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Child Welfare Policy
12 Jun 2009

PORTHCAWL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION CHILD PROTECTION AND WELFARE POLICY

POLICY STATEMENT
Introduction
PAA recognises its responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people under the age of 18 years young who are attracted to and participate in sport This policy applies to all members of the Association..

AIMS
The aims of the PAA Policy are:
To establish an effective system to ensure that all children and young people are able to enjoy sport in as safe an environment as possible. To ensure that everyone involved in sport within PAA, in whatever capacity, is trained in the welfare and protection of children. To promote high standards of behaviour by all those involved in all aspects of sport. To ensure everyone who enjoys sport within PAA is protected from sexual harassment, verbal and physical abuse and any threats of the aforementioned.

Responsibilities
In order to ensure that all members, officials, voluntary or paid workers, players and participants are protected from abuse, exploitation, harassment and harm, inside or outside of the Association, PAA will:
Accept the moral and legal responsibility to implement procedures to provide a duty of care children and young people, safeguard their well being and protect them from abuse.
Respect and promote the rights, wishes and feeling of children and young people.
Recruit, train and supervise its employees and volunteers to adopt best practise to safeguard and protect children and young people from abuse, and themselves against false allegations.
Require staff /volunteers to adopt and abide by PAA’s Code of Conduct and
Good Practice and Policy and Procedures.
Require that all coaches, officials and volunteers be aware of the potential for the development of a relationship of trust between themselves and young people, and the consequences inherent in the accidental or intentional abuse of the that relationship.

Principles
The key principles underlining the Policy are that:
The welfare of children and young people (the Children’s Act 1989 defines a young person as under 18 years of age) is the primary concern.
All children and young people, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse.
All incidents of poor practice and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
Confidentiality should be upheld in line with the Date Protection Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998.
It is the responsibility of the Child Protection Agencies to determine whether or not abuse has taken place, but is everyone’s responsibility to report any concerns.
All forms of sexual harassment are prohibited.
This guide has been produced to provide information and guidance for everyone involved in sport but particularly those in contact with young children to protect their welfare and enjoyment of the game.
Information on Types of Abuse
All adults have a responsibility to report any concerns they have if they suspect that abuse is taking place. Physical and behavioural signs that might raise concerns include:
Physical Abuse (e.g. hitting, shaking, squeezing, biting, burning). In sport, this may result if the nature of intensity of training is inappropriate for the participant; or where drugs or alcohol (specifically under 18s) are advocated or tolerated.
Sexual Abuse (e.g. any form of sexual behaviour between an adult and a young person, or the use of pornographic material). In sport, this may be the result of coaches or older players involving young / disabled players in any form of sexual activity (e.g. sexual language, touching or relationships).
Emotional Abuse (e.g. wherever there is any form of abuse as well as the withholding of love or affection, overprotection, frequent use of shouting or taunts or any verbal abuse). In sport this may occur if participants are subject to constant criticism, bullying (by coach, parents or peers), taunting to unrealistic pressure to perform to high expectation.
Neglect (e.g. failure to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment). Neglect in sport could include a teacher or coach not ensuring children were safe, exposing them to undue cold, heat or unnecessary risk of injury.
What signs might be a cause for concern?
Unexplained bruising or injuries and reluctance to talk about them
Unexplained changes in behaviour – becoming aggressive, withdrawn or unhappy
Something said by a participant who may identify a coach as a trusted person
with whom to share concerns
A change observed over a long period of time (e.g. the person losing weight or becoming increasingly dirty or unkempt)
Sexually explicit behaviour and language

PAA CODE OF CONDUCT
The PAA Code of Conduct and Good Practice sets standards for coaches, participants and parents involved in sport. It has been developed to improve standards of good practice and protect the welfare and wellbeing of all those involved in the game, particularly young players themselves. This Code of Conduct is compliant with national guidance by the individual sports organisations.

Within the Code of Conduct the following will apply:
· There will be a nominated Welfare Officer for the Association and for any sport group within the Association.
· There will be a system for the recording of information following an allegation
· There will be a system with regard to the storage of confidential information.
· There will be procedures for allegations against staff and volunteers
· Guidance on seeking advice
· Guidance on support for the reporter of abuse
For further details please read P.A.A. Code of Conduct
This policy will be reviewed annually



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