Child Protection
1 GOOD PRACTICE IN ROWINGParticipant Welfare, Good Practice and Child Protection Policy and Procedures
1.1 Introduction
Everyone who participates in Rowing is entitled to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment. To ensure this, Deal Rowing Club (DRC) has adopted the principles of the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA) that all its personnel and member clubs should follow.These principles apply to all participants, but young people in particular are entitled to a higher duty of care and to be protected from poor practice or abuse. Abuse can occur within many situations including the home, school and the sporting environment. Some individuals will actively seek employment or voluntary work with children in order to harm them. Deal Rowing Club (DRC) is committed to devising and implementing policies so that everyone in the sport accepts their responsibilities to safeguard children from harm and abuse. This means following procedures to protect children and to report any concerns about their welfare to appropriate authorities.Everyone working in rowing either in a paid or a voluntary capacity, together with those working in affiliated organisations, has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of children and preventing their abuse. Anyone may have regular contact with children and be a very important link in identifying cases where a child needs protection. The Association advises that coaches of Juniors be ARA qualified and that in any case they fully accept the Sportscoach UK Code of Conduct which is included in all ARA Coaching Course Handbooks.
All policies and procedures discussed below refer to vulnerable adults as well as to children.
1.2 Policy statement
DRC is committed to the following:the welfare of young people is paramount all young people, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity should be able to participate in Rowing in a fun and safe environment taking all reasonable steps to protect young people from harm, discrimination and degrading treatment and to respect their rights, wishes and feelings all suspicions and allegations of poor practice or abuse will be taken seriously, and responded to swiftly and appropriately all ARA employees who work with young people will be recruited with regard to their suitability for that responsibility, and will be provided with guidance and/or training in good practice and child protection procedures that all its member clubs and affiliated organisations will similarly accept responsibility for the welfare of the young people in their care in accordance with the ARA’s policies and procedures, and will incorporate this within their constitutions.
1.3 Terms and abbreviations
The following terms and abbreviations are used in this document.Anyone under the age of 18 is considered to be a child/young person ‘Parent’ is used as a generic term to include parents, carers and guardians ‘Personnel’ includes employees of DRC as well as volunteers and all participants in the sport of Rowing ‘Welfare Officer’ is the individual within an affiliated club whose responsibilities are explained in section 3.4 below DRC: Deal Rowing Club
CPO: Child Protection Officer (of the ARA)
CRB: Criminal Records Bureau
2 Good Practice, Poor Practice and Abuse
2.1 Introduction
To provide young people with the best possible experience and opportunities in Rowing, everyone must operate within an accepted ethical framework (such as the Sportscoach UK Code of Conduct) and demonstrate exemplary behaviour. Not only will this allow Rowing to make a positive contribution to the development of young people and safeguards their welfare, but it also protects all personnel from the risk of false allegations of abuse or poor practice.It is not always easy to distinguish poor practice from abuse, whether intentional or accidental. It is not therefore the responsibility of employees or participants in Rowing to make judgements about whether or not abuse is taking place. It is, however, their responsibility to identify poor practice and possible abuse and to act if they have concerns about the welfare of a child, as explained in section 4. This section will help you identify what is meant by good practice, poor practice and abuse.
2.2 Good practice
All personnel should adhere to the following principles and actions.Before undertaking any activities involving young people, conduct a risk assessment to identify possible sources of danger and take appropriate action to minimise these risks Make the experience of Rowing fun and enjoyable; promote fairness, confront and deal with bullying and do not condone rule violations or the use of prohibited or illegal substances; insist on adherence to the ARA Water Safety Code and its Child Protection procedures Treat all young people equally; this means giving both the more and less talented members of a group similar attention, time, respect and preserving their dignity Respect the developmental stage of each young person and do not risk sacrificing their welfare in a desire for club or personal achievements. This means ensuring that the training intensity is appropriate to the physical, social and emotional stage of the development of the rower – guidance on how much and how often juniors should train is available from the ARA. Training and competition schedules must be suited primarily to the needs and the interests of the child, not those of the parents, coaches or club Build relationships based on mutual trust and respect, in which young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own development and decision-making. Avoid situations where the coach or team manager use their position and power to decide what the rower should or should not do without consideration of the young person’s needs and capabilities Always be publicly open when working with children. Avoid coaching sessions or meetings where a coach and an individual athlete are completely unobserved Where children need to be supervised in the changing rooms, coaches should work in pairs, and involve parents if possible. Maintain an appropriate and open environment, with no secrets. Avoid unnecessary physical contact with young people. Where any form of physical guidance is required in teaching technique, this should be provided openly and with the consent of the athlete. It is important to educate parents of what is and is not acceptable technically in the context of rowing. Physical contact (touching) can be appropriate so long as it is neither intrusive nor disturbing and the athlete’s permission has been given. Maintain a safe and appropriate relationship with athletes. It is inappropriate for coaches and others in positions of authority to have an intimate relationship with a young person, even if they are over 16, the normal age of legal consent. (This could also be a criminal offence ‘abuse of trust’ in certain circumstances defined by the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000) Maintain appropriate standards of behaviour at social events that young people attend Be an excellent role model, for example by not smoking or drinking alcohol while working with young people Communicate regularly with parents and involve them in decision-making. Gain their consent in writing to act in loco parentis to give permission for the administration of emergency first aid or other medical treatment if the need arises Be aware of any medical conditions, existing injuries and medicines being taken. Keep a written record of any injury or accident that occurs, together with details of any treatment given. Arrange that someone with knowledge of first aid is readily available Gain written parental consent for any significant travel arrangements, especially if an overnight stay is involved
2.3 Poor practice
The following are regarded as poor practice and should be avoided by all personnel.Unnecessarily spending excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others Taking children alone in a car on journeys, however short Taking children to your home where they will be alone with you Sharing a room with a child Engaging in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay Allowing or engaging in inappropriate touching of any form Allowing children to use inappropriate language unchallenged Making sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun Reducing a child to tears as a form of control Letting allegations a child makes go unchallenged, unrecorded, or not acted upon Doing things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves Having children stay at your home with you unsupervised Where cases arise where it is impractical to avoid any of the situations mentioned in this section, they should only occur with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge in the organisation and the children’s parents.If during your care of a child you accidentally hurt them, the child seems distressed in any manner, appears to be sexually aroused by your actions, or misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done, report any such incidents as soon as possible to another colleague and make a brief written note of it. Parents should also be informed of the incident.
2.4 Abuse
Abuse in all its forms can affect a child at any age. The effects can be so damaging that if not treated, they may follow an individual into adulthood. For example, an adult who has been abused as a child may find it difficult, or impossible, to maintain a stable, trusting relationship; may become involved with drugs or prostitution; may attempt suicide; or may abuse a child in the future.Children with disabilities may be at increased risk of abuse through various factors such as stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, isolation, and a powerlessness to protect themselves, or adequately to communicate that abuse has occurred. Children from ethnic minorities, who may also be experiencing racial discrimination, may be, or feel, doubly powerless in these respects.Abuse may take a number of forms, and may be classified under the following headings:
NeglectThis is where adults fail to meet a child’s basic needs like food, shelter, warm clothing or medical care, or to protect them from physical harm. Children might also be constantly left alone or unsupervised.Neglect in a sport situation could include a coach not keeping children safe, or exposing them to undue cold, heat or the unnecessary risk of injury. In particular, those in charge of young people must always make sure that they have adequate clothing for the prevailing conditions.
Physical Abuse
This is where someone physically hurts or injures children, for example by hitting, shaking, throwing, squeezing, burning, suffocating and biting or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Giving children alcohol or inappropriate drugs would also constitute physical abuse.
In sports situations, physical abuse might occur when the nature and intensity of training disregard the capacity of the child’s immature and growing body.
Sexual AbuseGirls and boys can be abused by adults or other children, both male and female, who use children to meet their own sexual needs. This could include full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse or fondling. Showing children pornographic material is also a form of sexual abuse.In sport, activities which might involve physical contact with children could potentially create situations where sexual abuse may go unnoticed. Also the power of the coach over young athletes, if misused, may lead to abusive situations developing. Emotional Abuse
Persistent lack of love and affection, where children may be led to believe that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may involve the child being constantly shouted at, threatened or taunted which may make the child very nervous and withdrawn. It may also feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. Emotional abuse also occurs when there is constant overprotection, which prevents children from socialising.Emotional abuse in sport might include situations where children are subjected by a parent or coach to constant criticism, name-calling, sarcasm, bullying, racism or unrealistic pressure in order to perform to high expectations.
Bullying
This may be bullying of a child by an adult or another child. Bullying is defined as deliberate hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period if time, where it is difficult for those bullied to defend themselves. It may be physical (e.g. hitting, kicking, theft), verbal (e.g. racist or homophobic remarks, threats, name-calling, graffiti, abusive text messages transmitted by phone or on the internet), emotional (e.g. tormenting, ridiculing, humiliating, ignoring, isolating from the group), or sexual (e.g. unwanted physical contact or abusive comments).In sport, bullying may arise when a parent pushes a child too hard to succeed, a coach adopts a win-at-all-costs philosophy, or a rival athlete or official uses bullying behaviour.
2.5 Indicators of abuse
Even for those experienced in working with child abuse, it is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has already taken place. The ARA acknowledges that most people involved in Rowing are not experts in such recognition, but indications that a child is being abused may include one or more of the following:Unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns, particularly if situated on a part of the body not normally prone to such injuries An injury for which an explanation seems inconsistent The child describes what appears to be an abusive act involving him/her Someone else – a child or adult, expresses concern about the welfare of a child Unexplained changes in a child’s behaviour – e.g. becoming very quiet, withdrawn, or displaying sudden outbursts of temper - or behaviour changing over time Inappropriate sexual awareness Engaging in sexually explicit behaviour in games Distrust of adults, particularly those with whom a close relationship would normally be expected Difficulty in making friends Being prevented from socialising with other children Displaying variations in eating patterns including overeating or loss of appetite Losing weight for no apparent reason Becoming increasingly dirty or unkempt It must be recognised that the above list is not exhaustive, but also that the presence of one or more of the indicators is not proof that abuse is actually taking place. It is not the responsibility of those working in rowing to decide that child abuse is occurring, but it is their responsibility to act on any concerns.
Signs of bullying may includeBehavioural changes such as reduced concentration or becoming withdrawn, clingy, depressed, tearful, emotionally up and down, reluctant to go to training or to competitions an unexplained drop-off in performance physical signs such as stomach-aches, headaches, difficulty in sleeping, bed-wetting, scratching and bruising, damaged clothes and bingeing on food, cigarettes or alcohol a shortage of money or frequent loss of possessions
3 Recruiting and selecting personnel to work with children
3.1 Introduction
Anyone may have the potential to abuse children in some way and it is important that all reasonable steps are taken to prevent unsuitable people from working with children. This applies equally to volunteers as well as paid staff, and to both part time and full time workers. The procedures set out below are expressed in terms that apply to paid staff, but equivalent procedures should be used in respect of volunteers. The particular circumstances of individual cases need to be taken into account, but the fundamental principle is that those in charge of activities involving young people must take all reasonable steps to satisfy themselves as to the suitability of those who are given access to the children in their care.
3.2 Controlling access to children
Applicants for positions that involve significant access to young people (for example junior coaches or junior co-ordinators) should first complete procedures designed to elicit information about their past career (including any gaps), and to disclose any criminal record or other matter that has a bearing on their suitability to work with children e.g. previous investigations with police or social services or disciplinary investigations in relation to work with children. It should be made clear that failure to disclose relevant information will result in disciplinary action and possible dismissal or exclusion.Consent should be obtained from applicants for checks to be conducted to determine whether any relevant information on them is held by the Criminal Records Bureau. At least two references should be taken up in relation to professional staff, including at least one regarding previous work with children – see Appendix 1. Similar procedures should be applied for volunteers; for example where a coach transfers from one club to another, it would be appropriate to contact the previous club to see whether there is any reason that they should not be given access to young people. All information received in relation to applicants must be kept secure and treated with strict confidentiality.
3.3 Vetting
All personnel who will have significant access to young people must first be vetted to establish whether they have any criminal convictions or other past behaviour that suggests they are unsuitable to work with children. This applies equally to paid staff and volunteers. This is done by obtaining a Disclosure about the individual from the Criminal Records Bureau. The required procedure is explained in Appendix 2.In the past, before the Criminal Records Bureau was established, applicants completed a self-declaration form containing similar information, and giving their consent to have checks made about them with the police and social services. This procedure is no longer available for new applications, but those people who have previously submitted such a form in relation to their existing activities in a particular club need not obtain a Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau for the time being. However, anyone applying for a new position, including those who move to a different club, must now obtain the CRB Disclosure.It is important to emphasise that the absence of any relevant disclosure emerging from this vetting process does not guarantee that the individual is safe to work with children, so it should not be relied on excessively. It is only one of a number of factors in the initial assessment of the person’s suitability for such responsibilities.
3.4 The Welfare Officer within the club
DRC will seek to appoint a Welfare Officer to advise the club committee on compliance with all the procedures described in this booklet and to act as a focal point for reporting any concerns. This person will have the primary responsibility to check that everyone who has significant access to young people within the club is suitable for that role and has been vetted as described above. The person appointed should be identifiable to the junior members of the club and their parents, but should have a degree of independence from their activities – for example he or she should not be the junior co-ordinator or actively coaching juniors. The Welfare Officer should undergo the vetting procedure described at 3.3 above.
3.5 TrainingThe effectiveness of the policies described in this booklet will depend on everyone who is involved with junior rowing being aware of what is good practice and current ARA procedures. This applies particularly to those working directly with young people, such as junior co-ordinators, coaches and Welfare Officers, but an awareness of child protection issues is also needed by others who may be involved more indirectly, such as administrative staff, regatta organisers, committee members or occasional helpers.At present, two training courses on Child Protection are available through the Association and are recommended for those groups identified above.ARA In-House Course (90 minutes), which is available as a stand-alone seminar and is included within the ARA Instructors Award. Coaches wishing to progress to the ARA Bronze Award and those wishing more information can undertake the Sports Coach UK (3 hour) course. This course is a prerequisite for the ARA Bronze Award. The ARA will promote all Child Protection Training via its CDO Club Newsletters and the ARA Website www.ara-rowing.orgFormal training in child protection will help people to:compare their own practice against what is regarded as good practice in Rowing and check that their practice is likely to protect them from false allegationsrecognise their responsibilities and report any concerns about suspected poor practice or abuse deal with the vetting procedures described at 3.3 above work safely and effectively with children.4 Responding to suspicions and allegations
4.1 Introduction
Most cases of child abuse in fact take place within the family setting. However, abuse can and does occur in other situations as well, which may include sport or other social activities, and is rarely a one-off event when it occurs within such a setting. It is crucial that those involved in rowing are aware of this possibility and that all allegations are taken seriously and appropriate action taken.It is not the responsibility of anyone within DRC, whether in a paid or a voluntary capacity, to decide whether or not child abuse is taking place. However, there is a responsibility to inform appropriate agencies of possible abuse so that they can then make inquiries and take any necessary action to protect the child. This applies both to suspicions of abuse occurring within the context of rowing activities and to allegations that abuse is taking place elsewhere. This section explains how you should respond to such concerns.
4.2 Receiving evidence of possible abuse
We may become aware of possible abuse in various ways. We may see it happening ourselves; we may suspect that it is occurring because of signs such as those listed in 2.5 above; it may be reported to us by someone else, or directly by the child affected.In the last of these cases, it is particularly important to respond appropriately. If a child says or indicates that he or she is being abused, or information is obtained which gives you concern that a child is being abused, you should:React calmly so as not to frighten the child Tell the child they are not to blame and that it was right to tell Take what the child says seriously, recognising the difficulties inherent in interpreting what is said by a child who has a speech disability and/or differences in language Keep questions to the absolute minimum necessary so that there is a clear and accurate understanding of what has been said Reassure the child, but do not promise to keep the matter secret – explain that to resolve the problem it will be necessary to inform other people as appropriate.
4.3 Recording informationAs with other forms of information arising in relation to child protection, information of this kind is highly sensitive and confidential. Accordingly, it should be held under secure conditions and only made available to those who have a definite need for it.You should make a note as soon as possible of whatever information you obtain, both for your own future reference and possibly for passing on to others, such as the ARA’s Child Protection Officer or appropriate agencies such as the social services department or the police. In writing such a note, you should confine yourself to the facts, and distinguish between what is your own personal knowledge and what you have been told by other people. You should not include your own opinions on the matter, to avoid the possibility of libel. Information should include the following:The nature of the allegation, in as much detail as possible, including times, dates, locations and other relevant information Details of the child involved, including name, age, address and other contact details, and identifying who has parental responsibility for the child Details of the person against whom the allegation is made, including name, relationship with the child, age and contact details (if known) The identity and contact details of any informants or other witnesses The child’s account, if he or she can give one, of what has happened A description of any visible bruising or other injuries Details of who else has been informed of the alleged incident Any other relevant information An example of an incident report for recording such information is set out in Appendix 3.
4.4 Reporting the concern
DRC expects its members to discuss any concern they may have about the welfare of a child immediately with the person in charge, and subsequently to check that appropriate action has been taken. The particular route you might follow in various circumstances is suggested below. Working within DRC
If you are working within DRC, you should inform the Welfare Officer or the person in charge of the club.
Working with or in schools
If you are working with schoolchildren as part of the school curriculum or extra-curricular activities you should inform the Head Teacher of the school or his nominee. Working with athletes away from home
If you are working with athletes away from home (for example on training camps or at regattas), then you should inform the Head Coach or Team Manager.
Circumstances in which other people might then need to be informed are discussed below: Parents or carers
There is always a commitment to work in partnership with parents or carers where there are concerns about their children. Therefore, in most situations, it would be important to talk to parents or carers to help clarify any initial concerns. For example, if a child seems withdrawn, they may have experienced a bereavement in the family. However, there are circumstances in which a child might be placed at even greater risk were such concerns to be shared, e.g. where a parent or carer may be responsible for the abuse or not able to respond to the situation appropriately. In these situations, or where concerns still exist, any suspicion, allegation, or incident of abuse must be reported to appropriate agencies as soon as possible.
The NSPCC or other agencies
The first consideration at this point is to minimise the danger of further abuse to the child or to other children. The person in charge should seek advice from the local police or social services department or the NSPCC. (You can obtain advice by telephoning the NSPCC freephone Helpline – the number is 0808 800 5000 and is a 24 hour service. You do not have to give your name but it is helpful if you can.) The allegation should be referred to the police and social services department in any case involving physical or sexual abuse or where the child’s safety is otherwise at risk. If the person in charge is not available, or the concern is about the person in charge, the person in receipt of the information or with the concern should contact these agencies direct. Reporting the matter to the police or social services department should not be delayed by attempts to obtain more information. Social Services
The social services department has a statutory duty under the Children Act 1989 for the welfare of a child. When a child protection referral is made its staff have a legal responsibility to investigate. This may involve talking to the child and family and gathering information from other people who know the child. The telephone number is in the local phone book. Wherever possible, referrals telephoned to the social services department should be confirmed in writing within 24 hours. A record should also be made of the name and designation of the social services member of staff to whom the concerns were passed, together with the time and date of the call, in case any follow-up is needed.
Police
Where the apparent abuse is of a criminal nature, it will be appropriate to inform the police. A record should be made of the crime reference number provided by the police, together with the time and date of the call, in case any follow-up is needed. The police and social services department may also carry out a joint enquiry. The ARA
The person in charge may be unsure about whether the allegation constitutes abuse or not, and unclear about what action to take. There may be circumstances where allegations are about poor practice (which need not be referred to the social services or police) rather than abuse, but those responsible should consult with the Child Protection Officer (CPO) of the ARA who will gain further advice where there is any doubt. Notifying the CPO is also important because this matter may be just one of a series of other instances which together cause concern.
4.5 Disciplinary procedures
The discovery that a member of staff or volunteer may be abusing a child will raise feelings and concerns among other staff or volunteers, and it can be inherently difficult to report such matters. However, it is important that any concerns for the welfare of the child arising from abuse or harassment by a member of staff or volunteer should be reported immediately. DRC assures all members and volunteers that it will fully support and protect anyone who, in good faith, reports his or her concern that a colleague is or may be abusing a child.As indicated above an allegation of abuse may give rise to a child protection investigation by the social services department and/or a criminal investigation involving the police. In addition, if the abuse is alleged to have been committed in the course of a person’s employment, he or she will be subject to whatever disciplinary procedures and sanctions are provided for within the employment contract.However, for both volunteers and paid staff, if the abuse is alleged to have occurred within the context of rowing, it may also require disciplinary action by the club and/or the ARA. The Welfare Officer or other person in charge of the club should therefore inform the ARA’s Child Protection Officer of the circumstances. This may be done by letter to ARA headquarters; alternatively, the ARA’s Child Protection Officer may be contacted by telephone through the ARA’s National Manager.The ARA CPO, in consultation with the officers of the Association, will make a decision as to whether any immediate action is required.If the matter is being investigated by the police and/or social services, the ARA may decide to await the outcome of these investigations, which may well influence a disciplinary investigation, although not necessarily so. In appropriate cases, the club and/or the Association will suspend the individual concerned while an investigation is taking place. This is not intended to prejudge the outcome of the investigation, but simply to remove the individual from contact with children until the investigation is concluded. Irrespective of the findings of the social services or police inquiries, the Association will assess all individual cases under the appropriate misconduct/disciplinary procedure.
The disciplinary sanctions available include the following:By the club – Suspension or exclusion from membership of the individual concerned, and such other sanctions are provided for within the club’s constitutionBy the ARA – Suspension or withdrawal of the individual’s status as a registered member of the ARA, or his or her accreditation as a coach or an umpire, together with reprimands and fines as provided for within the Association’s Rules
In addition the ARA may impose disciplinary sanctions against clubs who fail to apply these Child Protection Procedures, particularly if such failures are serious or persistent. Disciplinary, grievance and appeals procedures will be conducted in accordance with the Association’s Rules. Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality for all concerned, and consideration will be given to what support may be appropriate to children, parents, members of staff and volunteers.If, following discussion between the ARA’s CPO and relevant club officials, it is clear that the allegation is about poor practice rather than abuse, then it will dealt with as a misconduct issue, either by the club’s disciplinary procedures or by the ARA.Where any matter has been handled by the club but nevertheless concerns remain, then this should be referred to the CPO of the ARA. Senior officers of the Association will need to decide how this will be dealt with and whether or not to initiate disciplinary proceedings. 4.6 Allegations of previous abuse
Allegations of abuse are sometimes made some time after the event, for example, by an adult who was abused as a child by a member of staff who is still working with children. Where such an allegation is made, you should follow the procedures given above and have the matter reported to the police and/or social services department. This is because other children, either within the sport or outside it, may be at risk from this person. Anyone who has a previous criminal conviction for offences related to abuse is automatically excluded from working with children.5 Implementation and monitoring procedures
The Association has established a Child Protection Group to oversee the implementation of these procedures and to monitor their application in practice. It is this Group’s responsibility to check that the procedures continue to reflect the current recommendations of external agencies that specialise in child protection and are disseminated and applied by the Association’s members.The Group has designed a checklist for clubs and other organisations to monitor their own compliance with the requirements set out in this booklet; this is contained in Appendix 4. From time to time, checks will be conducted to verify the results of this self-monitoring procedure.The Group will make an annual report to the Association’s Executive Committee, through the Deputy Chairman – Corporate Governance, on the progress of its activities in implementing and monitoring these procedures, and on the incidence and outcome of cases that have arisen in the year. AppendicesIf required these can be obtained either from the secretary of DRC or the ARA.
1.1 Introduction
Everyone who participates in Rowing is entitled to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment. To ensure this, Deal Rowing Club (DRC) has adopted the principles of the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA) that all its personnel and member clubs should follow.These principles apply to all participants, but young people in particular are entitled to a higher duty of care and to be protected from poor practice or abuse. Abuse can occur within many situations including the home, school and the sporting environment. Some individuals will actively seek employment or voluntary work with children in order to harm them. Deal Rowing Club (DRC) is committed to devising and implementing policies so that everyone in the sport accepts their responsibilities to safeguard children from harm and abuse. This means following procedures to protect children and to report any concerns about their welfare to appropriate authorities.Everyone working in rowing either in a paid or a voluntary capacity, together with those working in affiliated organisations, has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of children and preventing their abuse. Anyone may have regular contact with children and be a very important link in identifying cases where a child needs protection. The Association advises that coaches of Juniors be ARA qualified and that in any case they fully accept the Sportscoach UK Code of Conduct which is included in all ARA Coaching Course Handbooks.
All policies and procedures discussed below refer to vulnerable adults as well as to children.
1.2 Policy statement
DRC is committed to the following:the welfare of young people is paramount all young people, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity should be able to participate in Rowing in a fun and safe environment taking all reasonable steps to protect young people from harm, discrimination and degrading treatment and to respect their rights, wishes and feelings all suspicions and allegations of poor practice or abuse will be taken seriously, and responded to swiftly and appropriately all ARA employees who work with young people will be recruited with regard to their suitability for that responsibility, and will be provided with guidance and/or training in good practice and child protection procedures that all its member clubs and affiliated organisations will similarly accept responsibility for the welfare of the young people in their care in accordance with the ARA’s policies and procedures, and will incorporate this within their constitutions.
1.3 Terms and abbreviations
The following terms and abbreviations are used in this document.Anyone under the age of 18 is considered to be a child/young person ‘Parent’ is used as a generic term to include parents, carers and guardians ‘Personnel’ includes employees of DRC as well as volunteers and all participants in the sport of Rowing ‘Welfare Officer’ is the individual within an affiliated club whose responsibilities are explained in section 3.4 below DRC: Deal Rowing Club
CPO: Child Protection Officer (of the ARA)
CRB: Criminal Records Bureau
2 Good Practice, Poor Practice and Abuse
2.1 Introduction
To provide young people with the best possible experience and opportunities in Rowing, everyone must operate within an accepted ethical framework (such as the Sportscoach UK Code of Conduct) and demonstrate exemplary behaviour. Not only will this allow Rowing to make a positive contribution to the development of young people and safeguards their welfare, but it also protects all personnel from the risk of false allegations of abuse or poor practice.It is not always easy to distinguish poor practice from abuse, whether intentional or accidental. It is not therefore the responsibility of employees or participants in Rowing to make judgements about whether or not abuse is taking place. It is, however, their responsibility to identify poor practice and possible abuse and to act if they have concerns about the welfare of a child, as explained in section 4. This section will help you identify what is meant by good practice, poor practice and abuse.
2.2 Good practice
All personnel should adhere to the following principles and actions.Before undertaking any activities involving young people, conduct a risk assessment to identify possible sources of danger and take appropriate action to minimise these risks Make the experience of Rowing fun and enjoyable; promote fairness, confront and deal with bullying and do not condone rule violations or the use of prohibited or illegal substances; insist on adherence to the ARA Water Safety Code and its Child Protection procedures Treat all young people equally; this means giving both the more and less talented members of a group similar attention, time, respect and preserving their dignity Respect the developmental stage of each young person and do not risk sacrificing their welfare in a desire for club or personal achievements. This means ensuring that the training intensity is appropriate to the physical, social and emotional stage of the development of the rower – guidance on how much and how often juniors should train is available from the ARA. Training and competition schedules must be suited primarily to the needs and the interests of the child, not those of the parents, coaches or club Build relationships based on mutual trust and respect, in which young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own development and decision-making. Avoid situations where the coach or team manager use their position and power to decide what the rower should or should not do without consideration of the young person’s needs and capabilities Always be publicly open when working with children. Avoid coaching sessions or meetings where a coach and an individual athlete are completely unobserved Where children need to be supervised in the changing rooms, coaches should work in pairs, and involve parents if possible. Maintain an appropriate and open environment, with no secrets. Avoid unnecessary physical contact with young people. Where any form of physical guidance is required in teaching technique, this should be provided openly and with the consent of the athlete. It is important to educate parents of what is and is not acceptable technically in the context of rowing. Physical contact (touching) can be appropriate so long as it is neither intrusive nor disturbing and the athlete’s permission has been given. Maintain a safe and appropriate relationship with athletes. It is inappropriate for coaches and others in positions of authority to have an intimate relationship with a young person, even if they are over 16, the normal age of legal consent. (This could also be a criminal offence ‘abuse of trust’ in certain circumstances defined by the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000) Maintain appropriate standards of behaviour at social events that young people attend Be an excellent role model, for example by not smoking or drinking alcohol while working with young people Communicate regularly with parents and involve them in decision-making. Gain their consent in writing to act in loco parentis to give permission for the administration of emergency first aid or other medical treatment if the need arises Be aware of any medical conditions, existing injuries and medicines being taken. Keep a written record of any injury or accident that occurs, together with details of any treatment given. Arrange that someone with knowledge of first aid is readily available Gain written parental consent for any significant travel arrangements, especially if an overnight stay is involved
2.3 Poor practice
The following are regarded as poor practice and should be avoided by all personnel.Unnecessarily spending excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others Taking children alone in a car on journeys, however short Taking children to your home where they will be alone with you Sharing a room with a child Engaging in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay Allowing or engaging in inappropriate touching of any form Allowing children to use inappropriate language unchallenged Making sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun Reducing a child to tears as a form of control Letting allegations a child makes go unchallenged, unrecorded, or not acted upon Doing things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves Having children stay at your home with you unsupervised Where cases arise where it is impractical to avoid any of the situations mentioned in this section, they should only occur with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge in the organisation and the children’s parents.If during your care of a child you accidentally hurt them, the child seems distressed in any manner, appears to be sexually aroused by your actions, or misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done, report any such incidents as soon as possible to another colleague and make a brief written note of it. Parents should also be informed of the incident.
2.4 Abuse
Abuse in all its forms can affect a child at any age. The effects can be so damaging that if not treated, they may follow an individual into adulthood. For example, an adult who has been abused as a child may find it difficult, or impossible, to maintain a stable, trusting relationship; may become involved with drugs or prostitution; may attempt suicide; or may abuse a child in the future.Children with disabilities may be at increased risk of abuse through various factors such as stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, isolation, and a powerlessness to protect themselves, or adequately to communicate that abuse has occurred. Children from ethnic minorities, who may also be experiencing racial discrimination, may be, or feel, doubly powerless in these respects.Abuse may take a number of forms, and may be classified under the following headings:
NeglectThis is where adults fail to meet a child’s basic needs like food, shelter, warm clothing or medical care, or to protect them from physical harm. Children might also be constantly left alone or unsupervised.Neglect in a sport situation could include a coach not keeping children safe, or exposing them to undue cold, heat or the unnecessary risk of injury. In particular, those in charge of young people must always make sure that they have adequate clothing for the prevailing conditions.
Physical Abuse
This is where someone physically hurts or injures children, for example by hitting, shaking, throwing, squeezing, burning, suffocating and biting or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Giving children alcohol or inappropriate drugs would also constitute physical abuse.
In sports situations, physical abuse might occur when the nature and intensity of training disregard the capacity of the child’s immature and growing body.
Sexual AbuseGirls and boys can be abused by adults or other children, both male and female, who use children to meet their own sexual needs. This could include full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse or fondling. Showing children pornographic material is also a form of sexual abuse.In sport, activities which might involve physical contact with children could potentially create situations where sexual abuse may go unnoticed. Also the power of the coach over young athletes, if misused, may lead to abusive situations developing. Emotional Abuse
Persistent lack of love and affection, where children may be led to believe that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may involve the child being constantly shouted at, threatened or taunted which may make the child very nervous and withdrawn. It may also feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. Emotional abuse also occurs when there is constant overprotection, which prevents children from socialising.Emotional abuse in sport might include situations where children are subjected by a parent or coach to constant criticism, name-calling, sarcasm, bullying, racism or unrealistic pressure in order to perform to high expectations.
Bullying
This may be bullying of a child by an adult or another child. Bullying is defined as deliberate hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period if time, where it is difficult for those bullied to defend themselves. It may be physical (e.g. hitting, kicking, theft), verbal (e.g. racist or homophobic remarks, threats, name-calling, graffiti, abusive text messages transmitted by phone or on the internet), emotional (e.g. tormenting, ridiculing, humiliating, ignoring, isolating from the group), or sexual (e.g. unwanted physical contact or abusive comments).In sport, bullying may arise when a parent pushes a child too hard to succeed, a coach adopts a win-at-all-costs philosophy, or a rival athlete or official uses bullying behaviour.
2.5 Indicators of abuse
Even for those experienced in working with child abuse, it is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has already taken place. The ARA acknowledges that most people involved in Rowing are not experts in such recognition, but indications that a child is being abused may include one or more of the following:Unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns, particularly if situated on a part of the body not normally prone to such injuries An injury for which an explanation seems inconsistent The child describes what appears to be an abusive act involving him/her Someone else – a child or adult, expresses concern about the welfare of a child Unexplained changes in a child’s behaviour – e.g. becoming very quiet, withdrawn, or displaying sudden outbursts of temper - or behaviour changing over time Inappropriate sexual awareness Engaging in sexually explicit behaviour in games Distrust of adults, particularly those with whom a close relationship would normally be expected Difficulty in making friends Being prevented from socialising with other children Displaying variations in eating patterns including overeating or loss of appetite Losing weight for no apparent reason Becoming increasingly dirty or unkempt It must be recognised that the above list is not exhaustive, but also that the presence of one or more of the indicators is not proof that abuse is actually taking place. It is not the responsibility of those working in rowing to decide that child abuse is occurring, but it is their responsibility to act on any concerns.
Signs of bullying may includeBehavioural changes such as reduced concentration or becoming withdrawn, clingy, depressed, tearful, emotionally up and down, reluctant to go to training or to competitions an unexplained drop-off in performance physical signs such as stomach-aches, headaches, difficulty in sleeping, bed-wetting, scratching and bruising, damaged clothes and bingeing on food, cigarettes or alcohol a shortage of money or frequent loss of possessions
3 Recruiting and selecting personnel to work with children
3.1 Introduction
Anyone may have the potential to abuse children in some way and it is important that all reasonable steps are taken to prevent unsuitable people from working with children. This applies equally to volunteers as well as paid staff, and to both part time and full time workers. The procedures set out below are expressed in terms that apply to paid staff, but equivalent procedures should be used in respect of volunteers. The particular circumstances of individual cases need to be taken into account, but the fundamental principle is that those in charge of activities involving young people must take all reasonable steps to satisfy themselves as to the suitability of those who are given access to the children in their care.
3.2 Controlling access to children
Applicants for positions that involve significant access to young people (for example junior coaches or junior co-ordinators) should first complete procedures designed to elicit information about their past career (including any gaps), and to disclose any criminal record or other matter that has a bearing on their suitability to work with children e.g. previous investigations with police or social services or disciplinary investigations in relation to work with children. It should be made clear that failure to disclose relevant information will result in disciplinary action and possible dismissal or exclusion.Consent should be obtained from applicants for checks to be conducted to determine whether any relevant information on them is held by the Criminal Records Bureau. At least two references should be taken up in relation to professional staff, including at least one regarding previous work with children – see Appendix 1. Similar procedures should be applied for volunteers; for example where a coach transfers from one club to another, it would be appropriate to contact the previous club to see whether there is any reason that they should not be given access to young people. All information received in relation to applicants must be kept secure and treated with strict confidentiality.
3.3 Vetting
All personnel who will have significant access to young people must first be vetted to establish whether they have any criminal convictions or other past behaviour that suggests they are unsuitable to work with children. This applies equally to paid staff and volunteers. This is done by obtaining a Disclosure about the individual from the Criminal Records Bureau. The required procedure is explained in Appendix 2.In the past, before the Criminal Records Bureau was established, applicants completed a self-declaration form containing similar information, and giving their consent to have checks made about them with the police and social services. This procedure is no longer available for new applications, but those people who have previously submitted such a form in relation to their existing activities in a particular club need not obtain a Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau for the time being. However, anyone applying for a new position, including those who move to a different club, must now obtain the CRB Disclosure.It is important to emphasise that the absence of any relevant disclosure emerging from this vetting process does not guarantee that the individual is safe to work with children, so it should not be relied on excessively. It is only one of a number of factors in the initial assessment of the person’s suitability for such responsibilities.
3.4 The Welfare Officer within the club
DRC will seek to appoint a Welfare Officer to advise the club committee on compliance with all the procedures described in this booklet and to act as a focal point for reporting any concerns. This person will have the primary responsibility to check that everyone who has significant access to young people within the club is suitable for that role and has been vetted as described above. The person appointed should be identifiable to the junior members of the club and their parents, but should have a degree of independence from their activities – for example he or she should not be the junior co-ordinator or actively coaching juniors. The Welfare Officer should undergo the vetting procedure described at 3.3 above.
3.5 TrainingThe effectiveness of the policies described in this booklet will depend on everyone who is involved with junior rowing being aware of what is good practice and current ARA procedures. This applies particularly to those working directly with young people, such as junior co-ordinators, coaches and Welfare Officers, but an awareness of child protection issues is also needed by others who may be involved more indirectly, such as administrative staff, regatta organisers, committee members or occasional helpers.At present, two training courses on Child Protection are available through the Association and are recommended for those groups identified above.ARA In-House Course (90 minutes), which is available as a stand-alone seminar and is included within the ARA Instructors Award. Coaches wishing to progress to the ARA Bronze Award and those wishing more information can undertake the Sports Coach UK (3 hour) course. This course is a prerequisite for the ARA Bronze Award. The ARA will promote all Child Protection Training via its CDO Club Newsletters and the ARA Website www.ara-rowing.orgFormal training in child protection will help people to:compare their own practice against what is regarded as good practice in Rowing and check that their practice is likely to protect them from false allegationsrecognise their responsibilities and report any concerns about suspected poor practice or abuse deal with the vetting procedures described at 3.3 above work safely and effectively with children.4 Responding to suspicions and allegations
4.1 Introduction
Most cases of child abuse in fact take place within the family setting. However, abuse can and does occur in other situations as well, which may include sport or other social activities, and is rarely a one-off event when it occurs within such a setting. It is crucial that those involved in rowing are aware of this possibility and that all allegations are taken seriously and appropriate action taken.It is not the responsibility of anyone within DRC, whether in a paid or a voluntary capacity, to decide whether or not child abuse is taking place. However, there is a responsibility to inform appropriate agencies of possible abuse so that they can then make inquiries and take any necessary action to protect the child. This applies both to suspicions of abuse occurring within the context of rowing activities and to allegations that abuse is taking place elsewhere. This section explains how you should respond to such concerns.
4.2 Receiving evidence of possible abuse
We may become aware of possible abuse in various ways. We may see it happening ourselves; we may suspect that it is occurring because of signs such as those listed in 2.5 above; it may be reported to us by someone else, or directly by the child affected.In the last of these cases, it is particularly important to respond appropriately. If a child says or indicates that he or she is being abused, or information is obtained which gives you concern that a child is being abused, you should:React calmly so as not to frighten the child Tell the child they are not to blame and that it was right to tell Take what the child says seriously, recognising the difficulties inherent in interpreting what is said by a child who has a speech disability and/or differences in language Keep questions to the absolute minimum necessary so that there is a clear and accurate understanding of what has been said Reassure the child, but do not promise to keep the matter secret – explain that to resolve the problem it will be necessary to inform other people as appropriate.
4.3 Recording informationAs with other forms of information arising in relation to child protection, information of this kind is highly sensitive and confidential. Accordingly, it should be held under secure conditions and only made available to those who have a definite need for it.You should make a note as soon as possible of whatever information you obtain, both for your own future reference and possibly for passing on to others, such as the ARA’s Child Protection Officer or appropriate agencies such as the social services department or the police. In writing such a note, you should confine yourself to the facts, and distinguish between what is your own personal knowledge and what you have been told by other people. You should not include your own opinions on the matter, to avoid the possibility of libel. Information should include the following:The nature of the allegation, in as much detail as possible, including times, dates, locations and other relevant information Details of the child involved, including name, age, address and other contact details, and identifying who has parental responsibility for the child Details of the person against whom the allegation is made, including name, relationship with the child, age and contact details (if known) The identity and contact details of any informants or other witnesses The child’s account, if he or she can give one, of what has happened A description of any visible bruising or other injuries Details of who else has been informed of the alleged incident Any other relevant information An example of an incident report for recording such information is set out in Appendix 3.
4.4 Reporting the concern
DRC expects its members to discuss any concern they may have about the welfare of a child immediately with the person in charge, and subsequently to check that appropriate action has been taken. The particular route you might follow in various circumstances is suggested below. Working within DRC
If you are working within DRC, you should inform the Welfare Officer or the person in charge of the club.
Working with or in schools
If you are working with schoolchildren as part of the school curriculum or extra-curricular activities you should inform the Head Teacher of the school or his nominee. Working with athletes away from home
If you are working with athletes away from home (for example on training camps or at regattas), then you should inform the Head Coach or Team Manager.
Circumstances in which other people might then need to be informed are discussed below: Parents or carers
There is always a commitment to work in partnership with parents or carers where there are concerns about their children. Therefore, in most situations, it would be important to talk to parents or carers to help clarify any initial concerns. For example, if a child seems withdrawn, they may have experienced a bereavement in the family. However, there are circumstances in which a child might be placed at even greater risk were such concerns to be shared, e.g. where a parent or carer may be responsible for the abuse or not able to respond to the situation appropriately. In these situations, or where concerns still exist, any suspicion, allegation, or incident of abuse must be reported to appropriate agencies as soon as possible.
The NSPCC or other agencies
The first consideration at this point is to minimise the danger of further abuse to the child or to other children. The person in charge should seek advice from the local police or social services department or the NSPCC. (You can obtain advice by telephoning the NSPCC freephone Helpline – the number is 0808 800 5000 and is a 24 hour service. You do not have to give your name but it is helpful if you can.) The allegation should be referred to the police and social services department in any case involving physical or sexual abuse or where the child’s safety is otherwise at risk. If the person in charge is not available, or the concern is about the person in charge, the person in receipt of the information or with the concern should contact these agencies direct. Reporting the matter to the police or social services department should not be delayed by attempts to obtain more information. Social Services
The social services department has a statutory duty under the Children Act 1989 for the welfare of a child. When a child protection referral is made its staff have a legal responsibility to investigate. This may involve talking to the child and family and gathering information from other people who know the child. The telephone number is in the local phone book. Wherever possible, referrals telephoned to the social services department should be confirmed in writing within 24 hours. A record should also be made of the name and designation of the social services member of staff to whom the concerns were passed, together with the time and date of the call, in case any follow-up is needed.
Police
Where the apparent abuse is of a criminal nature, it will be appropriate to inform the police. A record should be made of the crime reference number provided by the police, together with the time and date of the call, in case any follow-up is needed. The police and social services department may also carry out a joint enquiry. The ARA
The person in charge may be unsure about whether the allegation constitutes abuse or not, and unclear about what action to take. There may be circumstances where allegations are about poor practice (which need not be referred to the social services or police) rather than abuse, but those responsible should consult with the Child Protection Officer (CPO) of the ARA who will gain further advice where there is any doubt. Notifying the CPO is also important because this matter may be just one of a series of other instances which together cause concern.
4.5 Disciplinary procedures
The discovery that a member of staff or volunteer may be abusing a child will raise feelings and concerns among other staff or volunteers, and it can be inherently difficult to report such matters. However, it is important that any concerns for the welfare of the child arising from abuse or harassment by a member of staff or volunteer should be reported immediately. DRC assures all members and volunteers that it will fully support and protect anyone who, in good faith, reports his or her concern that a colleague is or may be abusing a child.As indicated above an allegation of abuse may give rise to a child protection investigation by the social services department and/or a criminal investigation involving the police. In addition, if the abuse is alleged to have been committed in the course of a person’s employment, he or she will be subject to whatever disciplinary procedures and sanctions are provided for within the employment contract.However, for both volunteers and paid staff, if the abuse is alleged to have occurred within the context of rowing, it may also require disciplinary action by the club and/or the ARA. The Welfare Officer or other person in charge of the club should therefore inform the ARA’s Child Protection Officer of the circumstances. This may be done by letter to ARA headquarters; alternatively, the ARA’s Child Protection Officer may be contacted by telephone through the ARA’s National Manager.The ARA CPO, in consultation with the officers of the Association, will make a decision as to whether any immediate action is required.If the matter is being investigated by the police and/or social services, the ARA may decide to await the outcome of these investigations, which may well influence a disciplinary investigation, although not necessarily so. In appropriate cases, the club and/or the Association will suspend the individual concerned while an investigation is taking place. This is not intended to prejudge the outcome of the investigation, but simply to remove the individual from contact with children until the investigation is concluded. Irrespective of the findings of the social services or police inquiries, the Association will assess all individual cases under the appropriate misconduct/disciplinary procedure.
The disciplinary sanctions available include the following:By the club – Suspension or exclusion from membership of the individual concerned, and such other sanctions are provided for within the club’s constitutionBy the ARA – Suspension or withdrawal of the individual’s status as a registered member of the ARA, or his or her accreditation as a coach or an umpire, together with reprimands and fines as provided for within the Association’s Rules
In addition the ARA may impose disciplinary sanctions against clubs who fail to apply these Child Protection Procedures, particularly if such failures are serious or persistent. Disciplinary, grievance and appeals procedures will be conducted in accordance with the Association’s Rules. Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality for all concerned, and consideration will be given to what support may be appropriate to children, parents, members of staff and volunteers.If, following discussion between the ARA’s CPO and relevant club officials, it is clear that the allegation is about poor practice rather than abuse, then it will dealt with as a misconduct issue, either by the club’s disciplinary procedures or by the ARA.Where any matter has been handled by the club but nevertheless concerns remain, then this should be referred to the CPO of the ARA. Senior officers of the Association will need to decide how this will be dealt with and whether or not to initiate disciplinary proceedings. 4.6 Allegations of previous abuse
Allegations of abuse are sometimes made some time after the event, for example, by an adult who was abused as a child by a member of staff who is still working with children. Where such an allegation is made, you should follow the procedures given above and have the matter reported to the police and/or social services department. This is because other children, either within the sport or outside it, may be at risk from this person. Anyone who has a previous criminal conviction for offences related to abuse is automatically excluded from working with children.5 Implementation and monitoring procedures
The Association has established a Child Protection Group to oversee the implementation of these procedures and to monitor their application in practice. It is this Group’s responsibility to check that the procedures continue to reflect the current recommendations of external agencies that specialise in child protection and are disseminated and applied by the Association’s members.The Group has designed a checklist for clubs and other organisations to monitor their own compliance with the requirements set out in this booklet; this is contained in Appendix 4. From time to time, checks will be conducted to verify the results of this self-monitoring procedure.The Group will make an annual report to the Association’s Executive Committee, through the Deputy Chairman – Corporate Governance, on the progress of its activities in implementing and monitoring these procedures, and on the incidence and outcome of cases that have arisen in the year. AppendicesIf required these can be obtained either from the secretary of DRC or the ARA.
