CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Marlborough Boys’ College Rowing is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children in its care. We recognise the responsibility to promote safe practices and to protect all children from harm, abuse and exploitation while participating in our activities. 

For this policy and associated procedures, a child is recognised as someone under the age of 18 years. 

Policy Objectives

This policy aims to promote good practice through:

• Promoting the health and welfare of children by providing opportunities for them to take part in rowing activities safely

• Implementing appropriate procedures to safeguard the wellbeing of children and protect them from abuse

• Requiring members and volunteers to adopt and abide by the Child Protection Policy and procedures

• Responding to any allegation of misconduct or abuse of children in line with the Policy and procedures as well as implementing, where appropriate, disciplinary action at the discretion of the MBC Rowing Committee

• Regular monitoring and evaluating the implementation of this policy and procedures

Procedures

Screening - As part of our duty of care, we must ensure that suitable and appropriate volunteers (including parents) are engaged to work with children.

Child Protection Officer - The MBC Rowing Chairperson will be the Child Protection Officer if an issue arises during training or via social media/digital communication. The Camp Manager will act as the Child Protection Officer during camps and regattas. This person will:

• Ensure that child protection procedures are understood and adhered to

• Act as the main contact for child protection matters

• Report to the MBC Rowing Committees

All child protection matters must be reported to the MBC Rowing Chairperson at the earliest convenience.

The MBC Rowing Committee will:

• Keep up to date with developments in child protection legislation

• Establish and maintain complaints procedure

• Maintain confidential records of reported cases and any action taken

Good Practice Protocols

The protocols provide guidance to those working with children by outlining good practice and establishing boundaries in a range of situations:

• Ensure that all physical contact with children is relevant and appropriate to the activity

• Seek permission to touch when doing the above

• Do not engage in any intimate, over-familiar or sexual relationships with people under the age of 18 years

• Ensure that any filming or photography of children is appropriate

• Request parental consent before transporting young people in a vehicle (ensure vehicle has a current registration and WOF)

• Ensure that you have parental consent to administer other than basic first aid if required.

• Do not engage in communication on a one-to-one basis through social media or email, other than relevant coach/trainee feedback or administration

• Do not engage in, or allow parents, coaches, other children, or spectators to engage in any type of bullying behaviour (this includes cyberbullying)

• Avoid private or unobserved interactions with children

Dealing with Allegations and Responding to Concerns

In accordance with members’ responsibility to act on any serious concerns, the following should be brought to the attention of the Child Protection Officer:

• Any instance where the policy and procedures are not adhered to

• Any disclosure by a child that abuse or harm is occurring

• Any suspicions or concerns about a child being subject to abuse

Where Concerns about Poor Practice are Reported

Poor practice involves actions that are contrary to the policy and procedures and increase the risk of harm to children:

• Initial concerns should be discussed with the Child Protection Officer (who must convey them to the MBC Rowing Committee), in the absence of a Child Protection Officer the MBC Rowing Chairperson should be notified directly

• Consider the allegation and where there is legitimate concern provide a written notice to the individual(s) involved

• Disciplinary procedures for both true and false allegations should be agreed by Child Protection Officer and MBC Rowing Chairperson with the input of the MBC Rowing Committee where practicable. This may include expulsion under the terms of the MBC Rowing Constitution

Abuse is Suspected or Reported

The welfare of the child or young person is the first and paramount consideration:

• Ensure the child is safe from immediate harm

• Consult immediately with the Child Protection Officer or MBC Rowing Chairperson

• As soon as possible, record accurately and appropriately the information received. Records should be factual (not opinion or hearsay) and concise and include:

• The nature of the allegation

• Who noticed/disclosed the abuse and their relationship to the child?

• Details of any witnesses

• Signs and symptoms noted (including behavioural changes)

• Any incidents with dates, times and places (if possible)

• Any action taken

• Consult with others as necessary – do not work alone

• Avoid questioning the child beyond what has already been disclosed

• Do not question or counsel the alleged offender

• Do not investigate/presume expertise unless experienced and qualified to do so

• Notify the Police