Child Protection Statement & Welfare Plan
Child Protection Statement
The organising committee of the Youth freestyle series 2009 believe that the welfare and wellbeing of all children is paramount. All children, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion or ability, have equal rights to safety and protection. All suspicious, concerns and allegations of harm will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
A welfare officer for the event will be appointed and will act as the point of contact for any concerns or allegations. Their contact number will be displayed through out the duration of the event.
Welfare Plan
1. Contact Details
Contact details may vary depending on the event. At the morning briefing the following representatives will be identified and make themselves known.
- Welfare Officer
- Event Organiser
A poster will be placed at the sign in desk and in both male and female changing rooms of the site identifying these people and displaying there contact details and where possible their photo. The poster will also include; BCU child protection officer Telephone number 07775707364 and the local police number relevant to the event.
2. Reporting Structure
Please refer to the BCU Guidelines: “Child Protection Policy & Procedures January 2007”
All incidents will be reported using the BCU incident report form.
http://www.bcu.org.uk/files/Incident%20Report%20Form.pdf
3. Rules for each event and venue may be subject to change in relation to the combined group ability, the weather and water conditions on that particular day.
All helper parents and participants are expected to act within the Youth Freestyle Series code of conduct.
4. Medical provision will be that of the site that the event is being held at.
- At the morning brief “First Aiders” will be identified
- Heath questions will be asked on the entry forms
- Participants will be asked to come forward soon after briefing to privately make the event organisers and volunteers aware of any possible risks.
- Contact details and hospital locations will be published on the welfare officer’s poster.
5. Children are the responsibility of the parent/guardian through out the day both on and off the water. In addition to this at the volunteers brief in the morning the event organiser will ask volunteers to be vigilant and report anything suspicious such as photographers not displaying a badge and someone unknown / suspicious hanging around.
6. Children are the responsibility of the parent/guardian through out the day however in the case that a participant was to go missing the following actions should be taken.
Role call of all participants of the water at the briefing point.
- Sweep of the area to be carried out by volunteers to include changing areas.
- Parent to be contacted through the child welfare officer.
- Police to be contacted by either the hosting facility/centre manager or the event organiser.
7. It is unlikely that volunteers at the Youth Freestyle series will contact with children due to the nature of the parent/guardians role at the event. Throughout the course of 2010 those who volunteer on a regular basis will undergo disclosure checks to ensure best practice has been followed.
http://www.bcu.org.uk/files/BCU%20CRB%20Code%20of%20Practice.pdf
8. A copy of the BCU Child protection policy will be made available as part of the welfare plan at each event. A register of volunteers will be taken at each event noting Name, BCU number if applicable, Tick box to declare an awareness of the BCU child protection policy, Tick box declaring weather they have a current CRB check.
9. The BCU Guidelines for Photography will be adhered to where practically possible. To ensure parental consent is sought prior to any photo being published a section coving photography will be present on the parental consent form. In order to track those tacking photos wishing to take photos at the events a register of intent will be taken at the briefing and stickers issued with a correlating number.
10. Anyone who holds personal contact details of children weather participant or volunteers should undertake a disclosure check.
11. Complaints/Disciplinary Procedure TBC
Youth Freestyle Code of Conduct
It is the policy of: “The Youth Freestyle Series”, part of “UK Freestyle”; that all paddlers, volunteers, coaches and parents show respect and understanding for each other and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the Club. The aim is for all paddlers to improve performance and have fun.
Everyone involved in the Youth Freestyle Series should abide by the Club Rules and Policies.
Paddlers
• Take care of all property belonging to the event venue and fellow *participants.
• Treat other participants with respect at all times on and off the water. Treat other paddlers as you would want to be treated yourself
• Control tempers and avoid behaviour which may inconvenience or upset others.
• Co-operate and listen to your officials
Volunteers
• Consider the well being and safety of paddlers before the development of performance.
• Develop an appropriate working relationship with performers, based on mutual trust and respect
• Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part
• Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance
• Follow BCU and club guidelines and policies
• Hold the appropriate, up-dated qualifications and insurance
• Encourage paddlers to value their performance and not just results
• Never condone the use of prohibitive substances
Parents/Guardians
• Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results
• Never force your child to take part in sport
• Never punish or belittle a child for loosing or making mistakes
• Publicly accept official’s judgements
• Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy the sport
• Use correct and proper language at all times
• Set a good example by applauding good performances of all paddlers
*Participant includes paddlers, volunteers and parents
