The aim of this policy is to ensure that the highest level of safety is maintained within the Club and by volunteers and staff working together to form a circle of support for the young people and the volunteers and staff within the Club.
 

The EFCC is committed to providing an environment which ensures young persons are safe from potential abuse including physical, bullying, verbal, emotional, sexual and neglect, and will respond to any suspicion of potential abuse in a way which respects the young person's rights and reinforces the adults responsibilities to the young person.

The EFCC Child Protection Policy and Procedure applies to all young persons in our care regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or religion and is made in accordance with The Children Act 1989 and the Protection of Children Act 1999.  All activities held within the Club are planned and appropriate for the age and abilities of the young people within the Club.   

EFCC has a full set of policies covering all aspects of the Club and this policy should be read in conjunction with these.

 

In addition, the EFCC is affiliated to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Sussex County Cricket Board.  As an affiliated ECB member, we have adopted the child protection policies and procedures from the ECB.  Our own club policies and procedures has been developed from and are compliant with the ECB guidelines.

In particular this policy should be read in conjunction with the ECB Child Welfare and Protection policies:

·        Safe Hands - Welfare of Young People in Cricket

·        Complaints and Discipline Procedures

·        Club Welfare Officer - job description

Full copies of these policies and procedures can be found and downloaded at www.ecb.co.uk/ecb.  A paper copy is held in the Secretary's office.

 

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Child Protection

1.      EFCC ensures that all adults working (voluntary or paid) in the Club are made aware of their responsibility towards young person protection and of the fact that youth work is exempt from the provision laid down in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

2.      EFCC requires all potential workers to provide references, attend an interview, sign an agreement to be police checked for police records or cautioning and to work for a probationary period. (As per recruitment and volunteer policy)

3.      EFCC is committed to provide an induction programme for new members of staff / volunteers which includes child protection responsibilities.

4.      EFCC will also offer on going training to all adults, involved with the care and education of young persons, which will help them to recognise and respond to suspected abuse of young persons whether physical, emotional, sexual or as a result of neglect.

5.      Have clearly set out procedures, which all adults will be aware of to respond to concerns of suspected abuse.

6.      EFCC will also ensure that the young people within the Club are made aware of the existence of the Child Protection policy and the staff / volunteers' responsibility towards it.  This is covered at the initial training induction sessions when they and parents are directed to the club website to view the latest copy at www.etchinghamsussex.co.uk

7.      EFCC recognise that children need to be kept safe when taking trips away from home, eg cricket training sessions or away matches.  The same child protection policies will be enforced in addition to the club health and safety procedures and insurance policies. We will ensure that there is always one responsible adult/parent per 11 children. 

8.      We will ensure that any external providers/activity centres are reputable organisations.  We only use known centres and we ensure that they have proper safety procedures in place.  For example, a separate risk assessment has been conducted for winter training sessions at the Weald Sports Centre and a copy is available from the Club Secretary and a copy is lodged with the Weald Sports Centre.

9.      EFCC is committed to carefully planning all cricket activities that are appropriate for the group of children and young people that we work with.  For the younger groups of 6 -11 year olds we initiate them by following the ECB Kwik Cricket format.  Progress is then monitored via the accreditation process and activities are tailored to their skill level.  All matches are governed by the ECB young players regulations and enforced by the club captain and umpires, eg restriction on the number of overs young people can bowl in one spell.

10.  EFCC recognise that parents should always be involved in the monitoring of young person behaviour or development and should be the first point of contact (except in the case of sexual abuse)

11. Keep an ongoing record of observations of significant changes in young persons behaviour or appearance, which will be written down and kept confidential.  These records will be kept on the Club file in the Secretary's locked office.
12. The leader must decide after consultation with other volunteers, if necessary, whether these injuries/changes in behaviour are significant, taking into account his/her knowledge of the young person and their family.
13. If there is any doubt, the leader must inform Social Services (if possible the office covering the area in which the young person lives).
14. The leader must under normal circumstances tell the parents that Social Services have been informed.

15.  EFCC has a designated person to whom all concerns will be referred. The young person protection officer is KATH KNELLER and she can be contacted on 01580 881322 or on  07900431879

16.  We will ensure all adults know who to contact within the Club and what to do if that person does not carry out their responsibility for the young person's well being.

17.  Work with the Social Services, Police and NSPCC to ensure the young person's best interests are met.

18.  We will wherever possible, continue to support and work with the young person's family to maintain continuity of care for the young person.

19.  All details of concerns, progress, case conferences etc. are confidential and as such documents are kept in a secure place and are not discussed with anyone not authorised to have this information.

20. Parents must be notified if a young person is to be banned from the club, regardless of length of ban.
21. In the event a young person has not been collected, the leader/volunteer will attempt to contact the parents/guardians and after 30 minutes the leader/volunteer will make arrangements to have the young person taken home.
22. The Club will support the leader in these circumstances and will try to provide a supportive person with whom he/she can talk through their worries. The welfare of the young person is paramount and therefore any information given to a volunteer concerning young person protection may be disclosed to the appropriate authority.
23. In the event a volunteer(s) is/are accused of inappropriate conduct, then that adult(s) will be temporarily suspended from the Club pending an investigation and the local Constituent Organisation and the National Association will be notified of this decision.
24. This policy is to be read in conjunction with Appendices A, B & C of the Action in Rural Sussex guide to child protection.

 
 

This policy is reviewed annually at the Club Committee meeting prior to the annual AGM.

Code of Behaviour Policy

EFCC code of behaviour policy is for all volunteers and workers involved in the Club.
 

• All employees / volunteers undergo induction training which consists of reading and signing to agree to abide by all of the policies of the Club, which cover every aspect of work. Including:

 

1. Equal opportunities
2. Health & safety (which includes personal risk procedure for staff and volunteers.)
3. Child protection.
4. Young persons behaviour management (which includes appropriate conduct, and physical restraint guidelines.)
5. Sexual harassment in the workplace policy.

 

• Staff/Volunteers should: -

 

1. Avoid initiating physical contact with children.
2. Avoid physical expressions of emotion such as kissing and hugging.
3. Avoid intrusive forms of play, such as, tickling, rough and tumble play. If physical contact is offered from a child, cease as soon as possible, without the child feeling rejected.
4. Staff/volunteers should always endeavour to work in pairs, and avoid any physical contact if they are in a situation where they are alone with a child.
5. If a child persists in physical contact that is inappropriate, staff/volunteers should explain that it is not allowed to kiss/hug people that they work for or with. If the child still persists, the matter should be brought to the attention of a senior member of the club
6. Relationships between staff/volunteers should be one of mutual respect. All staff volunteers will be expected to contribute and take responsibility to ensure a positive working environment and to conduct themselves accordingly.

 

• In addition to this the following specific behaviour is not allowed: -

 

1. Lending or borrowing of money or property belonging to the Club or members of the Club without prior written approval.
2. The giving or receiving of gifts to young people in our care.
3. Exclusive or secretive relationships with the young people in our care.
4. Taking young people in our care to the employee / volunteer's home without prior written consent from the parent.

 

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