Child Protection Policy (Adapted from ECB Guidance)
1. PRINCIPLES
The following are the principles upon which the Club’s Child Protection Policy is based:
the Club aims to provide the highest standards of coaching and cricket facilities for its Colts section;
the Club acknowledges that an environment of care, patience, understanding and encouragement is the most effective way to deal with young cricketers;
the Club has a firm commitment to the health, safety and welfare of the colts;
the Club is committed to protect all colts from any form of abuse and discrimination.
2. WHAT IS ABUSE?
Child abuse is the term used to describe ways in which children are harmed, the following being the main forms of abuse:
Physical abuse
This occurs when striking, hitting, shaking, squeezing, biting, burning or exerting excessive force on a child.
Sexual abuse
This occurs when adults seek their own sexual gratification from youngsters.
Neglect
This arises when an adult fails to meet or supervise the basic needs of a child, with regard to food, warmth, hygiene, clothing and medical care.
Emotional abuse
This occurs where a child is threatened, taunted, shouted at or berated, or where effort or progress is ignored.
In addition, it is acknowledged that as well as abuse by adults, children can abuse other children, for example by bullying and name-calling.
3. RECOGNISING AND REPORTING OF ABUSE
Colts coaches, team managers and authorised helpers are responsible for protecting children in their charge from all forms of abuse and discrimination and to ensure that they receive equal treatment, regardless of age, sex, race, culture, religion, language or ability.
The coaches, etc, therefore, need to be aware of the different types of abuse, how to recognise it and what steps to take to prevent it.
The coaches, etc are not responsible for determining whether or not abuse has taken place, but if they have any suspicion of this, they are responsible for alerting the appropriate agencies so that they can make enquiries and take the necessary action. Reporting of such matters should never be delayed.
4. SUPPORT FROM THE CLUB
Any coach, team manager or other person who reports suspected abuse will be supported fully by the Club’s General Committee.
It is expected that the report will be made to the authorities on a confidential basis, but that the Colts Manager, or Director of Cricket, or Chairman will be advised accordingly.
In all cases, the Club’s Child Welfare Officer will be consulted and he/she will act appropriately.
Should it be proven subsequently that abuse had occurred; the Club will deal severely with any perpetrator through the law.
5. CHILD PROTECTION ACTION
The Club has developed the following child protection procedures in place:
Good practice guidelines for coaches, team managers and authorised helpers;
Indicators for the recognition of abuse;
Details of the local agencies for the reporting of abuse;
Declaration forms, to be signed by all coaches, team managers and authorised helpers, regarding previous criminal history.
The Colts Managers will ensure that the names of all coaches, team managers and authorised helpers are notified to the Welfare Officer who will issue them with this policy document, the good practice guidelines and the local contact list. The Welfare Officer is also responsible for ensuring that each one of them signs the declaration form.
