ICKLEFORD SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB

CHILD WELFARE POLICY STATEMENT

Ickleford Sports and Recreation Club is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people. It recognises its responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation. 

Ickleford Sports and Recreation Club acknowledges its duty to act appropriately to any allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse. Volunteers and paid staff will endeavour to work together to encourage the development of an ethos which embraces difference and diversity and respects the rights of children, young people and adults.

In implementing this child protection policy Ickleford Sports and Recreation Club will:

•	Ensure that for each organisation that uses the facility and involves children and young people, there is an appointed Child Welfare Officer and appropriate Child Welfare policies and procedures in place;
•	Ensure that all volunteers and workers understand their legal and moral responsibility to protect children and young people from harm, abuse and exploitation;
•	Ensure that all volunteers and workers understand their responsibility to work to the standards that are detailed in the organisation’s Child Protection Procedures and work at all times towards maintaining high standards of practice;
•	Ensure that all volunteers/workers understand their duty to report concerns that arise about a child or young person, or a volunteer/worker’s conduct towards a child/young person, to the organisation’s named person for child protection;
•	Ensure that the named person understands his/her responsibility to refer any child protection concerns to the statutory child protection agencies (i.e. Police and/or Social Worker);
•	Ensure that any procedures relating to the conduct of volunteers/workers are implemented in a consistent and equitable manner;
•	Provide opportunities for all volunteers/workers to develop their skills and knowledge particularly in relation to the welfare and protection of children and young people;
•	Ensure that children and young people are enabled to express their ideas and views on a wide range of issues and will have access to the organisation’s Complaints Procedure;
•	Ensure that parents/carers are encouraged to be involved in the work of the organisation and, when requested, have access to all guidelines and procedures;
•	Endeavour to keep up-to-date with national developments relating to the welfare and protection of children and young people.

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Chairman of Ickleford Sports and Recreation Club
August 2012