Youth welfare policy

POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club (MMKAC) to safeguard the welfare of all children participating in the activities of the club by protecting them from neglect and physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

KEY PRINCIPLES

  1. Anyone under the age of 18 is considered a child for the purpose of this document
  2. The child’s welfare is paramount
  3. All children, regardless of age, ability, gender, culture, language, racial origin or religious belief and/or sexual identity, have the right to protection from abuse
  4. All allegations and suspicions of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
  5. Working in partnership with children and their parents/carers is essential for the protection of the child
  6. MMKAC have recognised the statutory responsibilities of Social Services to ensure the welfare of children and it is committed to working with Local Area Child Protection Committees and to comply with their procedures

DEFINITIONS

The term abuse is used to describe ways in which, through the misuse of power by adults or peers, children may be harmed.

Neglect; e.g. Failure to meet a child’s basic needs (e.g. food, clothes).  Constantly leaving a child alone and unsupervised.  Failure to be aware of, or ignore, an injury and failure to arrange for it’s treatment.

Physical Abuse;  e.g. When adults physically hurt or injure a child, give them alcohol, inappropriate drugs or other substances.

Sexual Abuse;  e.g. Abuse by males and/or females to gratify their own sexual desires.  In sport this may be the result of coaches or older performers involving young performers in any form of sexual activity (e.g. sexual language, touching or relationships).

Emotional Abuse;  e.g. Persistent lack of affection.  Constant over-protection.  Constant verbal abuse.  Criticism, bullying by coaches, parents or peers.  Coaches failing to respond to the child’s efforts and/or progress.

ROLES

  1. To appoint at least one Welfare Officer
  2. To accept that ALL officers, committee, helpers and coaches have responsibilities in this area and be prepared to respond to any indication of abuse.
  3. To ensure that all staff and volunteers operating within the club environment hold the appropriate qualifications and have undertaken the appropriate checks e.g. DBS, licences, qualifications such as massage, sports nutrition, etc.
  4. To supplement this Policy with guidance and procedures, e.g. code of conducts as set by England Athletics.
  5. To be ready to amend bad practice.
  6. To implement any recommendations of our Home Country Governing body and UK Athletics relating to this area.
  7. To maintain CONFIDENTIALITY of the child and the accused

ROLE OF THE WELFARE OFFICER 

  1. To ensure all MMKAC helpers, officials and coaches who are to be employed in a ‘childcare’ position are vetted via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), have completed Safeguarding training and complete a MMKAC membership application.
  2. To receive and advise of reports from other MMKAC members
  3. To keep records of such reports
  4. To initiate action, ensuring all appropriate persons have been contacted
  5. To attend training courses
  6. To organise and issue briefing material on child protection policy and procedure to MMKAC members, coaches ad helpers
  7. To report to the  Committee on a regular basis
  8. To obtain reports and comments from official, coaches and helpers on the ease of implementation of the policy

ROLE OF THE MMKAC OFFICIALS, COACHES AND HELPERS

  1. Abide by the MMKAC Child Protection Policy and Welfare codes of conduct at all times
  2. To read any briefing materials supplied by the Welfare Officer and attend briefing sessions when asked to do so
  3. If an athlete wishes to talk about someone’s behaviours they find disturbing, listen carefully and make a note of what was said as soon as possible after the event
  4. Report concerns to the Welfare officer
  5. Maintain confidentiality – both of the child and the accused.  Only share information on a need to know basis and if it will help the athlete
  6. Always put the welfare of the athlete first
  7. Treat all athletes equally and with respect and dignity regardless of age and/or disability

MONITORING OF THE POLICY

It will be the responsibility of the MMKAC Executive Committee to monitor the policy by;

  1. Receiving regular reports of cases brought and their outcome from the Club Welfare Officer
  2. Receiving details of comments from officials, coaches and helpers on a regular basis about the ease of implementation and the effect of the policy.  These shall be obtained by the Club Welfare officer and reported to the Executive committee at each committee meeting
  3. Revising the policy as and when necessary