Child Protection Policy
The DanceSport Academy is committed to the principle that all children have the right to be protected from abuse. It acknowledges the need to provide and maintain a high degree of physical and mental well being for children in its care.
Our Aims
- To increase awareness of Child Protection issues;
- Promote good working practice throughout sport;
- Provide a safe and child friendly environment for the effective delivery of sporting activity.
Our Objectives
- Implementation of good working practices to ensure a safe and healthy environment;
- Coach awareness of child protection issues (both in the context of organised activities and within the home and community) achieved through Induction and CPD;
- Establishment of standard procedures to protect the child first and foremost when suspected abuse or actual abuse is reported (both within and outside the sporting arena);
- Familiarity with standard procedures by all involved in the Bedfordshire County Sports Partnership;
- Recognition of potential risks and safety concerns to child when child abuse is reported.
Recruitment, Employment and Deployment
of Staff and Volunteers
All reasonable steps must be taken to ensure that people have the necessary
qualifications and experience to work with young people. The procedures should
be adopted whether staff are paid or volunteers, full or part time.
Promoting Good Practice with Young People
Sport can play a positive part in identifying cases of child abuse occurring
outside of its direct arena (e.g. at home/school). It is equally important
to respond to cases that arise within sport, and make staff, coaches and
volunteers aware of the procedures that must be followed. All personnel in
sport will be encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behaviour in order to promote
the welfare of young people and reduce the likelihood of allegations being
made.
Identifying Poor Practice, Abuse and Bullying
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.
The staff and volunteers in sport, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity,
are not experts at such recognition. However, they do have a responsibility
to act if they have any concerns about the behaviour of someone (an adult
or another child) towards a young person. In many cases it is difficult to
differentiate between what could be deemed as poor practice and possible
child abuse.
Responding to Disclosure, Suspicions
and Allegations of Abuse
All staff, coaches and volunteers have the responsibility to respond immediately
if a young person says or indicates that he/ she is being abused, or information
is obtained which gives concern that a young person is being abused. Similarly
if there are suspicions of poor practice these should also be reported.
Training
All coaches and all volunteers that are formally involved in the programme
will attend the Sports Coach UK Good Practice and Child
Protection Courses
and any other relevant training (this includes SCUK
Equity in Your Coaching,
How to Coach Disabled People in Sport and Emergency
1st Aid).
The full Child Protection Policy can be viewed through the Bedfordshire & Luton County Sports Partnership website.
Other Policies in this Section:
Equal Opportunities Policy
Equity Policy
