Child Protection Policy

Introduction

The introduction of this Child Protection Policy should be seen as a clear signal by Grange Park Cricket Club that it is determined to ensure all necessary steps are taken to protect form harm, those children and young people who participate in cricket at all levels. The policy establishes the club’s position, role and responsibilities and clarifies what is expected of other organisations and individuals involved in cricket.

It very clearly highlights the importance placed by Grange Park Cricket Club on the protection of children and young people.

The Policy

Every child and young person who plays cricket should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in cricket. We recognise, however, that child abuse is also a very emotive and difficult subject. It is important to understand the feelings involved but not to allow them to interfere with our judgement about any action to be taken.

The cricket club recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying.

Grange Park Cricket Club offer wide ranging cricket opportunities for children and young people, in doing so the club will provide the highest possible standard of care. Clear practices and procedures, in addition to a detailed training programme, will ensure that everyone knows exactly what is expected of them in relation to the protection of children and young people. It is essential that those children and young people attracted to and participating in cricket are able to so in a quality, safe and enjoyable environment.

In striving to attain this, GPCC has laid the following objectives;

• a requirement that GPCC, which provides the opportunity for persons to work with children and young people up to the age of eighteen, includes this policy statement concerning child protection.

• To provide ongoing development and training opportunities to every age level of the cricket club.

The aims of this Child Protection Policy are;

• To develop a positive and pro-active position in order to best protect all children and young people, who play cricket under the Grange Park banner, enabling them to participate in cricket in an enjoyable and safe environment.
• To demonstrate best practice in the area of child protection.
• To promote ethics and high standards throughout all levels of cricket at GPCC.

The key principles underpinning this Policy are that;

• the child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration,
• all children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual identity,
• all suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately,

Working in partnership with children and young people and their parents/carers is essential. Social Services Depts have a statutory responsibility to ensure the welfare of children and young people.

1. Any act, statement, conduct or other matter which harms a child or children, or poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children, shall constitute behaviour which is improper and shall result in a club investigation and disciplinary procedure,
2. in these regulations the expression “offence” shall mean any one or more of the offences contained in Schedule 1 to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and any other criminal offence which reasonably causes the cricket club to believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children,
3. upon receipt by the cricket club of;

3.1  notification that an individual has been charged with an offence; or

3.2  notification that an individual is the subject of an investigation by the Police, Social Services or any other authority relating to an offence; or

3.3  any other information which cause GPCC reasonably to believe that a person poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children then GPCC shall suspend the individual from all or any specific cricket activity for such period and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.

4. In reaching its determination as to whether an order under regulation 3 should be made the club shall give consideration, inter alia, to the following factors;-

4.1  whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm,

4.2  whether the matters are of a serious nature,

4.3  whether an order is necessary or desirable to allow the conduct of any investigation by the club or any other authority or body to proceed unimpeded,

5. the period of an order referred to in 3 above shall not be capable of lasting beyond the date upon which any charge under the rules of The Association or any offence is decided or brought to an end
6. Notification in writing of an order referred to above shall be given to the person concerned.

Conclusion

Through confirming this Policy Document, GPCC has indicated its determination to ensure that children and young people can participate in all forms of cricket activity and do so with their safety being of paramount importance.

It is essential that this document is representative of a process of continual improvement in the area of child protection within the cricket club. It is for all adults engaged in cricket activities to promote good practice and procedures, whilst being ever vigilant and aware of their responsibilities towards the children and young people in their care.