CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Protecting children from abuse is a responsibility of all those who come into contact with them.

Salle Paul Fencing Club is fully committed to safeguarding the well-being of its members. Every individual in the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the rights, safety and welfare of others, and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the club’s Code of Conduct and British Fencing’s Pledge of Honour.

Salle Paul Fencing Club is committed to practices which protect children from harm. This policy will help staff, officials, coaches, volunteers, members, parents, children and young people involved in fencing to understand and follow correct and respectful practice.

1. POLICY STATEMENT

  1. Salle Paul is committed to ensuring that the safety, welfare and well-being of children are maintained at all times during their participation in activities run by Salle Paul.

  2. Salle Paul aims to promote a safe environment for all children and to assist all staff, officials, coaches, members and volunteers to recognise child abuse and neglect and follow the appropriate notification procedures when reporting alleged abuse.

  3. Salle Paul aims to protect all those involved in the game from verbal or physical abuse and other forms of threatening or intimidating behaviour such as bullying, and to act where necessary to address any evidence of such behaviour.

  4. Rationale - The focus of the policy and guidelines is the prevention of child abuse and poor practice in the sporting environment.

This policy and guidelines will assist Salle Paul in establishing co-ordinated strategies for dealing with any problems of child abuse and neglect in a responsible, effective and consistent manner.

2. OBJECTIVES


Through the development of this policy Salle Paul’s objectives are to:

  1. Adopt child protection guidelines through a code of conduct for all staff/volunteers

  2. Provide information to assist staff and volunteers in recognising and responding to all forms of child abuse

  3. Provide direction to all staff and volunteers regarding their legal responsibilities under child protection legislation

  4. Follow correct procedures for recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers

3. SCOPE OF POLICY


The Child Protection Policy of Salle Paul is applicable to all management and staff (paid, voluntary, permanent or casual).

4. IMPLEMENTATION OF LEGISLATION


In order to implement the child protection policy Salle Paul will undertake to:

  1. Implement strategies and procedures that focus on the best interests of children and meet the requirements of child protection legislation.

  2. Promote a safe and supportive environment for all children and young people participating in activities which come under our umbrella.

  3. Increase awareness and emphasise the importance of child protection issues in a sporting environment to all those involved with the activities of Salle Paul. This includes administrators, coaches, officials, fencers, parents and their children.

  4. Ensure that all staff/volunteers of Salle Paul are aware of their responsibilities arising from
    this policy.

5. EXPECTATIONS


Salle Paul Fencing Club expects that all administrators, coaches and officials whether paid or unpaid, who participate in organised sport under the banner of this club will commit to the above.

6. POLICY REVIEW


Salle Paul Fencing Club Child Protection and Intervention Policy and Guidelines will be reviewed and updated in line with any legislative changes that have significant impact on the manner in which child protection and intervention issues are to be dealt with.

7. Child Protection Practices


Salle Paul is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for children and young people to practice fencing.

We do this by:

  1. Recognising that all children have the right to freedom from abuse.

    • Ensuring that all our staff and volunteers are carefully selected and accept responsibility for helping to prevent the abuse of children in their care.

    • All staff and volunteers working at Salle Paul are subject to a Barring & Disclosure/Criminal Records Bureau check through British Fencing before working with children. All coaches and club officials are also required to attend regular Safeguarding training, updated every three years.

    • All fencers, coaches, club officials, parents and carers are required to follow Salle Paul’s codes of conduct

    • Responding swiftly and appropriately to all suspicions or allegations of abuse, and providing parents and children with the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have.

    • Appointing a Welfare Officer who will take specific responsibility for child safety and act as the main point of contact for parents, children and outside agencies.

    • Ensuring access to confidential information is restricted to the Welfare Officer or the appropriate external authorities.

    • Reviewing the effectiveness of our Child Protection Policy and activities.

Lead Welfare Officer: Tara Sood

Welfare Officers: Jon Willis, Pete Eames, Anthony Conyard & Sam Boyle