CHILD PROTECTION

 

Red Rose Rollers ARSC recognises that because coaches / volunteers are in regular and frequent contact with children they are particularly well placed to observe signs of abuse. The club is therefore aware of the responsibilities which the coaches / volunteers have with regard to the protection of children from abuse and from inadequate and inappropriate care.

 

Red Rose Rollers ARSC’s nominated Child Protection Welfare Officer is Laurence Herring.  ‘He is the “designated person” with whom concerns must be shared.

 

All coaches / volunteers have been made aware of the above and realise that if they suspect any wrong doings towards any of the children connected to the club that they must bring it to the attention of the Child Protection Officer immediately.

 

Where coaches / volunteers see signs which cause them to have concerns they should seek information from the child with tact and sympathy. It is not however the responsibility of the coach / volunteer to investigate suspected abuse.

 

All records and witness statements relating to child protection concerns will be marked confidential and retained by the Child Protection Officer.

 

All coaches / volunteers that have close contact with children, connected to Red Rose Rollers ARSC will be subject to DBS Procedure.

 

Child Protection Principles

 

Principles on which Red Rose Rollers ARSC procedures are based:

  • Children have the right to protection
  • Everyone working with or in contact with children has a responsibility for their protection
  • Responsibility relating to concern for a child’s safety must be shared
  • Child protection depends on all coaches / volunteers and all agencies working together.
  • Child protection over-rides:
  • Confidentiality
  • Relationship with family
  • Agency hierarchy and objectives

 

Red Rose Rollers ARSC responsibilities and those of GBSA are determined by the following legislation:

  • Police Act 1997
  • Sex Offenders Act 2023
  • Human Rights Act 2022
  • Crime and Disorder Act 2023
  • Children Act amended 2021
  • Protection of Children Act 2021
  • Sexual Offences Act revised 2003
  • Youth Evidence and Crime Evidence Act 1999

 

 

Child Protection Procedures

 

The procedures apply to ALL children and to abuse by anyone responsible for their care i.e. parents, baby sitters, professionals (e.g. care staff, teachers, coaches / volunteers).

 

Procedures MUST be followed in response to child abuse or suspicion of child abuse. Do not guarantee confidentiality to the child. Take what the child says very seriously.

 

Typical signs of abuse include:

  • unexplained bruising or injuries
  • sexually explicit language/actions
  • sudden changes in behaviour eg withdrawn
  • something a child has said
  • a change observed over a long period of time
  • loss of weight for no apparent reason

Remember these signs may not constitute abuse.

 

If you have any concerns share them with the “designated person” – the Child Protection Officer.

 

Categories Of Abuse

 

Physical Abuse: Physical abuse implies physically harmful action directed against a child; it is usually defined as any inflicted injury such as bruises, burns, head injuries, fractures, abdominal injuries or poisoning.

 

Possible physical abuse in skating includes:

  • Inappropriate training methods
  • Overtraining
  • Knowingly training skaters or entering them into competition already injured or ill
  • Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse includes a child being continually terrorised, berated or rejected.

Possible emotional abuse in skating includes:

  • Frequently taunting, criticising, bullying or pressing children to attain standards that they are clearly not able to reach
  • Continuous criticism and lack of praise from the coach / parent
  • Pressure from the parent for their child to skate against their wishes

 

Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse is defined as the involvement of dependant developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities they do not truly comprehend, to which they are unable to give informed consent, or that violate the social taboos of family roles.

 

Possible sexual abuse in skating includes:

  • Inappropriate physical contact e.g. supporting, touching or inappropriate medical treatment
  • Showing young people pornographic books, photography or videos.

 

Neglect: Neglect can be a very insidious form of maltreatment, which can go on for a long time. It implies failure of the parents to act properly in safeguarding the health, safety and well-being of the child. It includes nutritional neglect, failure to provide medical care or to protect a child from physical and social danger.

 

Possible neglect in skating includes:

 

  • Failure to ensure that the child is safe or to expose them to undue risk or injury.
  • Fail to meet the child’s basic physical needs for food and appropriate clothing.
  • To constantly leave children alone or unsupervised.
  • Bullying: Emotional and verbal bullying are more common than physical violence.
  • Possible bullying in skating includes:
  • Skaters ganging up against one individual and threatening them verbally or physically.
  • A coach wanting to “win – at – all – costs” forcing skaters to the limit.
  • Young skaters threatening and stealing from team mates.

 

Photography Guidelines

 

Red Rose Rollers ARSC encourages parents/carers to take pictures or video of their own children skating. Having a visual memento of our children enjoying skating is priceless. However, we are now advised to discourage taking photos of other children without first seeking approval.

 

As a GBSA affiliated Club we follow GBSA Guidance on taking and using photographic images and video of children and have the following specific guidance for parents, carers, spectators and club officials:

 

  • If the skater is named avoid using their photograph
  • If the photograph is used avoid naming the skater
  • A parent or carer must be consulted and subsequently give permission for an image to be used. This ensures that the parents are aware of the way the image of their child or young person is used
  • The images of skaters must be restricted to appropriate dress to reduce the risk of inappropriate use
  • The content of any image should focus on the activity and not on a particular child or young person
  • Full face and body shots should be avoided.
  • The Club does NOTallow images to be recorded in changing rooms, showers or toilets – this includes the use of mobile phones that record images.
  • Coaches and Club Officials will from time-to-time photograph or video matches or training to post on our website or other media, e.g. Facebook, or to use as an aid to training. If at any point you have Safeguarding concerns about your child appearing in a photo (e.g. the child is subject to care proceedings), it is important to discuss this with your child’s Coach or Safeguarding Officer who will ensure the club is made aware and appropriate and agreed action is taken.
  • Please ensure any photos or videos you take are stored securely.
  • If you are concerned about the inappropriate use of images, please report this to your Child Protection Officer, Coach or Club Official.

How To Report Your Concerns

  • Record what you saw or heard as soon after the event as possible.
  • Remember it is not your job to interrogate or try to find out as much information as possible. You are not qualified to do so, may cause greater upset to the victim and may put a legal case at risk. Write down the facts – exactly what the person said or precisely what you saw. Do not add any opinions about what you saw or heard.
  • Use the notes you have written down when you are reporting your concerns verbally, try to stay calm and unemotional.
  • Do not share the information with anyone else. You may need support yourself and you should discuss this with the person to whom you report your concerns.
  • If you feel that your concerns are not being dealt with satisfactorily, you should follow up by contacting another Child Protection Officer (GBSA).

Report A Child Protection Incident     

                    

Please report any Child Protection incidents you become aware of following the guidelines from the policy document above using the Incident Reporting Form.

 

All submissions will be treated in confidence and the only person who receives a copy of your report is the club’s Child Protection Officer.  Any such report must include;

 

  • Name
  • Telephone / Email
  • Who you were made aware by
  • Child’s Name
  • Date of incident
  • Place incident happened?
  • What happened?
  • Advice/further action?
  • Any supporting evidence?

As part of GBSA, all Roller Skating Coaches at Red Rose Roller Skating Club have undergone GBSA Child Protection Training and have a current DBS in place. All Coaches have a licence under GBSA.

 

Coaches are:

 Paula Callaghan

Nikki Lohan

 

Junior Coaches

Jenni Gilligan

Niamh Greenen

Jack Openshaw

 

 All Coaches are fully insured including insurance against false allegation.

 

We have a normal Coach to Pupil ratio of less than 1:15.

 

Paula Callaghan was Child Protection Officer for FARS delivering training to other Coaches in 2010. Paula has undergone extensive training on Child protection and vulnerable adults. As a Secondary School Teacher – Head of Food Technology at Park High School, Colne. Paula had responsibility for SEN Children and has training on Equity. Additional course attended – Disability in sports run by Bolton Council as advised by FARS, now GBSA.

 

Routine policy and procedures followed as guided by GBSA and NSPCC guidelines. In addition, information and knowledge from PCA teaching career is implemented.

 

Suspected abuse or accusations are always to be reported to Police or Social Services.

 

Red Rose Roller Skating Safeguarding Officer must complete training and courses as dictated by GBSA.