Longniddry Bowling Club
Child & Wellbeing & Protection Policy
Longniddry Bowling Club is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of children in its care and recognises the responsibility to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse, and exploitation. Harm is defined as all harmful conduct, including poor practice, wellbeing concerns, and child abuse. For the purposes of this policy and associated procedures, a child is recognised as someone under the age of 18 years.
Our committee and volunteers will work together to create a safe environment for children and young people, whilst embracing diversity and respecting the rights of children and young people. This document outlines Longniddry Bowling Club’s commitment to protecting children.
This policy is based on the following principles:
- The welfare of children is the primary concern.
- All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, socio- economic status, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from all forms of harm and abuse.
- Child protection is everyone’s responsibility.
- Children have the right to express views on all matters which affect them, should they wish to do so.
- Organisations shall work in partnership together with children and parents/carers to promote the welfare, health, and development of children.
Longniddry Bowling Club will:
- Promote the health and welfare of children by providing opportunities for them to take part in bowls safely.
- Respect and promote the rights, wishes and feelings of children.
- Promote and implement appropriate procedures to safeguard the well-being of children and protect them from abuse including organising and processing PVG checks and making suitability decisions based on the information provided by Disclosure Scotland.
- Recruit, train, support and supervise staff, members and volunteers to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect children from abuse and to reduce risk to themselves.
- Require staff, members, and volunteers to adopt and abide by this Child Wellbeing and Protection Policy and associated procedures.
- Respond to any allegations of misconduct or abuse of children in line with this Policy and associated procedures as well as implementing, where appropriate, the relevant disciplinary and appeals procedures.
- Observe guidelines issued by local Child Protection Committees for the protection of children.
- Regularly monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Policy and the associated procedures.
The Club will:
- Adhere to the guidelines and procedures contained within this policy.
- Ensure the club has its own safeguarding policy.
- Appoint a Wellbeing and Protection Officer.
- Accept that all office and committee members have a responsibility in this area and be prepared to respond to any indication of wellbeing concerns, poor practice and abuse.
- Promote an environment where concerns can be raised without fear of victimization or reprisal.
- Maintain confidentiality, should an allegation be made, of the child and the person against whom the allegation is made.
- Report any serious incident of wellbeing concerns, poor practice, or abuse to Bowls Scotland
- Be prepared to challenge and alter bad practice.
- Ensure all those coming into the club to work with children are PVG checked and safely recruited. Including accepting suitability decisions made by Longniddry Bowling Club based on information provided by Disclosure Scotland.
The Club Wellbeing and Protection Officer will:
- Counsel/advise the club committee on matters of policy relating to child wellbeing, poor practice and protection and safe recruitment.
- Ensure all persons working with children and young people at the club are fully aware of what is required of them within the guidelines of Longniddry Bowling Club’s child wellbeing & protection policy and code of practice.
- Ensure the administrative work associated with the processing of information on members PVG scheme applications is carried out.
- Maintain club records to ensure all persons within the club who work with children have a satisfactory PVG check.
- Liaise closely with the club coaches, ensuring that the agreed procedures for the prevention of risk are followed.
- Be the first point of contact for coaches, helpers, parents, and members on any issue. concerning the wellbeing of the club members, (poor practice or potential alleged abuse).
- Ensure that all incidents are correctly recorded and reported in accordance with Longniddry Bowling Club policy and procedure.
Review
This Policy and associated procedures will be regularly reviewed:
- In accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection of children or following any changes within Longniddry Bowling Club
- Following any issues or concerns raised about the protection of children within Longniddry Bowling Club.
- In all other circumstances, at least every three years.
Questions about this policy should be directed to:
Wellbeing & Protection Officer at Longniddry Bowling Club