Child Protection Policy Chesterfield & District Athletics Club fully endorses and enforces the Child Protection Policies of UK Athletics. A copy of which is available from the Clubs Welfare Officer (WO) A Quick guide to Child Protection Promoting good practice with young people helps to prevent abuse. All Coaches, Officials and Volunteer helpers of Chesterfield & District Athletic Club (CDAC) have a duty to report incidents involving children and young people, if they have any concerns about that child or young person. Reporting and recording mechanisms are in place to:- ·Protect the child or young person ·Protect Officials, Coaches and helpers of CDAC Remember:- ·Child abuse is an emotive subject ·Don't allow your emotions to interfere with your judgement ·Abuse can occur at school, home, and in a sporting environment ·Some will seek to work/volunteer in these environments ·Suspicious cases of poor practice should be reported to the WO Forms of Abuse ·Neglect ·Physical Abuse ·Sexual Abuse ·Emotional Abuse Neglect ·Failure to meet basic needs such as food, clothes and love ·Children left alone on a regular basis ·Coaches and officials failing to ensure safety ·Coaches and officials exposing athletes to undue weather elements I.e. Cold Physical Signs                                               ·Constant hunger                                   ·Unkempt state                                       ·Weight loss                                           ·Underweight                                          ·Inappropriate dress    Behavioural Signs ·Missing Medical Appointments ·Truancy or late for school ·Tiredness ·Few friends, a loner ·Regularly alone or unsupervised Physical Abuse ·Hitting, Shaking, Burning, Biting etc ·Giving Drugs, Alcohol or Poison ·Attempted suffocation or deliberate injuring ·Intense training/competition beyond the capacity of the child ·Giving performance enhancing substances Physical signs ·Unexplained bruising or hand marks ·Cigarette burns ·Bite marks ·Broken bones ·Scalds Behavioural Signs ·Fear of parents / fear of going home ·Aggressive or angry ·Running away ·Flinching ·Depression ·Arms and legs covered ·Withdrawn behaviour Sexual Abuse ·Abuse by adults to meet their own sexual needs ·Sexual intercourse: Oral sex, masturbation, fondling etc. ·Showing pornographic material ·Coaching techniques involving physical contact ·Coaches abusing their position may lead to abusive situations developing Physical signs ·Pain/itching or bruising in genital area ·Stomach pains ·Discomfort whilst sitting or walking ·Pregnancy Behavioural signs ·Sudden unexplained changes ·Fear of one person or certain people ·Sexual drawings or language ·Having secrets ·Telling of abuse ·Sexual knowledge ·Running away Emotional Abuse ·Constant threats, taunting, shouting which can cause a child to become nervous ·Persistent lack of love or affection ·Constant criticism, name calling and bullying ·Unrealistic pressure to perform outside of ones capability Physical Signs ·Developmentally delayed ·Sudden speech disorders Behavioural signs ·Neurotic behaviour ·Unable to take part or play ·Fear of making mistakes ·Sudden speech disorders ·Self harm ·Fear of contacting parents Good Practice Guidelines Do Not:- ·Spend time alone with children ·Transport children alone in your car ·Take children home, where they will be alone ·Engage in rough, physical or provocative games ·Share a room alone with children ·Engage in inappropriate touching ·Allow use of inappropriate language ·Make sexually suggestive comments to children ·Allow allegations to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon ·Reduce a child to tears as a form of control If, accidentally by your actions, a child feels hurt, distressed or sexually aroused, then report your actions to the:- Club Welfare Officer or their deputy. Responding to Disclosure Always remember to:- ·React calmly so as not to frighten the child ·Report immediately to the Welfare Officer ·Reassure the child that the allegations will be taken seriously ·Keep questions to a minimum ·Keep full and accurate records Don't:- ·Panic ·Allow shock or distaste to show ·Probe for more information than is offered ·Speculate or make assumptions ·Make negative comments about alleged abuser ·Make promises or agree to keep secrets Keeping Records ·Name of child or young person ·Age and date of birth ·Home address ·Telephone number ·Own concerns, or those of others ·Nature of allegation ·Obtain clear facts ·Description of any bruising etc ·Witness statements ·The Childs account if this can be given ·Have the parents been contacted ·What have parents been told ·Has anyone else been consulted ·Is there an alleged abuser ·Any other relevant information.