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The F.A. Child Protection
Procedures and Practices Handbook place a clear responsibility on clubs to
ensure that they safeguard and promote the welfare of all children.
The purpose of this
policy is to inform all officials/parents about these responsibilities and to
enable everyone to have a clear understanding of how they are to be carried
out.
Our club follows the
procedures contained in the F.A. Child Protection Procedures and Practices
Handbook - a guide to procedure and practice for all F.A. Managers/Coaches. This
club acknowledges that Managers/Coaches are particularly well placed to notice
outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour or failure to develop. We recognise
the important role we have in early recognition of the signs and symptoms of
abuse or neglect and appropriate referral procedures.
Child Protection
Responsibilities accepted by Tiverton Town Youth Development
Kate Bradley has been appointed as the CPR Officer.
Our club has adopted
clear and sound policies on confidentiality and will maintain all written
evidence about child protection issues in a secure place. It will provide
accurate information to the F.A. and Devon County Social Services, where
appropriate, normally through the CPR officer. The club will provide training
and refresher meetings for club Officials.
Key responsibilities
of the CPR Officer:
Ensure that the F.A.'s Child protection procedures are followed within
the club
Ensure all Officers/managers/coaches/parents are aware of the
procedures.
Ensure the appropriate training and support is provided.
Decide whether to take further action about particular concerns.
Report to the F.A./Social Services/police when necessary.
CLUB PROCEDURES.
Any adult member of the club could be approached by a child needing help or
guidance. Likewise any Manager/Coach may be in a position to notice or be
concerned about physical/sexual abuse or neglect. If any Member is concerned
about a child they must inform the CPR Officer, unless the CPR Officer is the
cause for that concern. In which case they must inform the club Chairman, and in
the unlikely circumstance that the Chairman is not available, then please
contact the club Secretary.
Information regarding the
concerns must be recorded by the CPR Officer or other on the same day. The
record must be a clear, precise, factual account of the observations and must be
signed and dated. The CPR Officer will decide whether the matter should be
referred to the F.A./Devon County Social Services or if necessary the Police.
Concerns will not be discussed with the parents before the CPR Officer has
consulted with the authorities.
When To Be Concerned
Officers/Managers/Coaches should report if any of the following are observed.
Injury not typical of those associated with children’s activities.
Regular occurrence of unexplained injuries.
Confused or conflicting explanations of how injuries were sustained.
Significant changes of attitude or behaviour.
Sexual behaviour which is unusually explicit or inappropriate to the
child’s age.
A recount of an experience by a child in which they have been
significantly harmed.
Dealing with a disclosure
Do not promise confidentiality.
Explain who you will have to tell, and why.
Listen to what is being said, without displaying shock or disbelief.
Accept what is being said.
Allow the child to talk freely, limit any questions to a minimum.
Seek only to clarify and strictly avoid leading the child or adult who
has made the approach by making suggestions, or introducing your own ideas on
what may have happened.
Never ask questions such as "Did he/she do xxxx to you?" Instead use
a minimum number of questions of the "Tell me what happened" type.
If it is an adult making the approach and it becomes obvious that they
are making a significant allegation concerning either abuse or neglect, you may
feel it appropriate to stop them, and refer to the CPR Officer (unless he/she is
the subject of the allegation) to avoid repetition of the details.
Be especially careful to distinguish between fact and opinion.
Note also any non-verbal behaviour.
Reassure the child, but do not make any promises, that you cannot keep.
Assure the child, that what has happened is not their fault.
Stress that the child has done the right thing, by telling you.
Do not enter the child’s account by condemning or criticising the
perpetrator.
BY
FOLLOWING CORRECT PROCEDURES YOU ARE PROTECTING YOURSELF AND THE CLUB.
IF ANY MEMBER OF THE CLUB
AT ANY STAGE HAS CONCERNS FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY, ESPECIALLY OWING TO HAVING MADE
A REFERRAL, THEY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY INVOLVE THE CPR OFFICER WHO WILL PROMPTLY
INVOLVE THE F.A., DEVON COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE POLICE IF NESSESARY.
THE FOOTBALL
ASSOCIATION - NSPCC PROTECTION HELPLINE NUMBER IS FREEPHONE 0808 800 5000
This Helpline is open 24 hrs a day, every day (including Xmas and bank
holidays).
FOR DEAF USERS : TEXTPHONE 0800056 0566
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