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Contacts The main points of contact is Simon Austin. Child Welfare Policy The Club has its own Child Welfare Policy and theChild Welfare Officer is Simon Austin. The Wefare Policy is set out below: May 2006 Version 1.2.
Contents
1. The Policy
2. Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
1. The Policy (for publication/issue to parents)
The Children Act 1989 states that anyone who is involved in the care of children shall “do what is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the child’s welfare.” This policy is intended to assist with achieving this.
The Old Southendian Hockey Club (the Club) recognises and believes that the welfare of children is paramount and has a duty of care where they are in our charge. The Club will endeavour to provide a safe and caring environment for them whilst they participate in Youth Hockey activities.
In particular:
a) The safety and welfare of children shall always be of paramount importance, whatever the circumstances.
b) Everyone with a role in working with children has a moral and a legal responsibility to safeguard and promote a child’s welfare particularly when it comes to protecting children from abuse.
c) Special care is needed in dealing with children whose age, inexperience or physical state makes them particularly vulnerable to abuse.
The Club has therefore adopted this Child Welfare Policy to ensure that the welfare and safety of children in the care or custody of the Club is always the primary consideration.
The Club is committed to providing an environment where children can learn about, participate in and enjoy hockey free from harassment or abuse.
We undertake that we will:
1. Treat all children with respect
2. Provide a code of conduct for all members of the Club
3. Engage coaching and support staff who are aware of, and adopt, the Club’s Child Welfare Policy
4. Respond to concerns and allegations appropriately
The Child Welfare Officer will be responsible for:
1. Monitoring and recording concerns raised by a parent, guardian or club member
2. Making referrals to social services without delay
3. Liaising with other agencies as needed.
4. Arranging suitable training for all those who work with children/young people under the auspices of the Club
Confidentiality
In cases of disclosure of abuse, by children, their parents or guardians, or by members of the club, all shall share that information with the Club’s Child Welfare Officer who may refer those concerns to Social Services.
2. Parental/Guardian responsibilities.
The Club regrets having to appear prescriptive and draconian in it’s attitude to organising training sessions and matches. But this is being done with the best of intentions – to keep the Club in line with many other clubs with whom we participate in the sport and indeed in line with many other sports. It is in all our interests to accommodate this approach such that we are not disadvantaged through our regulating body.
Parents or Guradians may, at any time, discuss any matter of concern with the supervisor or leading coach of any group.
In respect of those children in their care the parent or guardian will:
5.1. Ensure those children arrive at the prescribed time for both training sessions and matches and register their arrival with the responsible club member.
5.2. Be on hand at the appointed time to collect children in their care at the end of training sessions and matches.
5.3. Be responsible for providing or arranging transport to and from matches.
5.4. Advise the relevant coach of any medical condition or injury that may affect the child’s ability to take part on a given day.
5.5. Encourage children to show respect to coaches, assistants and helpers during coaching and match situations and similarly to have respect for other children participating in Youth Hockey.
5.6. Ensure that those children are suitably attired with the correct level of clothing and protection such that the children may participate safely. The Club reserves the right to exclude any child not deemed to be suitably attired from coaching sessions and/or matches. In particular: shin pads MUST be worn, gum shields, astroturf footwear, hand guards and clothing appropriate for the time of year e.g. gloves in the cold are strongly recommended.
5.7. Be aware that the rules of hockey do not allow peak caps to be worn during matches for safety reasons and are also not recommended for training sessions – bobble or beany hats are acceptable at coaching sessions only.
5.8. Encourage children to not wear jewellery whilst attending training sessions or matches – this may pose a danger to the child and others.
5.9. Ensure that the relevant team manager is advised when one or more of those children in their care are unavailable for matches or any other coaching session arranged outside of the regular activities.
5.10. If wishing to use photographic equipment at a coaching session or match, seek the permission of the Club’s CWO or in the absence of the CWO, the Supervisor before doing so.
5.11. Encourage children NOT to take items of value to training and/or matches as the Club cannot take any responsibility for loss or theft. Coaches should not be burdened with the responsibility for safe keeping of such items, e.g. watches, rings, money.
5.12. Children participating in games or matches as representatives of the Club shall wear the approved club shirt, tee shirt or sweater as may be required from time to time.
5.13. Any item of clothing likely to be discarded by a child during a coaching session shall have the name of the child printed thereon. The club cannot accept any responsibility for lost clothing.
5.14. Any hockey stick and/or ball owned by a child shall have an identifying mark or name marked on the stick/ball. The Club cannot accept any responsibility for lost sticks and/or balls.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 20 May 2009 16:28 )
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