Guildford Thunder Korfball Club child safeguarding and welfare policy
Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and England Korfball Association (EKA) requirements (Appendix 1).
Guidance and policies for the EKA can be found on its Safeguarding Hub.
This policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances.
It aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children have a positive and enjoyable experience of sport at Guildford Thunder Korfball Club in a safe and child-centred environment. They are protected from abuse whilst participating in korfball or outside of the activity.
We acknowledge that some children, including disabled children or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.
As part of our safeguarding policy, we will:
Young people and non-competition korfball participation: England Korfball policy
England Korfball understands that it may be appropriate for young people under the age of 18 to participate alongside adults in korfball activities such as training or internal club competitions. Where this occurs, the club must conduct and record a Risk Assessment of the activities, with mitigating actions taken. The club must ensure that the sessions are led by on England Korfball qualified coach and that, where appropriate, DBS checks are undertaken for all coaches, officials and volunteers.
England Korfball recommends a minimum age of 12 for young people to be participating in korfball activities alongside adults, providing risks have been recorded and managed.
Procedure for reporting safeguarding concerns
If anyone who is involved with Guildford Thunder Korfball Club has a safeguarding concern, they must immediately report it to the Club Welfare Officer. The current Club Welfare Officer is Naomi Crump ([email protected]).
You can use:
Serious concerns or imminent risk
If you have a serious concern and you believe that a child (or adult at risk) is at imminent risk, in the first instance you must contact the police using 999.
The Club Welfare Officer should also be informed and will support in contacting the Local Authority Designated Officer and any other relevant authorities (if required).
Other concerns
If you are in doubt as to whether your concern is serious, contact the Club Welfare Officer. The Club Welfare Officer will follow the EK Guidance Policy for managing safeguarding allegations (appendix 2).
If you are not comfortable speaking to the nominated welfare officer please contact the England Korfball Designated Safeguarding Lead during normal working hours: Declan Kohl via email or call 07917 388173.
If out of working hours and the DSL is unavailable, call the NSPCC ([email protected]) who are available 24/7 for help, advice and support: 0808 800 5000. Please then contact the England Korfball DSL during normal working hours.
Code of conduct for players under 18
Appendix
1. EK Safeguarding and Children Protection Policy
2. EK Guidance Policy for Managing Allegations
3. EK Guidance on Under 18 Participants
4. EK Guidance on Collection and Late Collection for U18 Players
Guidance and policies for the EKA can be found on its Safeguarding Hub.
This policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances.
It aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children have a positive and enjoyable experience of sport at Guildford Thunder Korfball Club in a safe and child-centred environment. They are protected from abuse whilst participating in korfball or outside of the activity.
We acknowledge that some children, including disabled children or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.
As part of our safeguarding policy, we will:
- Promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
- Ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding.
- Ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and provide support to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern.
- Ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.
- Prevent the deployment of unsuitable individuals. All coaches are DBS checked.
- Ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.
Young people and non-competition korfball participation: England Korfball policy
England Korfball understands that it may be appropriate for young people under the age of 18 to participate alongside adults in korfball activities such as training or internal club competitions. Where this occurs, the club must conduct and record a Risk Assessment of the activities, with mitigating actions taken. The club must ensure that the sessions are led by on England Korfball qualified coach and that, where appropriate, DBS checks are undertaken for all coaches, officials and volunteers.
England Korfball recommends a minimum age of 12 for young people to be participating in korfball activities alongside adults, providing risks have been recorded and managed.
Procedure for reporting safeguarding concerns
If anyone who is involved with Guildford Thunder Korfball Club has a safeguarding concern, they must immediately report it to the Club Welfare Officer. The current Club Welfare Officer is Naomi Crump ([email protected]).
You can use:
Serious concerns or imminent risk
If you have a serious concern and you believe that a child (or adult at risk) is at imminent risk, in the first instance you must contact the police using 999.
The Club Welfare Officer should also be informed and will support in contacting the Local Authority Designated Officer and any other relevant authorities (if required).
Other concerns
If you are in doubt as to whether your concern is serious, contact the Club Welfare Officer. The Club Welfare Officer will follow the EK Guidance Policy for managing safeguarding allegations (appendix 2).
If you are not comfortable speaking to the nominated welfare officer please contact the England Korfball Designated Safeguarding Lead during normal working hours: Declan Kohl via email or call 07917 388173.
If out of working hours and the DSL is unavailable, call the NSPCC ([email protected]) who are available 24/7 for help, advice and support: 0808 800 5000. Please then contact the England Korfball DSL during normal working hours.
Code of conduct for players under 18
- Coaches, parents and players mutually decide when players are ready to play in competitive adult matches.
- Under 18 players who are playing in competitive adult matches must sign the ‘EK Under Age Form’ - see ‘EK Guidance on Under 18 Players’ (Appendix 3).
- Treat opponents, team-mates, coaches and referees with respect and use appropriate language
- When you’re with us, stay in the places you’re supposed to be. Don’t wander off or leave without telling a coach.
- Respect everyone in our club by not discriminating against anyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity or ability.
- Report any incidents of bullying, discrimination or behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable to the coaches or the Club Welfare Officer, even if you’re a witness. If you can’t speak to the coaches, tell another adult you trust such as your parent or guardian.
- Use social media responsibly and respectfully when talking about our club. Guidance on collection under age players from training and matches (Appendix 4) 3 Code of Conduct for Parents and Carers Parents have the right to see details of the coaching qualifications of our volunteers and to see proof of their DBS checks. We will communicate directly with parents regarding training, fixtures or anything else regarding their child. For players who are over 16, coaches and captains may (with parents’ consent) contact the child directly but we would also copy the parent into any communication. We would ask parents of children under 18 to:
- Make sure your child has the right clothing and equipment as well as sufficient food and drink for any training sessions or matches.
- Make sure your child arrives on time and is collected punctually. Let us know if they will be collected by a different adult or have your permission to travel home independently.
- Complete consent, contact and medical forms immediately and let us know straight away if anything changes.
- Supervise your children who are under 16 during training or matches (including when using public changing rooms and toilets).
- Talk to the Club Welfare Officer or the Chairman of Guildford Thunder Korfball Club about any concerns you have about your child or any aspect of the club.
- Be positive on the side-lines and encourage your child to show good sportsmanship and respect for officials and coaches.
- Encourage your child to respect our code of conduct.
- Use social media responsibly and respectfully when talking about our club.
Appendix
1. EK Safeguarding and Children Protection Policy
2. EK Guidance Policy for Managing Allegations
3. EK Guidance on Under 18 Participants
4. EK Guidance on Collection and Late Collection for U18 Players