Club Policies

Code of Conduct for Officials, Volunteers & Coaches

Code of Conduct for Parents & Carers

Youth Rules

Equity policy statement

Child Protection Policy

Code of Conduct for Officials, Volunteers & Coaches

Code of conduct for club officials and volunteers
The essence of good ethical conduct and practice is summarised below. All volunteers must:
· Consider the well-being and safety of participants before the development of performance.
· Develop an appropriate working relationship with performers, based on mutual trust and respect.
· Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part
· Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play)
· Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance
· Follow all guidelines laid down by the national governing body and the club
· Hold the appropriate, valid qualifications and insurance cover
· Never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward
· Never condone rule violations, rough play or the use of prohibitive substances Back to top

Code of Conduct for Parents & Carers

Code of Conduct for parents/carers
· Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them.
· Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials.
· Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.
· Never force your child to take part in sport.
· Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all.
· Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.
· Publicly accept officials? judgements.
· Support your child?s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.
· Use correct and proper language at all times. Back to top

Youth Rules

Junior club rules
Hillside Rugby Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well being of all its members. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect, be encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with Helen Cobb, Club Secretary.
As a member of Hillside Rugby Club you are expected to abide by the following junior club rules:
· All members must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions.
· All members must respect opponents.
· Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.
· Members must wear suitable kit for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager.
· Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly.
· Junior members are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions.
· Junior members are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing the club. Back to top

Equity policy statement

Equity policy statement
This club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity:
Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.
The club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.
The club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.
All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.
The club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures. Back to top

Child Protection Policy

Child Protection

Hillside Rugby Club

Explanatory Notes for Club Volunteers

The purpose of this document is to provide a functional and informative guide for all club volunteers concerning child protection.

This section provides information relating to child protection issues. It identifies what child abuse is, how to recognise it and how to help prevent abuse. Also included are good practice guidelines and procedures to follow if you suspect child abuse and template documents.

It is not intended to make accusations of bad practice or abuse, but to create awareness on child protection issues.

By reading this section and returning the forms provided, you have all the information needed to protect yourself and volunteers from allegations or using bad practice, and children from abuse.

There are several forms included in this section.

Child Protection Procedure form: This is for recording any suspicions you may have relating to child abuse. It should be sent to the relevant organisations identified within this section.

Coach Agreement: Staff and volunteers declaration forms: These should be returned to the clubs Child Protection Officer




















Hillside Rugby Club

Guide to Child Protection

The purpose of this Child Protection Policy and action plan is to provide a functional and informative guide for all Team Members concerning child protection.

The guide provides information relating to child protection issues. It identifies what child abuse is, how to recognise it hand how to help prevent abuse. Also included are good practice guidelines and procedures to follow if you suspect child abuse and template documents for by club volunteers.

It is not intended to make accusations of bad practice or abuse, but to create awareness on child protection issues.

Introduction

In 1995, it was estimated that over 34,500 children were registered for protection and that 20 out of every 200 children experience some form of abuse.

As a coach or volunteer involved with Hillside Rugby Club, you have frequent contact with children and young people and occupy a position of trust and responsibility. You have the chance to help identify and prevent cases where a child or young person may need protection, and to promote good practice in the care of children.

Every adult, who has a specific roles with any team, or coaching group, has a responsibility to:
· Do all they can to respect the rights, wishes and feelings of children and young people who participate in our programmes and competitions.
· Do all that is possible to advance and supervise the well being of the children and young people who participate.
· Develop, promote and review ways of protecting these children and young people from abuse, discrimination, exploitation and treatment that degrades them.

Why is child protection within Hillside Rugby Club important?

· Access to a large number of children and young people.
· Estimated 120 children and young people access our facilities
· Offers opportunity to publicise and create awareness about issues relating to child protection, and promote good practice among coaches, volunteers and parents.
· Provides an opportunity to identify any cases where a child or young person may be in need of protection.
Policy Statement
Responsibilities

As a sports organisation we will:

· Accept the moral and legal responsibility to implement procedures to provide a duty of care for young people, safeguard their well-being and protect them from abuse.
· Respect and promote the rights, wishes and feelings of young people and disabled adults.
· Recruit, train and supervise our volunteers to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect young people from abuse, and themselves against false allegations.
· Require volunteers to adopt and abide by the appropriate Codes of Ethics and Conduct and the Child Protection Policy and Procedures outlined within this document.
· Respond to any allegations appropriately and implement the appropriate disciplinary and appeals procedures, in conjunction with any appropriate agency (i.e. Local Authority Social Services Department, The Greater Manchester Policy Force)

Principles:
The guidance given in the procedures is based on the following principles:

· The welfare of young people, (the Children?s Act 1989 defines a young person as under 18 years of age) and disabled adults is the primary concern.
· All young people, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and /or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse.
· It is the responsibility of the child protection experts to determine whether or not abuse has taken place but it is everyone?s responsibility to report any concerns.
· All incidents of suspicious poor practice and allegations should be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
· Confidentiality should be upheld in line with the Date Protection Act 1984 and the Human Rights Act 2000.
Important
Please note that the term ?parent? is used throughout this document as a generic term to represent parents, carers and guardians.
Please note that the term young person also refers to players with disabilities and vulnerable adults.




Recognition of Poor Practice, abuse & Bullying?

Poor Practice

Poor practice includes any behaviour that contravenes the organisations Codes of Ethics and Conduct, which is constituted around the following:
· Rights ? for example of the players, the parent, the coach, the official etc
· Responsibilities ? for example responsibility for the welfare of the players, the sport, the profession of coaching, volunteers own development etc
· Respect ? for example for other players, officials and their decisions, coaches and the rules of the game etc

Abuse

Child abuse is behaviour to a child, which deliberately causes, or is likely to cause, significant harm. It also includes when someone knowingly fails to prevent serious harm to the child (NSPCC)

It take four main forms;
Physical, Sexual, Emotional and Neglect.

But discrimination, harassment and bullying are also abusive and can have effects both physically and emotionally.

Physical abuse

· Where adults physically hurt or injure children by hitting, shaking, squeezing, burning or biting.
· It also includes giving children or young people alcohol, inappropriate drugs, or poison and attempts to drown or suffocate children.
· In sports situations, physical abuse can include when the nature and intensity or the activity or training exceeds the capacity of the child?s immature and growing body or predisposes the child to injury resulting from fatigue or exercise

Sexual abuse

· Adults both male and female, sexually abuse girls and boys when they sue children to meet their own sexual needs.
· This could include; full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse, fondling, inappropriate sexual conversation and photography.
· Refers to actual or intended abuse, and showing children pornographic material
· Activities that may involve physical contact can potentially create situations where sexual abuse may go unnoticed.


Emotional abuse

· Children can be emotionally abused in a number of ways; Emotionally ill-treatment, bullying, deliberate rejection, lack of love and affection, constantly shouting at a child or young person, threats and taunts, making a child very nervous or withdrawn and constant overprotection (preventing the child from socialising)
· In sport, emotional abuse may refer to constant criticism, bullying and applying unrealistic pressure to succeed and perform to high standards.
· Failure to condone racism also constitutes abuse and will undermine effects to protect children from other forms of significant harm

Neglect

· Neglect occurs when adults fail to meet a child?s or young person?s basic needs like provision of food and warm clothing.
· Children and young people constantly left alone or unsupervised.
· In a sports setting, failure to ensure that children or young people are safe and not exposed to undue cold or unnecessary risk of injury.
· Neglect can also include lack of love, affection, and attention.
Coaches should realise the importance of inclusion for all, and not exclude a child due to their ability race or cultural background.

How to Recognise Child Abuse

Common Signs

· Unaccounted sources of money
· Fear of going home to parents or carers or of them being contacted
· Changes over time in manner and appearance
· Telling you about being asked to keep a secret or dropping other hints or clues about the abuse
· The child or young person describes what appears to be an abusive act involving him/her.
· Someone else (a child or adult) expresses concern about the welfare of another child.
· Unexplained changes in behaviour
· Distrustful of adults, particularly those with whom a close relationship would normally be expected.
· Has difficulty making friends and socialising
· Displays variations in eating patterns including overeating or loss of appetite.
· Loss of weight and personal hygiene problems.





Some specific signs

Physical Abuse

Physical indicator;
· Unexplained bruising, marks or injury
· Bruises which reflect hand marks
· Cigarette burns
· Bite marks
· Broken bones
· Scalds

Behavioural indicators
· Fear of parent being contacted
· Outbursts of aggression or anger
· Running away
· Fear of going home
· Flinching
· Depression
· Keeping arms/legs covered
· Reluctance to change clothes
· Withdrawn behaviour

Sexual Abuse

Physical indicators;
· Pain or itching in the genital area
· Bruising or bleeding near genital area
· Sexually transmitted disease
· Vaginal discharge or infection
· Stomach Pains
· Discomfort when walking or sitting
· Pregnancy

Behavioural indicators;
· Sudden changes in behaviour
· Child or young person becomes withdrawn and aggressive
· Apparent fear of certain people / person
· Running away
· Nightmares
· Unexplained sources of money
· Advanced sexual knowledge, language or drawings
· Eating disorders
· Self harm e.g. mutilation, suicide
· Secrets which can not be told to anyone
· Drug abuse
· Behaving inappropriately for age
· Telling about the abuse
Emotional abuse
Physical indicators;
· Developmentally delayed
· Sudden speech disorders

Behavioural indicators;
· Neurotic or paranoid
· Unable to take part or play
· Fear of making mistakes
· Sudden speech disorders
· Self harm or mutilation
· Fear of parents being contacted

Neglect
Physical indicators;
· Constant hunger
· Unkempt state
· Weight loss/ underweight
· Inappropriate dress

Behavioural indicators;
· Missing appropriate doctors / hospital appointments
· Truancy / late for school
· Tiredness or fatigue/few friends/ regularly alone and unsupervised


























Guidelines in Responding

Listening to the child

If a child says or indicates that he/ she is suffering from abuse, or information is obtained pointing towards abuse of a child, the person receiving this information should;
· React calmly, so as to not frighten the child
· Tell the child it is not their fault-they are not to blame
· Tell the child they were right to tell
· Take what the child says seriously, recognising the difficulties in interpreting what a child, who has a speech disability or a difference in language says
· Reassure the child, but do not make promises of confidentiality
· Make a full record of what had been said, herd and / or seen as soon as possible

Recording Information Checklist

When recording allegations or suspicions of abuse it is important to record the facts. Record exactly what the child has said to you, in a legible and accurate format, as soon as possible after the incident.

Include;
· The child?s name, address and date of birth
· The date and time of any incident
· Your observations (e.g. a description of the child?s behaviour and emotional state)
· Exactly what the child said and what you said.
· Any action you took as a result of your concerns (record any names, phone numbers and addresses of anyone you may have spoken to)
· Sign and date what you have recorded.
NB reporting the matter to the Police or Social Services should not be delayed by attempts to gain further information.

Who to report your concerns to;

All suspicions should be reported to Hillside Rugby Clubs Child Protection Co-ordinator Kath Schofield on 01706 640393. In the absence of Kath due to holiday etc you should then contact Club Secretary Helen Cobb on 01706 656523 / 07949608061.












Child Abuse: Coach Protection

Adults have power and authority over children and children place their trust in adults. This relationship is at the centre of successful coaching and is therefore devastating for the child when that trust is exploited or violated.

All coaches will realise the need to protect children. But what about the need to protect themselves ? how devastating would it be for a coach to be accused of child abuse?

There are three scenarios which, at the extreme could lead to a coach?s career, and indeed life, being blighted:

1. Through lack of forethought, a coach puts him/herself in a position where suspicions arise about their motives.
2. A Coach adopts a coaching style, which is physically robust or over familiar and so leaves him/herself open to accusations of abuse.
3. A Coach is maliciously accused of abuse and cannot disprove the allegations because her/ his behaviour is not above suspicion

To avoid these scenarios, coaches should follow this basic code of conduct in addition to the National Governing Bodies Child Protection Guidelines.

· Try to never work alone ? wait until another coach or chaperone is present
· Stop your session and challenge any suspicious behaviour as soon as you se it, whether it is careless or irrational
· Never be our of sight of your partner and visa versa
· Adopt a coaching style that maintains a distance between you and the children.
· Never put your hands on a child unless;
1. It is necessary for the session to progress
2. Your partner knows you are going to do it
3. You have told the child you are going to
· Never be left alone with a child on your own
· Never enter the shower or changing area without another adult
· Never enter a shower or changing area of the opposite sex
· Never play fight with a child
· Never make sexual innuendoes
· Get in, do your preparation, do your session and get out
· Never give a child a lift in your car
· Make sure you are up to date on child protection issues.







Allegations against volunteers

This would include anyone working with children within the club environment.

Chid abuse can and does occur outside the family setting. Although it is a sensitive and difficult issue, child abuse has occurred within a sport setting and it is crucial that people involved in sport are aware of this possibility and can take appropriate action.

There may be situations where allegations constitute poor practice as opposed to child abuse, but you should still consult with a senior colleague and gain advice from social services or the NSPCC if you have any doubts.

All volunteers will be fully supported and protected if they report concerns over a colleague who they may suspect be abusing a child.

Guidance for Volunteers whom allegations are made

Volunteers seeking help in defence of any allegation should be encouraged to seek support.
This may be through:
· Reference to legal advice
· Citizens advice bureau
· National Coaching Foundation (if a member)
· National Governing Body (if a member)

All volunteers who will work closely with children will be asked to complete a CRB check, references will be requested and checked, will be required to attend a child protection course within six months of joining Hillside Rugby Club and will be mentored for the first six months.
All coaches will be required to have up to date coaching certificates and registered with the National Governing body.


This child protection policy has been accepted by the committee of Hillside Rugby Club and is meant as a supplement of the Rugby Football Leagues Child Protection Policy.


Signed Signed


Name Name

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