WELSH HOCKEY UNION

CHILD

PROTECTION

PROCEDURES

Produced in conjunction with

scUK (formerly National Coaching Foundation) & the Sports Council for Wales

August 2000

FOREWORD

It is widely accepted that it is the responsibility of every adult to protect children from harm.

These procedures relate to children under the age of 18 and any person of any age considered to be vulnerable.

Abuse can occur within many situations including the home, school and the sporting environment. Everyone working in sport - in a paid or voluntary capacity, together with those working in affiliated organisations i.e. clubs and/or schools - has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of children.

A coach, instructor, teacher or volunteer may have regular contact with children and be an important link in identifying cases where a child needs protection. When establishing guidelines to protect children, it is important to recognise that an organisation with responsibility for children has both a moral and possibly a legal obligation to ensure it provides the highest possible standard of care.

It is the policy of the Welsh Hockey Union (WHU) to safeguard the welfare of all children by protecting them from all types of abuse or harm.

The WHU will strive to: -

v     Promote the general welfare, health and full development of children and protect them from harm of all kinds

v     Recognise that children have rights as individuals and treat them with dignity and respect

v     Raise awareness about what children are entitled to be protected from

v     Adopt and consistently apply a thorough and clearly defined method of recruiting and selecting staff and

volunteers

v     Plan the work of the organisation so as to minimise opportunities for children to suffer harm

v     Develop effective procedures in responding to accidents and complaints and to alleged or suspected

incidents of abuse

v     Establish links with parents and other relevant organisations

v     Ensure confidentiality will be respected and maintained

The WHU recognise that the number of people involved with children within the Governing Body structure includes - coaches, managers, physiotherapists, leaders, umpires and officials, administrators etc. For ease of reading, the term “coach” will be used throughout the document but these guidelines will apply to all WHU positions listed, paid or voluntary.        

1        Principles

The child's welfare is paramount

All children or vulnerable adult, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from harm.

All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately, and, if warranted, disciplinary / grievance procedures will be instigated.

2        Recognition of abuse

Even for those experienced in working with child abuse, it is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has already taken place.

It is acknowledged that WHU coaches - whether in a paid or voluntary capacity - are not experts at such recognition. Therefore the WHU encourages and expects the coach to discuss any concern they may have about the welfare of a child immediately with the person in charge. This might be the Team Manager, Head Coach, Technical Development Officer, Regional Development Officer, Local Authority Sports Development Officer.

It is the responsibility of these people to ensure that appropriate advice is obtained (See section 5).

No one should, under any circumstances, seek to question or discuss the issues with the child involved.

3        Main forms of abuse

The power of the coach over young performers, if misused, may lead to abusive situations developing.

There are four main forms of abuse:

v     Neglect - a coach not ensuring children are safe, exposing them to undue cold or to unnecessary risk of injury.

v     Physical injury - a coach physically hurts or injures a child in any way. When the nature and intensity of the training exceeds the capacity of the child's immature and growing body.

v     Sexual abuse - physical contact with children that could potentially create situations where sexual abuse may go unnoticed.

v     Emotional harm - children subjected to constant criticism, bullying or unrealistic pressure to perform to high expectations consistently.

4        Responding to the child

If a child says or indicates that he or she is being abused, or information is obtained which gives concern that a child is being abused, the person receiving this information should:

v     take what the child says seriously

v     under no circumstances question or interrogate the child

v     if feasible,  immediately, ask the child to repeat the information they have disclosed in the presence of another adult

v     reassure the child but do not make promises of confidentiality which might not be feasible in the light of subsequent developments

v     make a full written record of what had been said, heard and/or seen as soon as possible

5        Responding to suspicions or allegations

It is not the responsibility of anyone working under the auspices of the WHU in a paid or voluntary capacity, or those working in affiliated organisations to take responsibility, investigate or to decide whether or not child abuse is taking place.

However there is a responsibility to protect children in order that appropriate agencies can then make enquiries and take any necessary action to protect the child. Appendix A offers a recommended route for referral and Appendix B appropriate contact numbers.

6        Promoting good practice

It is important to establish, publicise and maintain standards of sound ethical behaviour.

The WHU has adopted as its code of practice the "Code of Ethics and Conduct for Sports Coaches" - National Coaching Foundation.

All qualified coaches within the WHU assent to this code.

7        Appointments

Application forms for appointments to the WHU will include questions re criminal convictions. The WHU retain the right to refuse admission to their membership to any person they may consider as not being suitable.

APPENDIX A : A QUICK GUIDE

APPENDIX B: CONTACT NUMBERS