Child Protection:

Tooting and Mitcham United Juniors Football Club believes that concern for the general well being and welfare of all children and young persons who are registered at our Football Club is of paramount importance in developing young players of the future. There is also need to provide the setting for a proper concern towards Child Protection. It is hoped to promote and support good outcomes in terms of health, development and education achievement alongside football and sporting excellence.

The purpose of this document is to explain briefly and clearly for staff involved with the Club, outlines of the basic principles of Child Protection. It is intended to cover those issues which are likely to be the most relevant to staff and assist them in their recognition and handling. It is hoped that the information is presented in clear and simple terms to enable staff to be made aware of the processes involved, These guidelines will be supplemented by in-service training and additional guidance where applicable. This document is not intended to be a practice guide for any particular member of staff but to offer advice and assistance.

The protection of the child is the first priority for all staff and volunteers of the Football Club. All staff and volunteers must make themselves aware of the Club's policy and procedures as laid down in the document.

"The protection of children is an issue which the Football Association sees as one of the utmost importance …….." GRAHAM KELLY (The Football Association January 1997)

We should see this issue with equal importance, for the sake of the well being of children under our care, for the sake of the good name of the Club, and for our own personal safeguards as its representatives.

CHILD PROTECTION is a far-reaching subject, and the purpose of this document is to bring to your attention some of the relevant issues currently under examination, and how they may possibly be approached.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS:

CHILD ABUSE:

Types of abuse
What to do if you suspect abuse is taking place

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF

SCREENING OF STAFF

Types:
This can occur in a variety of forms.

Physical
Sexual
Emotional
Neglect

PHYSICAL
This will often be the result of a child being physically hurt by ADULTS or in some cases by OTHER CHILDREN. Usually in the following ways:-

Hitting
Shaking
Burning
Biting
Alcohol abuse
Drug abuse
Attempted drowning/suffocation

LOOK OUT FOR:

Bruising
Fractures
Scars (an unusual number of; new; unusual shapes)
Burn or scald marks
Bite marks (3cm across = made by an adult or older child)
Unusual behaviour
Sudden mood swings
Unwell appearance
Dirty, smelly appearance

EMOTIONAL
Persistent lack of love and affection can damage a child emotionally. Being constantly shouted at, threatened and taunted can lead to nervousness and withdrawal.

LOOK OUT FOR:

Starvation
Insufficient clothing
Often left alone
Lack of affection
Unusual behaviour
Social withdrawal
Repeated injuries due to lack of supervision
Regularly tired/listless with no medial cause
Parental failure to seek appropriate care e.g. opticians, dental, visits to G.P.

YOU CAN ESTABLISH CHILD ABUSE IN A NUMBER OF WAYS

The child may tell you
From another person (adult or child)
Through the child's behaviour
Through visual signs i.e. injury

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT ABUSE HAS OCCURRED? (PAUL WHITE IS THE DESIGNATED PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILD PROTECTION)

The listed signs and symptoms DO NOT NECESSARILY mean that abuse has occurred. HOWEVER if you are concerned about the welfare of the child you must act. DO NOT ASSUME THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL HELP THE CHILD!!

It is your responsibility to take action
Inform a senior member of staff
Ensure senior member of staff takes necessary action by informing designated person

If your information has come from the child then you must do the following:-

Make no promises to act in confidence
Inform the child that it is in their best interests that someone else is informed immediately
Listen with care and consideration and show the child that you take them seriously
Stay calm and do not take any inappropriate action
Do not make any promises you cannot keep
Ask a few simple questions to try to gauge the depth of the problem
Stress to the child that they have done the right thing by telling you and that they are not to blame
INVOLVE A SECOND WITNESS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WRITE THINGS DOWN IF YOU CAN AND GET IT WITNESSED

ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AGAINST A MEMBER OF STAFF

There are occasions when children accuse members of staff of physically or sexually abusing them. These are very serious allegations but in some of the cases these are found to be false or unfounded.

PLEASE REMEMBER HOW TO CONDUCT YOURSELF WHEN IN ONE TO ONE CONTACTS WITH CHILDREN.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!

These guidelines are an attempt to alert staff to be careful in circumstances when for reasons of providing reassurance, restraint or medical attention there is likely to be physical contact with a child.

It is unrealistic to suggest that staff should touch children only in emergencies, particularly when dealing with younger children. However, staff must bear in mind that even perfectly innocent actions can sometimes be misconstrued. Young people may find being touched uncomfortable or distressing for a variety of reasons. It is important to be sensitive to a child's reaction to physical contact and to act accordingly. It is important never to touch children in ways or on parts of the body that might be considered indecent.

There are occasions when there is no alternative to restraining a child physically, in their and others' interests of safety. No more than minimum necessary force should be used and such interventions should be made only when they are likely to succeed. Always call for another adults' assistance immediately.

The purpose of intervention must be to restore safety, and restraint should not continue longer than absolutely necessary.

Physical contact and restraint should never be used in anger. Staff should seek to avoid any injury to the child and are not expected to restrain a child if by doing so will put themselves at risk.

IF A CHILD MAKES AN ALLEGATION OF ABUSE AGAINST ANOTHER MEMBER OF STAFF YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES SET OUT PREVIOUSLY

AND REMEMBER:

The child's welfare is of paramount importance
Refer the matter to a senior member of staff, if possible the designated person
When reporting cases of alleged child abuse by another member of staff it will be understood that there will be a high degree of stress, including feelings of guilt for having reported the matter

THE RECORDING OF ABUSE

The designated person, Paul White, will ask for a written factual statement from the person making the report.
If the report involves allegation about another member of staff, that person will also be asked to write a brief report. If any statement has been made by the child, this should be reported in the child's own words. These reports should be confined to facts and should not include any opinion, interpretation or judgement.
The Club will ensure that any child concerned is immediately removed from any possible risk of harm.
Child protection investigations into possible abuse will require careful management. They can be complex and require particular experience and expertise, and wherever practicable, should be undertaken by staff who specialise in such work. The designated person should consult and take the advice of the Police/Social Services before setting up an internal inquiry and take their advice on informing the child's parents/guardians. In any case of suspected abuse, as soon as the local Social Services Department has been informed, the Club must provide a report to the Club's Chairman.
All information will be dealt with confidentially, and shared only with the people who need to or must know.
If the designated person is suspected, the staff members forming such suspicions must go to the Club's Chairman who must inform the local authority Social Services Department.

General:

All potential staff and volunteers will be checked as to their suitability to work with children

As part of their induction training, the Club will emphasise to all members that they are under a duty to report immediately to the designated person any concerns they have over the possible abuse of the children.

The designated person should provide guidance and appropriate support to any member of staff or volunteer who make a report of suspected abuse.

Parents should be supported and guided by their own area Social Services Child Protection Team.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DESIGNATED PERSON ARE:-

To undertake training in the recognition and investigation of child abuse.
To develop knowledge and skills in recognising possible cases of abuse.
To develop knowledge of the procedures involved in reporting abuse.
To make this knowledge available to staff in individual consultation and in-service training.
To manage the process of referring cases of abuse to Social Services by:-
(a) ensuring all staff know who is the designated person.
(b) Ensuring that all staff know that concerns about abuse or possible abuse are brought to the designated person or in his/her absence to the most senior member of staff.
(c) Deciding, after discussion with the relevant parties, if the case should be referred or not, or if further clarification should be sought from the parents on any point.
(d) Ensuring decisions and facts are recorded.
(e) Reporting the case to the Social Services.
(f) Confirming the referral in writing
Be a contact point for agencies needing to contact the Club about child protection matters.
Identify the need for support that any employee may have when involved in an abuse case. Having liaison with any necessary parties on how support can be offered.

SCREENING OF STAFF

"The Football Association has been campaigning for the widening of legislation relating to the ability of private bodies to carry out criminal record checks on prospective employees and volunteers. Previously, the ability to carry out checks has only been available to private bodies, such as schools.

"Under the Police Bill a body such as the Football Association will be able to register itself with the Home Office as being capable of receiving criminal records or other information from the relevant police agencies. Our proposal is that the Football Association should act as a central clearing house for this information for anyone who has contact with children through football………"

GRAHAM KELLY (The Football Association January 1997).

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PROPOSALS

That all persons involved, either as employees or volunteers, with junior teams or Clubs associated with The Football Association or it Affiliated Associations, should be the subject of a screening process.
Adults involved in tours, either overseas or within the United Kingdom should be subject to a screening and approval process.
With reference to Coaching Qualifications………..it is considered that it is important, in conjunction with Affiliated Association, a screening process is in place for all persons wishing to obtain such qualifications. It is a pre-condition of obtaining any Football Association qualification that an applicant complies with screening provisions. We are also to take a retrospective process in relation to those who have already obtained a coaching qualification.
All employees and volunteers associated with the Club will be required to be screened This will require the club to be satisfied as to the suitability of an employee or volunteer, including the provision of proof of no record to debar from employment.

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION JANUARY 1997