The Club has adopted the British Canoeing Safe Guarding Children Policy. A copy of the policy can be found in Club Documents.  The Club has a responsibility to safeguard and promote the interests and well being of children, to take all reasonable practical steps to protect them from harm, discrimination, or degrading treatment, and to respect their rights, wishes and feelings.

It is the responsibility of every adult member of the Club to protect children from abuse. In this context, a child is considered to be anyone under 18 years of age. The sporting environment is only one of several in which abuse can occur, others being the school and the home. Everyone in canoeing, either voluntary or paid, should safeguard the welfare of children and prevent their abuse. Abuse may be physical, sexual, emotional or neglect. The Club promotes good practice in canoeing and related activities in order to reduce situations for the abuse of children and to protect volunteers and others (see the section titled "Good Practice Guidelines").

If you suspect any form of child abuse or feel that as a child you have been abused in any way or wish to make a complaint, please tell someone immediately. Please contact our welfare officers (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you have any concerns.

It is important for all of us to recognise that our Club has both a moral, and possibly legal, obligation to ensure that children should have the highest possible standard of care whilst participating in any canoeing or associated activities.

Cambridge Canoe Club Committee

November 2023

Cambridge Canoe Club
CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURE

In order to protect children and junior club members, it is important that all coaches and any individual who may be in a position of supervising young people should be aware of the Club's Child Protection Procedure specified below:

  1. Definitions. "The Club" refers to Cambridge Canoe Club. "To coach", in this context, refers to any leadership position in any organised club activity including but not limited to courses, holiday clubs, taster sessions, trips, and activities advertised through club communications.
  2. Policy. The Club follows the British Canoeing Safe Guarding Children Policy. A copy of this policy can be found in club documents
  3. Who is DBS (Disclosure and Barring scheme) checked. All coaches, and regular helpers, who wish to coach for the Club are requested to complete a DBS check. If they are not prepared to submit a DBS application form then they are not eligible to take part in coaching of children, young or vulnerable people.
  4. Successful  DBS check. Anyone for whom the club receives a DBS check indicating no previous convictions for a relevant crime is eligible to take part in coaching of children, young or vulnerable people.
  5. Failed DBS check. Anyone for whom the club receives a DBS check indicating previous convictions for a relevant crime is not eligible to take part in coaching of children, young or vulnerable people.
  6. Not yet DBS checked. A coach or helper who has submitted a DBS form, but the club has not yet received a response may take part in coaching of children, young or vulnerable people under the supervision of another club member with a successful DBS check. In the case that the club has no members available with successful DBS check then 2 members who have submitted CRB applications may supervise one another.
  7. One off helpers and parents. Club members or parents who are not regular helpers who offer to help on a one off basis are asked to complete a self-disclosure form. After submitting this form they are eligible to assist in the coaching of children, young or vulnerable people under the supervision of a member of the club who has been successfully DBS checked. If such a person offers to help again more than once (i.e. 3 times altogether), they are considered to be a regular helper and must be DBS checked as above.
  8. Committee members. Committee members are requested to complete a DBS check if they are prepared to assist with coaching of children, young or vulnerable people on the basis that they are the most likely to be asked first to assist with coaching.

QUESTION:

Does the policy apply to a course with mostly adults and only one or two young people?
--- Yes because we cannot assume any responsibility taken by other adults on the course/activity unless they are the parents/guardians of the young people.

It is also important that all coaches and any other individuals who may be in a position of supervising juniors should follow the British Canoeing Safe Guarding Children Policy. A copy of this policy can be found in club documents

Good Practice Guidelines

By following these guidelines you will help to protect both the children in our sport and our coaches/helpers from wrongful allegations.

  • Avoid situations where you are alone with one child. The BCU acknowledges that occasionally there may be no alternative, for example, where a child falls ill and has to be taken home. We would stress, however, that one to one contact must never be allowed to occur on a regular basis.
  • If any form of physical support is required ask the paddler's permission, explain what you are doing and why to both the child and their parents/carers.
  • Where possible ask parents/carers to be responsible for children in changing rooms. Always ensure that whoever supervises young people work in pairs.
  • Where there are mixed teams/groups away from home, they should always be accompanied by an adult male and female coach/helper.
  • Don't allow physically rough or sexually provocative games, or inappropriate talking or touching.
  • If it's necessary to do things of a personal nature for children who are young or disabled, make sure you have another adult accompanying you. Get the consent of the parent/carer and if possible the child. Let them know what you are doing and why.
  • Ensure that any claims of abuse by a child are taken seriously and that it is dealt with by people who know what to do.
  • Ensure that the nature and intensity of training does not exceed the capacity of a child's immature and growing body.
  • Follow the Birtish Canoeing guidelines for use of photograph and filming equipoment. A copy of these guideliens can be found in club documents
  • Publicise the NSPCC Child protection Helpline 0800 800 500

I confirm that I have read and understand this Child Protection Policy Document and accept the above mentioned procedures.

PRINT NAME:

Signed:

Date: