Child protection policy

Good Practice In The Club

The________________________________Club aims to create an enjoyable environment for all Juniors who wish to take part in the Martial Arts other sports and social activities at the club.
The Club emphasises that young people have a right to be safe, secure and free from threat.
The Club acknowledges that young people have a right to be treated with respect and their concerns to be listened to and acted upon.
The Club will ensure that Junior members have a specific programme and facilities designated for them with adequate supervision.
The Club will ensure that the Coaches/Instructors are aware of this Child Protection Policy and that there will be further developments in the future E.G. Attendance at courses on Child Protection and the need for appropriate vetting. All Coaches/Instructors and others responsible for young people will sign the Clubs self declaration form in relation to Child Abuse.
The Club will ensure that any Club members and volunteers working with young people are aware of and apply the principles of this Child Protection Policy at all time and have signed the Club Self declaration form in respect of Child Protection.
The Club has an adult member who is specifically responsible for young people.
The Club has procedures in place to help any young person who requests help and support on a confidential basis, in issues relating to Child Protection.

Child Protection Policy Statement

Those working in the Club will:

Be professional and maintain the highest standards of personal behaviour at all times.
Be aware of situations, which can be misconstrued or manipulated by others, for example if the Coach, Instructor,or Official is alone with a child in the Clubhouse, changing rooms or other similar places, they are open to the possibility of allegations about their behaviour.
Be vigilant and aware of, how actions can be misinterpreted.
Not appear to show more interest in one child than another.
Be very aware that physical handling, perhaps to develop understanding of a particular technique can be miscontrued by an observer or even the student.
Never swear, use or respond to sexual innuendo.
Design and use training methods which are wholly appropriate for all members but when necessary individual members.
Ensure that, as far as possible they are not alone when working with young students on an individual basis, if this is unavoidable then the parents should be made aware of the situation for the sake of the Coach-Instructor or Official. This also means that the children should not be alone in cars or homes with a Coach-Instructor or official on a regular basis. The presence of others is an insurance against false accusations.
Conduct all dealings with children in an open environment in full view of others, in order that all behaviour can be observed.
On tours-trips away from home, ensure that another adult is always present when working with children. For example, two adults should always be present if a child’s room is visited and the door should be left open during the visit.
Report any concerns within the area of Child Protection (physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect), in confidence and without delay to the designated Child Protection Officer or a responsible person who can give advice and recommend any necessary action.
Not at any time, discuss an allegation or suspicion with another person, other than the police, before the designated Child Protection Officer or other responsible person has been contacted.
When reporting an allegation or suspicion, record information, including relevant details (this includes the nature of the allegation, backround information of the parties involved, the period of time to which the allegation relates and the degree to which the information is known to be fact rather than opinion or hearsay).
At no time make any comment to the media. The Clubs Child Protection Officer should be made aware of any media interest in relation to Child Protection.
In the event of an allegation or improper behaviour being made, understand that the personal and professional behaviour of the adult will be important evidence. For child abuse to take place, in particular sexual abuse, the child or adult(s) will generally be alone or away from public view. Thus the best defence is to avoid all situations in which behaviour can not be observed.

Designated Child Protection Officer

The designated Child Protection Officer has full discretion on matters which may be brought to his or her attention, he or she will act with total confidentiality on issues which are extremely sensitive to the persons involved.

Be available for any member, parent or others which are in attendance at the Club who may have concern for the well being of a Junior member.

The Child Protection Officer is responsible for the protection of the young members of the Club and will open to easy contact by any person, who may have reasonable suspicion that abuse is taking place.

Please speak with him or her if you suspect a young member is at risk of any form of abuse while taking part in the Club activities or using Club facilities.

He or she will implement appropriate vetting procedures as and when they are required for all adults, parents and members who are involved in Club activities, such as Coaches-Instructors and Club supporters who may be involved in taking children to and from Club visits and competitions ect.

Two references will be required from persons wishing to become Coaches-Instructors or helpers, such references will be taken up by the Child Protection Officer. So please inform your Referee’s that they will be contacted.

The Child Protection Officer will liase with the Chair person of the Club’s committee as and when any outcome of enquiry warrants formal procedures being taken.

Please note that the parent body of the Club The Bushido Zazen International Society has a disciplinary procedure in its constitution which gives the Society Sensei and Officers Executive Committee, the power to suspend, exclude, expel members who engage in unbecoming behaviour and this procedure is available to all affiliated Clubs should it become necessary.