing to meet children's basic needs such as food, warmth, adequate clothing, medical attention etc it could also mean failing to ensure they are safe or exposing them to harm.



Promoting good practices
All personnel should be encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behaviour in order to safeguard children and ensure their welfare, and also to protect themselves from false allegations. The following are common sense examples of how to create a positive culture and climate within cheerleading:

Good practice means:
• always working in an open environment (e.g. avoiding private or unobserved situations and encouraging an open environment i.e. no secrets).
• treating all young people/disabled adults equally, and with respect and dignity.
• always putting the welfare of each young person first, before winning or achieving goals.
• maintaining a safe and appropriate distance with members
• building balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers children to share in the decision-making process;
• making sport fun, enjoyable and promoting fair play.
• ensuring that if any form of manual/physical support is required, it should be provided openly and according to guidelines enclosed. Care is needed, as it is difficult to maintain hand positions when the child is constantly moving.

Young people should always be consulted and their agreement gained. Some parents are becoming increasingly sensitive about manual support and their views should always be carefully considered.
• keeping up to date with the technical skills and qualifications.
• involving parents/carers wherever possible (e.g. for the responsibility of their children in the changing rooms). If groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms, always ensure parents/teachers/coaches/officials work in pairs.
• ensuring that if mixed teams are taken away, they should always be accompanied by a male and female member of staff. (NB however, same gender abuse can also occur)
• being an excellent role model – this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of young people.
• giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
• recognising the developmental needs and capacity of young people and avoiding excessive training or competition and not pushing them against their will.
• securing parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis, if the need arises to give permission for the administration of emergency first aid and/or other medical treatment.
• keeping a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.
• Requesting written parental consent if club officials are required to transport young people in their cars.

Practices to be avoided

The following should be avoided except in emergencies. If cases arise where these situations are unavoidable they should only occur with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge in the club or the child’s parents. For example, a child sustains an injury and needs to go to hospital, or a parent fails to arrive to pick a child up at the end of a session:
• Avoid spending excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others;
• Avoid taking children to your home where they will be alone with you.

Practice never to be sanctioned
The following should never be sanctioned. You should never:
• engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay;
• allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching;
• allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged;
• make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun;
• reduce a child to tears as a form of control;
• allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon;
• do things of a personal nature for children that they can do for themselves;
• invite or allow children to stay with you at your home unsupervised.

NB. Due to the nature of the club it may sometimes be necessary for the coach to touch parts of the body in order to demonstrate a skill that is being taught. This may include the inside of the legs or the torso but never intermate parts and this should only be carried out by the coach. It should be made clear to the member before you touch them what your intensions are.
It may also sometimes be necessary for staff or volunteers to do things of a personal nature for children, particularly if they are young or are disabled. These tasks should only be carried out with the full understanding and consent of parents and the member involved. There is a need to be responsive to a person’s reactions. If a person is fully dependent on you, talk with him/her about what you are doing and give choices where possible. This is particularly so if you are involved in any dressing or undressing of outer clothing, or where there is physical contact, lifting or assisting a child to carry out particular activities. Avoid taking on the responsibility for tasks for which you are not appropriately trained.

If any of the following occur you should report this immediately to another colleague and record the incident. You should also ensure the parents of the child are informed.
• if you accidentally hurt a member.
• if he/she seems distressed in any manner.
• if a member misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done standards.

Physical Contact
Many sports, by their nature, require a degree of physical contact between adults and children/
young people. Physical contact can be used appropriately to instruct, encourage, protect or comfort. The aims of guidelines relating to physical contact are to provide adults and
children/young people with appropriate types and contexts for touching. Physical contact between adults and children/ young people should only be used when the aim is to:
• Develop sports skills or techniques;
• To treat an injury;
• To prevent an injury;
• To meet the requirements of the particular sport.
Physical contact should not involve touching genital areas, buttocks or breasts.
Physical contact should always meet the need of the child/young person and not the need of the adult.
Physical contact should be fully explained to the child/young person and prior consent be sought from parents, except in the case of an emergency. Physical contact should not take
place in secret or out of sight of others. Records of injuries should be fully recorded

Photographic and video guidelines
For safety reasons flash photography is not allowed at Folkestone Angels events.
Parents will be given the option of not allowing photographs of their child/team.
Private individuals wishing to take photographs must first seek permission from the Committee.

Videoing at Folkestone angel’s events is only allowed by approved and authorised persons.
Videoing as a coaching aid: there is no intention to prevent club coaches and teachers using video equipment as a legitimate coaching aid. However, performers and their parents/carers should be aware that this is part of the coaching programme and care should be taken in the storing of such films. All video and/or photographs must be of a wholesome and positive nature, avoiding emphasising inappropriate body areas, postures, underwear, or from under stunts or pyramids.
PHOTOGRAPHIC AND VIDEOGUIDELINES
There is evidence that some people have used sporting events as an opportunity to take
inappropriate photographs or film footage of young people in vulnerable positions. It is advisable that all staff/volunteers and parents be vigilant with any concerns to be reported to the
Club Child Welfare Officer. Photography is monitored at Club events.

Representatives of the Media must first seek permission from the committee before coming to
events, where they will be monitored by Folkestone Angels staff. It is not always possible to control photos take when the team is on display ( carnivals ect) but it can be requested that the photos are not published in local newspaper ect if there is any cause for concern with regards to a Childs safety

Web Site guidelines
The internet is a means of accessing information, the content of some external material available can be highly unsavoury. The following guidelines are used by the club in making our web resource informative whilst being wholesome safe and secure
•Permission is gained from the parent before any images or names of members are included on the website
• No personal information about a child, or contact details should be contained on a web site.
• All Folkestone Angels web site content is produced directly by the club, is fully checked, wholesome, and suitable for the youngest of on-line visitors
• All photographs are reproduced with permission, selected to show the club in the best image and integrity, and are of a positive and wholesome nature (see above). M
• Links to external sites are always fully vetted for content and suitability, with these links being re-checked on a regular basis.

How to listen and react
Coaches staff and volunteers must acknowledge the age group they are working with, and never trivialise or exaggerate child abuse issues. If a child confides in you about a sensitive issue of concern you should;
• Allow the child time to speak without interruption or in leading them by making suggestions.
• Do not try to interrogate other than to clarify your understanding.
• Reassure the child that you are glad that they have told you and that they were right to do so.
• Be honest in telling the child that you cannot keep it a secret, and that you will have to tell someone who can help.
• Remain calm, no matter how difficult it may be to listen. You have been chosen because the child feels they can talk to you. Do not show anger disgust disbelief or negative feelings.
• Really listen. Take in what they say seriously.
• As soon as practical afterwards write down everything the child has told you but remember that it is highly confidential.

What to do
Problems outside the Sport
• Any suspicion that a child has been abused should be reported to the Club Child Welfare Officer, (see 'Concerns Procedure'), who will take such steps as considered necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and any other child who may be at risk.
• The Club Child Welfare Officer will refer the allegation to the social services department, who in turn may involve the police.
It is not the responsibility of those working in the club to decide
that child abuse is occurring, however, it is their responsibility to refer any concerns on.
• The parents or carers of the child will be contacted as soon as possible following advice from the social services department. Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information should be handled and disseminated on a strictly need to know basis only.

Problems within the Sport
•The same principles will apply, If the Club Child Welfare Officer is the subject of the suspicion/allegation, the report must be made to the appropriate committee member
•The Child Welfare Officer will make an immediate decision about whether any individual accused of abuse should be temporarily suspended pending further police and social services inquiries.
•The welfare of children should always remain paramount.

Discipline
Baton Twirling involves athletic techniques and equipment where for safety reasons control and attention has to be maintained. Non physical discipline may be required on occasions due to inappropriate or unsafe behaviour of children/young people. When discipline is used it should be done so appropriately and with the clear intention of teaching or reinforcing appropriate behaviour. It must not be used impulsively, to gain power, or to embarrass or humiliate a child/young person.
Discipline should be used only to:
• Develop a sense of responsibility for behaviour;
• Develop respect for others and their property;
• Reinforce the rules or values of the sport;
• Reinforce positive behaviour or attitudes;
• Reinforce awareness of health and safety aspects of the activity.

Bullying
Bullying is often defined in terms of three components.
• It must occur over time, rather than being a single aggressive act.
• It involves an imbalance of power, the powerful attack the powerless.
• It can be psychological, verbal, or physical in nature.
Action if Bullying is Suspected
The same procedure should be followed if bullying is suspected. All settings in which
children are provided with services or are living away from home should have rigorously
enforced anti-bullying strategies in place.
Action to Help the Victim and Prevent Bullying in Sport:
• Take all signs of bullying very seriously.
• Encourage all children to speak and share their concerns (It is believed that up to 12 children per year commit suicide as a result of bullying, so if anyone talks about or threatens suicide, seek professional help immediately). Help the victim to speak out and tell the person in charge or someone in authority. Create an open environment.
• Investigate all allegations and take action to ensure the victim is safe. Speak with the victim and the bully(ies) separately.
• Reassure the victim that you can be trusted and will help them, although you cannot promise to tell no one else.
• Keep records of what is said (what happened, by whom, when).
• Report any concerns to the Club Child Welfare Officer or the school (wherever the bullying is occurring).
Action Towards the Bully(ies):
• Talk with the bully(ies), explain the situation, and try to get the bully(ies) to understand the consequences of their behaviour. Seek an apology to the victim(s).
• Inform the bully’s parents.
• Insist on the return of borrowed items and that the bully(ies) compensate the victim.
• Provide support for the coach of the victim.
• Impose sanctions as necessary. Encourage and support the bully(ies) to change behaviour.
• Hold meetings with the families to report on progress.


Recruitment of staff and volunteers
It is recognised that most volunteers to the club will be parents or a person related to a member of the club. This help is often offered on a casual basis, e.g. not wanting to take an official position in the club but helping with events and fundraising ECT. The club feels it would be unbeneficial to carry out interviews and CRB checks on these people. When this occurs the following guidelines should be followed:
• They should work along side a member of staff or another volunteer in a buddies system to protect themselves.
•These people should not be left alone with any children other than their own child if applicable.
• They must not make any physical contact with the children.
• They can not do things of a personal nature for children, particularly if they are young or are disabled. (E.g. change a young child who may have had an accident and need clothes changing)
• They are not permitted to teach or coach members.

When undertaking pre-selection checks the following should be included:
• All applicable volunteers/staff should be willing to complete a CRB application form. The application form will elect information about the applicants identity and a self disclosure about any criminal record.
• Consent should be obtained from an applicant to seek information from the Criminal Records Bureau.
• Confidential references, preferably including previous work with children. These references will be taken up and confirmed through telephone contact.
• Evidence of identity (passport, birth certificate, or driving licence with Photo).
The Criminal Records Bureau has been established to provide organisations with relevant information to assist in the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers working with children and
young people. The club will prefer all those holding recognised positions to undertake a CRB disclosure. Baton twirling recognises some individuals may pose a risk to children and young people and that all reasonable steps are to be taken to ensure unsuitable people are prevented from working with children.

Positive Vetting
What is Positive Vetting?
Positive vetting is a process in which coaches staff and voluntary helpers with substantial access to children and young people are cleared by the appropriate authorities, in this case the Criminal Records Bureau. Clearance is effected by establishing identity and checked by the CRB against Police, Department of Health, and Department of Education records.

Who will be checked?
Adult staff with substantial access to children or young people. This would usually mean head coaches, plus any adult assistant coaches and helpers who may be in unsupervised control and responsible for cheerleaders. Where an assistant coach or helper is only ever conducting their duties under the direct supervision of cleared staff then clearance is not required. However, un-cleared staff must never be left in sole responsible charge of cheerleaders who are not their own children.
Position Level of disclosure
Club welfare officer Enhanced
Head Coach / Coach Enhanced
Asst Coach (over 18) Standard
Existing clearance
Many will already have been cleared by the CRB. eg: Teachers, social workers, and those cleared through other sports or dance association CRB registered bodies. A copy of your existing disclosure certificate will be accepted by the club in place of separate clearance.
• This Policy is to be reviewed every 3 years or whenever there is a major change in the organisation or in relevant legislation

The implementation of the Folkestone Angels Child Protection Policy consists of four planned phases.
Preliminary work consists of the formulation and official approval of this policy, formal acceptance at the 2006 Folkestone Angels AGM to introduce and implement, plus publication on the club website where it can been seen by all members and other clubs
1. Folkestone angels registers with the Criminal Records Bureau as a Registered Body for processing Disclosure Applications or affiliates it’s self to an organisation that can undertake this process on our behalf.
2. Relevant Folkestone Angels Committee staff appointed and trained as Child Welfare Officers.
3. Child Protection Policy information and education for coaches and club staff instigated.
4. The club joins and completes the NSPCC staying safe commitment scheme

Folkestone angels should make all staff volunteers and parents aware of the club Child Protection Policy and its purpose in protecting children from harm. Each member will be offered a copy upon joining the club and further copies will be available to download from the web site. Awareness and guidance on child protection issues helps safeguard young members, which is the collective responsibility of everyone involved with the club

These rules are in place to protect the children of Folkestone Angles Baton Twirling club and the staff who teach and take care of them. They are to be followed at all times by all members and staff alike. It may be reviewed and adjusted to improve care of member at any time by the committee only. If you feel that this policy can be improved in any way please discuss it with a member of the committee, who will then put your suggestion to the rest of the committee for discussion and possible inclusion. If you feel that the rules set out below are not being followed please contact a member of the committee to discuss your concerns.

IMPLEMENTATION BY CLUBS
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This Policy was adopted by the committee of the Folkestone Angels Baton Twirling club At the club Annual general meeting held at St Augustine’s center, Dover rd, Folkestone, on Monday 18th December 2006.