Child Protection
Southchurch F.C Child Protection Policy
Statement of intent
Every child or young person, defined as any person under the age of 18, who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in football.
The Club recognizes its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. It is determined to meet its obligation to ensure that by providing football opportunities for children and young people do so, to the highest possible standard of care.
The practices and procedures set out in this policy are based on the principles contained within U.K. and International legislation and Government guidance have been designed to complement local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) procedures and take the following into consideration.
The Children Act 1989
The Protection of Children Act 1999
Working Together to Safeguard Children
"Caring for the young and vulnerable"
Home Office Guidance for preventing
The abuse of trust 1999
The UN Convention on the Rights of The Child
Human Rights Act 1998
Action if there are concerns about the welfare of a child or young person
The following action should be taken by anyone who has concerns about the welfare of a child or young person in:
1. Football settings
2. The home or other settings
Non-action is not an option in Child Protection.
1. Concerns about poor practice and possible abuse within football settings
Child abuse can and does occur outside the family setting. Although it is a sensitive and difficult issue, child abuse has occurred within sport and may occur within other settings (e.g. other social activities). Recent inquiries indicate that abuse that takes place within a public setting is rarely a one-off event. It is crucial that those involved in football are aware of this possibility and that all allegations are treated seriously and appropriate actions taken. Allegations may also relate to poor practice where an adult's or peer's behavior is inappropriate and may be causing concern to a young person. Poor practice includes any behavior which contravenes existing Codes of Conduct, infringes individuals' rights and/or is a failure to fulfill the highest standards of care. Poor practice is unacceptable in football and will be treated seriously and appropriate actions taken.
1.1 Action to take if a child or young person informs you directly that he/she is concerned about someone's behavior towards them
If this happens, you should:
React calmly so as not to frighten the child or young person.
Tell the child or young person he/she is not to blame and that he/she was right to tell.
Take what the child or young person says seriously.
Ensure the safety of the child or young person
If the child or young person needs immediate medical treatment, take the child or young person to hospital or call ambulance, inform doctors of concerns and ensure that they are aware that this is a Child Protection issue.
Avoid leading the child or young person and keep any questions to the absolute minimum necessary to ensure a clear understanding of what has been said.
Re-assure the child or young person but do not make promises of confidentiality or outcome which might not be feasible in the light of subsequent developments.
Parents and careers should be contacted only after advice from Social Services.
Make a full record of what has been said, heard and/or seen as soon as possible.
Report the concerns to the person in charge or designated person immediately, unless the concern is about the person in charge.
The person in charge should be clearly identified in every football setting e.g. a designated person in a club, a Senior Coach, or a County Child Protection Officer. If the person in charge is not available, or the concern is about the person in charge, then report your concerns directly to the Child protection Officer. They will advise you whether a formal referral to Social Services is necessary and what further action you might need to take. If you are advised to make a formal referral make it clear to Social Services or the Police that this is a Child Protection referral.
You should also inform The F.A. Head of Education and Child Protection or The F.A. Child Protection Administrator on 01952 602301.
Confidentiality should be maintained on a strictly 'need to know' basis and relevant documents stored in a secure location.
WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE
Child abuse is a term used to describe ways in which children or young people are harmed, usually by adults and increasingly by peers. Often these are people they know and trust. It refers to the damage done to a child's or young person's physical, mental or emotional health. Children or young people can be abused within or outside their family, at school and within the football environment. Abusive situations arise when adults or peers misuse their power over children or young people.
There are four main forms of abuse:
Physical abuse includes situations where adults:
_ physically hurt or injure children or young people (e.g. by hitting, shaking, squeezing, biting or burning)
_ give children or young people alcohol, cigarettes, inappropriate drugs or poison
_ attempt to suffocate or drown children or young people
_ use excessive and inappropriate training methods
In the football environment, physical abuse might also occur when the nature and intensity of training exceeds the capacity of the child's or young person's immature and growing body, (e.g. overtraining) and also when coaches encourage children/young people to take performance enhancing drugs or alcohol.
Neglect includes situations in which:
_ a child's or young person's basic physical needs (e.g. for food, warm clothing) are not met
_ children or young people are consistently left alone and unsupervised
In the football environment, neglect might also occur if a teacher, coach or manager fails to ensure children or young people are safe, or exposes them to undue extremes of weather or risk of injury, e.g. through unsafe equipment.
Emotional abuse includes;
_ there is a persistent lack of love, affection or attention shown to a child or young person
_ children or young people are overprotected preventing them from socializing
_ children or young people are frequently shouted at or taunted
In the football environment, emotional abuse might also include situations where parents or coaches subject children or young people to constant criticism, bullying or unrealistic pressure to perform to high expectations or to attain standards they are clearly not able to reach.
The club's welfare officer is Jane John - 01159 746871
June 2007
