Health wellbeing and care
Child Protection
Introduction to Safeguarding children
Thank you for taking time to visit the Bedford Borough Council Child Protection section. This section was developed by Bedford Borough Council in partnership with the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU).
Participating in the arts or sport are every-day activities for many children and makes a significant contribution to their well being and development. Community organisations have become increasingly aware that some individuals who want to harm children will use their organisation as a medium to gain access to young people. All Community organisations have a duty to safeguard children from abuse while participating in their activity or using their facility. They also have a role in recognising and responding to concerns that a child may be being abused within another setting, such as the family home. By encouraging all Community organisations to implement their own Child Protection policy Bedford Borough Council believe that everyone involved in working with children in the local community benefit – children, parents/guardians and leaders.
The Wider Picture
Bullying
Children can be subjected to many forms of unacceptable treatment by adults or indeed by their own peers, which we may never consider being abuse, but none the less the impact of such ill treatment is wide-ranging and impossible to quantify. At a personal level, such ill treatment can completely destroy a child’s sense of worth attacking their self-confidence and self-esteem. At its worst some children can feel that their situation, which if it goes unchallenged, is so hopeless that suicide is their only option. Bedford Borough Council believe that it is important that all communities address the issue of bullying and provide information on addressing the topic.
 | Anti Bullying Policy Sample. ( 30 KB ) - DOWNLOAD |
Often it is difficult to believe, or indeed accept, that child abuse happens and could occur in your community. The harsh reality is - it does! and the evidence to support this has attracted wide media attention over the years with few community, uniformed, church or sporting organisations going unscathed or perhaps undetected.
| Child Abuse Happens Document. ( 17 KB ) - DOWNLOAD |
What Organisations/Club’s Should Do To assist your organisation/club in developing a culture where a child can feel safe and a parent / guardian knows that your organisation/club prioritises the welfare of their child, Bedford Borough Council have developed the following advice with regards to what to put in place.
The first thing that any club needs to have in place are Guidelines of Good Practice, also know as a Code of Conduct. This is the cornerstone of any good child protection policy. Without a standard for leaders/ parents / children to adhere to you are leaving your organisation vulnerable and open to challenge about behaviour or actions of individuals within your organisation/club. As chairperson/manager you are also not able to challenge a person if you have your own concerns about the standard of their practice if you have not made them aware of the standards you expect from them.
| Codes of Conduct for Coaches and Volunteers. ( 22 KB ) - DOWNLOAD |
Every organisation/club must produce a Child Protection Statement and this statement should be made available to leaders / parents / children and if possible displayed in your organisation/club’s facilities. This is a statement of intent outlining what you intend to do to ensure the protection of children in your organisation/club.
| Sample Policy Statement for Sports Clubs. ( 24 KB ) - DOWNLOAD |
Your organisation/club have a responsibility to develop a Child Protection policy and related procedures to meet your needs. This should be developed in partnership with parents and children where possible. To ensure this information is relayed to leaders, parents/guardians and children your organisation/club should produce information leaflets or an induction booklet highlighting the priority your organisation gives to the issue of child protection.
For guidelines of individual procedures that should be in your actual Child Protection policy, plese see documents listed below:
| Definitions of Child Abuse Document. ( 24 KB ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Responding to an Allegation by a Child Advice. ( 22 KB ) - DOWNLOAD |
| When the complaint is about possible abuse outside the organisation. ( 11 KB ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Are you concerned about the behaviour of member of staff. ( 22 KB ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Recruitment Procedures for Name of Organisation. ( 43 KB ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Guidelines on transporting a child in car. ( 22 KB ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Photographs and Images of Children. ( 24 KB ) - DOWNLOAD |
The child protection policy should be developed in partnership with parents and children where possible. Producing information leaflets highlights the priority your organisation gives to the issue of child protection.
The importance of keeping parents informed cannot be over-stated, as well as good practice think litigation, insurance etc. Therefore it is important that you consider obtaining members medical details and parental consent form, this is particularly important if going on away trips. Further detailed guidance on organising away trips and overnights is available through the Child Protection in Sport Unit.
| Standard Parental or Guardians Consent Form. ( 22 KB ) - DOWNLOAD |
Organisation/club’s must insure that they regularly monitor their child protection procedures. We recommend that these are reviewed every 3 years.
Safer Recruitment Procedures
The Protection of Children Act 1999 aims to improve existing safeguards for children by preventing unsuitable people working with them in any capacity whether paid or unpaid. POCA complements each agency’s own child protection measures and all agencies entrusted with the care of children need to have robust recruitment and selection procedures, which are enhanced after appointment by appropriate training, supervision and appraisal processes.
One of the main aspects of the order that impact on voluntary organisations are;
Disqualification Orders - Making it an offence to employ in a voluntary or paid capacity a disqualified person in a regulated position (i.e. a sports coach working with under 18's).
For information on how a club can use the Criminal record Bureau please visit their website.For further advice and information please see useful contacts.
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