Kilmarnock Cricket Club Child Protection Policy

Responsibilities

Kilmarnock Cricket Club will:

• Promote the health and welfare of children by providing opportunities for them to take part in cricket safely.
• Respect the rights, wishes and feelings of children.
• Promote and implement appropriate procedures to safeguard the well-being of children and protect them from abuse.
• Support and where necessary train and supervise its members to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect children from abuse and to minimise risk to themselves.
• Ensure, as far as possible, that all members are aware of this policy and require them to abide by it.
• Respond to any allegations of misconduct or abuse of children in line with this Policy and the accompanying Procedures as well as implementing, where appropriate, the relevant disciplinary and appeals procedures.
• Review and evaluate the Policy and Procedures on a regular basis.

Principles

The welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility, particularly when it comes to protecting them from abuse. Children have a lot to gain from sport. Their natural sense of fun and spontaneity can blossom in a positive environment created by sports organisations. It provides an excellent opportunity for them to learn new skills, become more confident and maximise their own unique potential. This Policy and the accompanying Procedures are based on the following principles:

• The welfare of children is the primary concern.
• All children have the right to protection from abuse.
• KCC is a sports club and has no statutory remit or role in investigating child abuse; it does, however, have a responsibility to refer to the appropriate agencies concerns that may arise in relation to the welfare/safety of a child, in order that these concerns can be assessed and where necessary addressed by the appropriate agency.
• KCC will ensure as far as possible that all parts of its coaching and supervision are delivered in a manner which protects children and that concern over a child’s welfare/safety, including possible abuse, is managed in a manner which reflects and supports the relevant Cricket Scotland policy and procedures.

Children and their parents/guardians have responsibilities too. These include maintaining acceptable standards of behaviour and acting in accordance with the coach/supervisor’s instructions to ensure safe and enjoyable participation. Parents should ensure that satisfactory arrangements are made to uplift children promptly after each session or game.

All incidents of alleged poor practice, misconduct and abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

Review

The Policy and Procedures will be regularly monitored and reviewed:

• In accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection of children or any relevant changes within Kilmarnock Cricket Club.
• Following any issues or concerns raised about the protection of children within Kilmarnock Cricket Club.
• In all other circumstances, at least annually.

Kilmarnock Cricket Club Child Protection Procedures

1. Recruitment and Employment (if applicable)

All reasonable steps must be taken to ensure unsuitable people are prevented from working with children.

All people in positions that require regular contact with children will complete a self declaration form and consent to disclosure checks with the appropriate body or bodies being made by or on behalf of the Club.

The responsibilities of the role will be explained at outset, as well as any experience or qualifications required. Where necessary, training will be provided.

Details of the Club’s Child Protection Policy and Procedures will be provided and the applicant will be required to agree to and adhere to these.

References and/or interviews may be required if deemed appropriate by the Club’s Child Protection Officer or Committee.

Newly appointed volunteers to positions involving regular and/or unsupervised contact with children will require to complete an appropriate child protection course as soon as practicable and will not be permitted to work unsupervised with children until then.

2. Members with Specific Responsibility for the Protection of Children

Child Protection Officer

The Child Protection Officer (CPO) has the main responsibility for managing child protection issues within Kilmarnock Cricket Club. The role and responsibilities of the CPO are detailed below. The CPO will be supported as required by the Junior Cricket coach and volunteer team.

Within Kilmarnock Cricket Club, the CPO will:

• Implement and promote the Club’s Child Protection Policy and Procedures.
• Regularly report to the Junior Cricket Convener and Management Committee.
• Act as the main contact within the Club for the protection of children.
• Encourage good practice and support of procedures to protect children.
• Keep abreast of developments that impact on the protection of children by communication with the relevant personnel in the governing body.
• In the unlikely event of reported cases, maintain confidential records of these and action taken and liaise with the statutory agencies if deemed necessary and ensure they have access to all necessary information.
• Report cases, concerns and action taken to the relevant personnel in the governing body.
• Attend training on the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
• Be aware of the appropriate contacts within local statutory agencies including the Police and Social Work Department.
• Monitor and review the Child Protection Policy and Procedures for the Club.

3. Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children

This code of conduct details the types of practice required by all members of the Club when in contact with children. The types of practice are categorised into good practice; practice to be avoided and practice never to be sanctioned. Suspicions or allegations of non-compliance of the Code by a member will be dealt with through the Club’s disciplinary procedure for misconduct or through Responding to Disclosures/Allegations (Section 7 below).

Good Practice

When working with children :

• Make sport fun, enjoyable and promote fair play.
• Always work in an open environment e.g. avoid private or unobserved situations and encourage an open environment for activities.
• Treat all children equally, with respect and dignity.
• Put the welfare of each child first before winning or achieving performance goals.
• Provide an excellent role model.
• Give enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
• Ensure that if any form of manual or physical support is required for a child , it is provided openly, the child is informed of what is being done and their consent is obtained.
• Deliver educational instruction first verbally; secondly role-modelled; and thirdly, and only if necessary, with hands on - which must be accompanied by telling the child or vulnerable adult where you are putting your hands and why it is necessary and obtaining their consent.
• Involve parents, guardians and carers wherever possible.
• Build balanced relationships based on mutual trust that empower children to share in the decision-making process.
• Recognise the developmental needs and capacity of children and avoid excessive training or competition and either pushing them against their will or putting undue pressure on them.

First Aid and Treatment of Injuries:

If, in your capacity as a member of Kilmarnock Cricket Club a child requires first aid or any form of medical attention whilst in your care, then the following good practice must be followed:

• Where practicable all parents/guardians of children under 16 must complete a Medical Consent Form before participating in cricket.
• Where possible, be aware of any pre-existing medical conditions, medicines being taken by participants or existing injuries and treatment required.
• Keep a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.
• Where possible, ensure access to medical advice and/or assistance is available.
• Only those with a current, recognised First Aid qualification should respond to any injuries.
• Where possible any course of action should be discussed with the child, in language that they understand and their permission sought before any action is taken.
• In more serious cases, assistance must be obtained from a medically qualified professional as soon as possible.
• The child’s parents/guardians or carers must be informed of any injury and any action taken as soon as possible, unless it is in the child’s interests and on professional advice not to do so.
• A Notification of Accident Form must be completed and signed and passed to the organisation as soon as possible.

For taking and transporting children away from home:

It is recognised that children will require to be transported to away matches as part of both junior and senior cricket teams. The following good practice must be followed:

• Where practicable request written parental/guardian consent. This can be done as part of an ‘umbrella’ consent form prior to the season.
• Ensure all vehicles are correctly insured.
• All reasonable safety measures are taken, e.g., seatbelts are worn, younger children in rear seats.
• Transport for junior matches will be provided by parents of children participating and/or the volunteers/coaches approved under Section 1 above. These adults should be familiar with and agree to abide by the Club’s Child Protection Policy and Procedures.
• Provide a fixture list in advance of the season and ensure copies are available for all parents/guardians. Ensure that they are aware of meeting times/places and expected return times. If possible, advise of any significant delay.

Practice To Be Avoided

In the context of your role within the Club the following practice should be avoided:

• Avoid having ‘favourites’ - this could lead to resentment and jealousy by other children and could lead to false allegations.
• Avoid spending excessive amounts of time alone with children or vulnerable adults away from others.
• Ensure that when children or vulnerable adults are taken away from home adults avoid entering their rooms unless in an emergency situation or in the interest of health and safety. If it is necessary to enter rooms, the door should remain open, if appropriate.
• Avoid taking children to your home.
• Avoid, where possible, doing things of a personal nature for children and vulnerable adults that they can do for themselves.

Practice never to be sanctioned

In the context of your role within the Club the following practices should never be sanctioned:

• Never engage in sexually provocative games, including horseplay.
• Never engage in rough or physical contact except as permitted within the rules of the game or competition.
• Never form intimate, emotional or physical relationships with children.
• Never allow or engage in touching a child in a sexually suggestive manner.
• Never allow children to swear or use sexualised language unchallenged.
• Never make sexually suggestive comments to a child , even in fun.
• Never reduce a child to tears as a form of control.
• Never allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon.
• Never share a room with a child for sleeping accommodation.
• Never invite or allow children to stay with you at your home.

Reporting

If members have concerns about an incident involving a child that seems untoward or unusual they must report their concerns as soon as possible to the CPO. Parents should also be informed of the incident as soon as possible unless it is not in the child's interests to tell them. (refer to Section 8, Sharing Concerns with Parents, Guardians or Carers).

4. Bullying

The lives of many people are made miserable by bullying. Victims of bullying can feel lonely, isolated and deeply unhappy. It can have a devastating effect on a child’s self esteem and destroy their self-confidence and concentration. Bullying is totally unacceptable at Kilmarnock Cricket Club and will not be tolerated.

Any suspicions or allegations of bullying of a child against a member will be dealt with through the Club’s Disciplinary Procedures.

5. Photographing, Videoing and Filming of Children

There is evidence that some people have used sporting venues and activities as an opportunity to take inappropriate photographs or film footage of children. However, it is recognised that parents and/or the Club will have perfectly legitimate reasons to photograph/film junior teams/players. The following procedures have been developed to protect children.

• Where possible consent from the parent/guardian for photographing, videoing and/or filming of a child or vulnerable adult must be obtained prior to the event or activity. This can be covered by an ‘umbrella’ consent form.
• Where possible anyone wishing to use photographic/film/video equipment at a venue must obtain the approval of the Club.
• No unsupervised access or one-to-one sessions are to be permitted unless this has been approved in advance by the child, parent/guardian and the organisation, and appropriate vetting has occurred e.g. Disclosure Scotland check of individual wanting to photograph, film or video.
• Kilmarnock Cricket Club reserves the right at all times to prohibit the use of photography, film or video at any event or activity with which it is associated.
• Any concerns with photographers or video or film operators are to be reported to the Club CPO and where relevant, the Police.

6. Children in Publications and on the Internet

Sport websites and publications provide excellent opportunities to broadcast achievements of individuals to the world and to provide a showcase for the activities of young people. In some cases, however, displaying certain information about children could place them at risk. The following procedure must be followed to ensure Kilmarnock Cricket Club’s publications and information on the Internet do not place children at risk.

The Club’s publications and information on the Internet must adhere to the following:

• Publications or information on an Internet site must never include personal information that could identify a child e.g. home address, e-mail address, telephone number . Any contact information must be directed to the Club.
• Before publishing any information about a child , written consent must be obtained from the child . If the material is changed from the time of consent, the parents/guardians must be informed and consent provided for the changes.
• The content of photographs or videos must relate to a normal cricket related activity in normal cricketing or sporting attire. Children must never be portrayed in a demeaning or tasteless manner.
• For photographs or videos of groups or teams of children reference should be made to the team or group. Credit for achievements by an individual child are to be restricted to first names e.g. James was Player of the Year 2007.
• If in doubt, refer to the Club CPO before using any material. Any concerns about material should be reported to the CPO.

7. Responding to Disclosures/Allegations

The following basic procedures should be followed as far as possible in all cases. It is recognised that all members may not be aware of the full procedures to be followed. It is therefore recommended that they contact the Club’s CPO or another of the junior coaches/volunteers who has had formal training in this area as quickly as possible after any incident.

Procedure to be adopted for:

7.1. An allegation made by an adult at intake or during coaching or in a game situation.

• Consider if the session needs to be suspended.
• The person making the allegation must be informed what has been said is serious, and the club may refer the matter to the relevant authorities because the club has a duty to refer all matters regarding possible offences against a child, allegations of abuse and/or concern over the welfare/safety of a child.
• An assessment of any immediate danger to the child should be made, such as, can the child go home safely, or will he/she be facing immediate danger.
• The coach must bear in mind his or her own safety at all times, and if the situation is too tense, this may have to be addressed by statutory authorities becoming involved.
• Where an adult has made an allegation against another person, the adult who made the allegation should be advised to tell the appropriate agency and support from the club should be offered, if this will help him or her make a referral. The club cannot absolve the person from his or her responsibility to make a referral.
• The person spoken to should refer firstly to the club’s CPO what was said, when, and by whom and this should be done as soon as practicable. They will then decide if this should be passed on to the relevant authorities.
• A written record should be made timeously of what was said, by whom, the circumstances, advise received from any person and the action taken; if contact was made with an outside agency, the date and time, who was spoken to, what was said and asked, what advise was given. This statement must be dated, timed and signed and must be made available to any statutory agency which subsequently requires it. Subsequent contact should be similarly recorded.

If a complaint is made against one of the club’s coaches then he or she will be suspended from coaching till the matter is discussed and resolved at committee level. If the parent wishes to take it further no party with in the club should place pressure upon them to drop the charges.

Procedure to be adopted for:

7.2. An allegation made by a child at intake or during the course of training or a game situation

• Consider if the session needs to be suspended, or can continue.
• In a manner, and at a time that is appropriate to the child, the coach/volunteer must inform the child, as far as the child can understand, that what has been said is serious, and the club may refer the matter to the relevant authorities because the club has a duty to refer all matters regarding possible offences against a child, allegations of abuse and/or concern over the welfare/safety of a child.
• If it is possible, facilitate the child finishing what is being said without heightening the stress of the occasion nor straying into areas of questioning the evidence gathering. There is no right to take the child away from the parent or to withhold the child at the end of the session, unless it appears that the child is at immediate risk of significant and serious harm or other danger. In these circumstances, it is clear that immediate involvement of police/social work would be appropriate.
• At the end of the session, telling the parent who is coming to take the child home that the child has indicated something serious, which has had to be passed on to the Club’s CPO and may be passed on to the relevant authorities unless that person is the person against whom an allegation is made. Where practicable, the advice of the CPO should be sought. The child should also be told that someone else may wish to speak to him or her.
• An assessment of any immediate danger to the child should be made, such as, can the child go home safely, or will he/she be facing immediate danger.
• If a complaint is made against one of the club’s coaches then he or she will be suspended from coaching until the matter is discussed and resolved at committee level. The person who the complaint is made to should inform the child’s parent of their allegation and also the club’s CPO. If the parent wishes to take it further no party with in the club should place pressure upon them to drop the charges.

7.3. Allegation made at Training or Game Situation.

• At any venue, where there is thought to be an immediate physical danger to a child, the police should be called.
• Where a parent who is thought to present a danger to a child, removes the child, no worker should attempt to intervene, but the appropriate agency should be contacted immediately.
• No coach should attempt to intervene physically in a situation that puts him or her in danger.

7.4. Where a third party contacts the club

• If the person raises concern about the welfare/safety of a child, or makes an allegation, that person must be told that the club cannot act upon this information because it is not a statutory body, and it cannot act on the information to help a child. It must be impressed on the caller that he or she has a duty to make a referral to the appropriate agency, and contact details may be supplied. It should be made clear that if the caller’s intention in contacting the club is to help protect a child, then it is the person making the call who is in the best position to make a referral, and that the club cannot absolve the caller from this responsibility. It should be pointed out that the agencies would prefer to speak to the person making the allegation in order to get the best understanding of the situation. It should also be made clear that confidentiality cannot be maintained under these circumstances. Nevertheless, after any such conversation, the person spoken to should report it to the club’s CPO, who should make a written record of it outlined as above, and pass on details to the relevant authorities if appropriate.

7.5. Recognition

• The recognition of child abuse is often difficult; there are many signs, symptoms and behaviours which may indicate abuse and there is need for extreme caution in interpreting any of them. Their presence, however, should at least raise the possibility of abuse in the mind of the coach/volunteer. If there is a possible concern, an informal contact with the club’s CPO or with the local social work department should be made for guidance and advice; where there is clear concern, a referral should be made as soon as possible to the appropriate agency.

7.6. Listening to Children

• All coaches must be aware of the dangers, when speaking to a child, of being asked by the child for a guarantee of confidentiality in advance. If a guarantee is given and the child makes a disclosure, the guarantee will cause the dilemma of breaking a promise given to a child, and the risk of becoming another trustless adult, or the person giving the guarantee is left carrying the burden of knowledge, without being able to do anything about it. Perhaps the best way of avoiding this trap is to day to the child that, depending upon what he or she tells you, you may have to pass this information on to someone else if there is to be any help. If this turns out to be necessary, tell the child who it is. The following may also be useful to underpin training:

7.6.1 Listen

• Do not interrupt the flow
• If any issues need clarification in order to assist the child ask only open ended questions.
• Do not ask leading questions
• Facilitate the child continuing, but do not push for more information than the child is happy to give.

7.6.2 Reassure

• Be calm, try not to show disgust, revulsion, or disbelief at what the child is saying – however much you might feel it
• Do not be judgemental, remember it is never the child’s fault
• Sitting side-by-side may make it easier for a child to talk: too much eye contact in this situation may inhibit a child
• Explain to the child that what ever has happened, he or she is not to blame, and that telling is the right thing to do.

7.6.3 Record

• It is very important to make a written note, including date and time, as soon afterwards as possible. Making a note at the time may inhibit the child.

7.6.4 Support

Throughout the process, make sure that you convey to the child the following important points.

• I am taking seriously what you are telling me.
• What ever has happened, you are not to blame.
• You are doing the right thing by telling me.

7.6.5 After the child has made a statement

• Stress your recognition of the importance of what has been said.
• Indicate your willingness to help and protect.
• Explain that, in order to help, you MUST share this information, and someone else might contact him or her to hear this important information.