Safeguarding children and child protection policy

Paul Sculthorpe Rugby League Skills & Development LTD fully recognises it's responsibilities for child protection.

1. Ensuring safe recruitment, checking suitability of all Scully13 coaches and volunteers to work with children.
2. Raising awareness to Scully13 coaches and volunteers of child protection issues, and equipping children with the skills needed to keep them safe.
3. Developing and implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases of abuse.
4. Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.
5. Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to and to observe outward signs of abuse
6. Ensure that children know that there are coaches whom they can approach if they are worried
7. Ensure PSRL S & DEV LTD have a senior coach who has appropriate training and support for child protection
8. Ensure all coaches and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and referring any concerns to the serior coach responsible for child protection.
9. Ensure that parents understand the responsibility placed on PSRL S & DEV LTD and it's coaches for child protection by making this policy available to parents at any time.
10. Develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate with their enquiries regarding child protection matters.
11. Keep written records of concerns about children whether referenced or not, and ensure such records are kept locked and secure.
12. Develop and follow procedures, where an allegation is made against any coach, volunteer, parent or member of the public.

PSRL S & DEV LTD recognises that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth, feeling helpless, humiliated and having a sense of blame.

Involvement with PSRL S & DEV LTD may provide some stability and security in the lives of children at risk. Their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn.

PSRL S & DEV LTD will endeavour to support children through:-

1. Content of coaching sessions and disciplines.
2. The company ethos of providing a positive, supportive and secure environment, giving children a sense of value.

Behaviour Policy

This policy is aimed at supporting vulnerable children.

Scully13 coaches will ensure that children know that some behaviour is unacceptable.

Scully13 coaches are trained to treat all children fairly, recognising that each is an individual.

Scully13 coaches aim to provide a challenging experience, learning and developing Rugby League skills in an enjoyable environment.

Scully13 coaches continually encourage positive and good behaviour from every child through recognising and rewarding such behaviour.

Procedure for dealing with inappropriate behaviour

1. Head coach to try to deal with situation.
2. If unseccessful, will remove child/children from group, having a witness present.
3. If unsuccessful, parent or guardian will be asked to collect child/children.
4. Inappropriate behaviour will be recorded and shared with parents when necessary.

Anti bullying policy

Bullying will not be tolerated. If a child feels that they are being bullied, then they are encouraged to report this to the head coach. Any incident of bullying will be recorded on a behaviour report.

If bullying is proven, then appropriate action will be taken. If an incident is of a seriour nature, the relevant parent or guardian will be informed and in some cases the removal of the child from the coaching session will be considered.

It may be worth bearing in mind that the bully may have problems of their own, resulting in this behaviour and needs to be dealt with fairly and sensitively.

There may be reasons for bullying but there are no excuses for such behaviour.

Accident reporting

Any incidents (ie administering first aid) will be documented by the head coach and parents made aware.

If any serious accident takes place, parents will be contacted immediately.

Contacting parents/guardians

Parents will be contacted in the event of a serious injury or an event such as:-

1. A child has a broken or suspected broken bone
2. A child is unable to participate due to a serious illness
3. A child is seriously unhappy during a session
4. A child sudffers a bang to the head which may have resulted in concussion
5. Any situation resulting in hospitalisation
6. A child has serious behaviour problems

Medication

Scully13 coaches will only administer prescribed medication to a child, provided that written consent from a parent or guardian has been recorded.

PSRL S & DEV LTD advise parents to send children to coaching sessions with plenty of sunscreen.

Uncollected children

Scully13 coaches will remain until children have been collected by a parent or guardian. No unauthorised adult will be allowed to take a child away.

Health & Safety

PSRL S & DEV.LTD is comprehensively covered in both Public and Employers Liability Insurance.
PSRL S & DEV.LTD receives expert advice, support and protection in Health & Safety from RBS Mentor.
Anyone wishing to inspect the Health & Safety Workbook, Risk Assessment file or Health & Safety Compliance Audit may do so on request.

Concerns and complaints procedure

Should anyone have any concerns or complaints about Scully 13 coaches or sessions, they should firstly contact the head coach who will log such complaints. PSRL S & DEV LTD will respond within 24 hours and record an entry in our database including subsequent details, and the necessary action will be taken.

Once an complaint is investigated, a written report will be returned to the complainant.