CONTACT LIST

These contact details should be in a prominent position and available for reference by all members of staff at Indoor Cricket Guernsey.

Child Protection Officer

Helen Mahoney (Director of Operations)

Services for Children and Young People

Child Protection and Fieldwork Co-ordinator                       +44 (0) 1481 713444

Edward T Wheadon House

Le Truchot

St Peter Port

GY1 1FB

Duty Officer    (outside office hours):                              +44 (0) 1481 725241

Police Station                                                                          +44 (0) 1481 725111

Police Headquarters

Hospital Lane

St Peter Port

GY1 2QN

NSPCC                                                                                   0800 8005000

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Child protection standard

It is important to recognise that we have a moral and legal obligation to ensure that when we are given responsibilities for children, we should give them the highest possible standard of care.

We aim to: -

Ensure that all employment conditions and job requirements reflect our commitment to Child Protection.

Take all reasonable steps to ensure that unsuitable people are prevented from working with children, and encourage all our user groups, hirers, etc. to follow the same procedures consistently whether professional or voluntary or in full or casual employment.

Maintain a working environment free from child abuse

Abuse recognises four main forms: -

PHYSICAL ABUSE – where adults physically hurt or injure children by hitting, shaking, squeezing, burning, biting or by giving children alcohol, inappropriate drugs or poison. In a sports situation physical abuse might occur when the nature and intensity of training disregard the capacity of the child’s immature growing body.

SEXUAL ABUSE – where adults, both male and female, who use children to meet their own sexual needs, abuse girls and boys. This could include full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse and fondling. Showing children pornographic material is also a form of sexual abuse. In swimming and related activities, which might involve physical contact with children, situations where sexual abuse might go unnoticed could be created. It is important to recognise the power of a coach or instructor over young athletes, which can, if misused, lead to abusive situations developing.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE – where there is a persistent lack of love and affection, where a child may be constantly shouted at, threatened or taunted which may make the child very nervous and withdrawn. Emotional abuse in sport might include situations where children are subject to unrealistic pressure by the parent or coach, or bullied in order to consistently perform to high expectations.

NEGLECT – where adults fail to meet a child’s basic needs like food or warm clothing. Children might also be constantly left alone or unsupervised. Adults may also fail to, or refuse to give children love and affection and this could be seen to be emotional neglect. Neglect in a sport situation could include a teacher or coach not ensuring children are safe or exposing them to undue cold.

RESPONSIBILITY AND RECOGNITION

All managers have an important part to play in the area of child protection, given their involvement in the employment and management of staff and will, therefore, be held accountable for the operation of this standard within the area or their responsibilities.

Even for those experienced in working with child abuse, it is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has already taken place. It is unlikely that staffs are experts in this field and it should be stressed that the statutory responsibility for the welfare of children is that of the Service for Children and Young People. The NSPCC has a helpline, which can offer valuable advice.

INDICATORS OF ABUSE

Indications that a child is being abused include:-

Unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns, particularly if situated on part of the body not normally prone to such injuries.

An injury for which the explanation seems inconsistent.

The child 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 over time e.g. becoming very quiet, withdrawn or displaying sudden outbursts of temper.

Inappropriate sexual awareness.

Engages in sexually explicit behaviour in games.

Is distrustful of adults, particularly those with whom a close relationship will normally be expected.

Has difficulty in making friends.

Is prevented from socialising with other children.

Displays variations in eating patterns including overeating or loss of appetite.

Loses weight for no apparent reason.

Becomes increasingly dirty or unkempt.

This list is not exhaustive and the presence of one or more of the indicators is of course not proof that abuse is actually taking place. It is stressed, however, that it is not the responsibility of Indoor Cricket Guernsey staff to prove that abuse is taking place, but it is their responsibility to act upon any concerns.

LISTENING TO THE CHILD

The person receiving information from a child who claims he or she has been abused should:-

React calmly so as not to frighten the child.

Tell the child that they are not to blame and that it was right to confide in you.

Take what the child says seriously, recognising the difficulties inherent in interpreting what a child who has speech disability and or differences in language says. Do not probe. Do not lead.

Keep questions to an absolute minimum necessary to ensure a clear and accurate understanding of what has been said.

Always reassure the child, but do not make promises of confidentiality, which might not be feasible in the light of subsequent developments.

Make a full record of what has been said, heard and or seen as soon as possible

RESPONDING TO SUSPICIONS OR ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD ABUSE

Staff are not responsible for deciding whether or not child abuse is taking place. They are however responsible for reporting suspicions to the Services for Children and Young People which has a statutory duty to ensure the welfare of a child.

If a member of staff has concerns that a child may be suffering abuse the incident must be reported to the designated Child Protection Officer.

It is the responsibility of the Child Protection Officer to inform the Duty Officer at the Services for Children and Young People without delay. Adequate arrangements should be in place to allow this to happen even when the person in charge is not available. The NSPCC operates a free phone helpline on 0800 8005000 which can provide guidance 24 hours a day.

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