C.A.P.S Child Protection Policy
The Clapham Angling Preservation Society is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for young people to practice the sport of Angling.
All club officials will adhere to the following guidelines whilst engaged on the societies business.
1. Awareness of abuse.
2. Planning & organizing to minimize possible situations.
3. Introduce a system to encourage communication.
4. Appoint a Child Protection Officer.
5. Introduce a strict guide on how to deal with any alleged abuse.
Awareness of abuse.
1. All of our bailiff’s/coaches are made aware about the different types of abuse, whether physical ,verbal or mental.
a. Officials will also be informed that abuse can come from unexpected sources i.e. other children ,parents/guardians as well as other respected adults.
b. It is part of the official’s brief to always be on the look out for all signs of abuse.
c. Parents are encouraged to stay with their children & a contact telephone number is taken whenever possible.
Planning & organizing to minimize possible situations.
2. As part of our societies functions we plan & organize all events involving children. With the possibilities of abuse in mind.
a. We always intend to have a ratio of not less than 1 official to 5 children; Any strangers (adults that are not parents/guardians of the children) are supervised as far as is practicable.
b. Adequate supervision is always provided to minimize any possibility of abuse.
c. Officials are encouraged not to get into a one to one situation with any child outside the view of other bailiff’s/coaches.
d. Bailiff’s/coaches are not to smoke, drink alcohol or use abusive language when involved in a teaching/supervisory environment.
Introduce a system to encourage communication.
3. All officials are encouraged to converse with the children, to get to know the individuals and hopefully note prior indications of any problems.
Appoint a Child Protection Officer.
4. Our Child Protection Officer is: XXXXXXXXX Telephone: XXXXXXXX
His/Her role will be:-
a. To record in writing and without prejudice any abuse.
b. To provide a direct communication link (for the child) to a responsible adult not connected with our society.
c. To report without delay the alleged abuse to the appropriate authorities i.e. Social Services, Police, Parents/guardians etc.
d. To ensure complete confidentiality.
e. Ensure any suspected abuser is removed if practicable (or the child from the abuser if the former is not possible for any reason) from the situation until the matter is resolved.
Introduce a strict guide on how to deal with any alleged abuse.
5. All bailiff’s/coaches have a duty to protect the children against any kind of abuse and a duty toreport any alleged abuse immediately to our Child Protection Officer.
a. Refer do not investigate.
b. The task of deciding whether or not abuse has occurred rests with the professional agencies.
Our Child Protection Officer when any report of alleged abuse takes place will :-
a. Take details of the allegations/suspicions/concerns.
b. Consult with the appropriate Professional body. i.e. Police/Social Services etc.
c. Remove any alleged abuser from the scene (or the child from the abuser if the former is not possible for any reason).
d. Acts on the advice received from any professional body contacted.
Any reports are to be treated with complete confidentiality.
April 2003