Introduction:-
Southport Cycling Club will be known as SCC throughout this policy. British Cycling will be known as BC throughout this policy. Youth, young people, children, under 18’s will be known as junior throughout this policy.
Everyone who participates in cycling in all is disciplines is entitled to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and to be given the chance to experience the fun, challenge and sense of achievement that are inherent to cycling.
To ensure this, the SCC is committed to devising and implementing policies and procedure to ensure all those involved comply with the BC code of good practice. In addition, all juniors are entitled to a duty of care and to be protected from abuse.
SCC is committed to devising and implementing policies and procedures to ensure all members accept the responsibilities to safeguard juniors from harm and abuse. This means taking action to safeguard juniors and report any concerns about their welfare.
This document sets out, SCC policies and procedures in fulfilment of its belief in and commitment to good practice and junior protection.
Policy Statement:-
SCC fully accepts its legal and moral obligation to provide a duty of care to protect all juniors plus vulnerable adults and safeguarding their welfare, irrespective of age, any disability they have, gender, racial origin, religious belief and sexual identity and will appoint one or more Club Welfare Officers (CWO’s).
In pursuit of this SCC is committed to ensuring.
The welfare of juniors and vulnerable young adults is paramount, and juniors have the right to protection from abuse.
All juniors who take part in cycling should be able to participate in a fun and safe environment.
SCC takes all reasonable and practical steps to protect juniors from harm, discrimination and respond swiftly and appropriately.
All suspicions and allegations of poor practice or abuse will be taken seriously and responded too swiftly and appropriately.
Everyone knows and accepts their responsibilities and works together. Parents, cyclists, coaches, trainee coaches and leaders, commissaires and referees, race officials, team mangers, volunteers and professional staff. Anyone under the age of 18 is considered to be a child/young person (junior). All policies and procedures described refer to vulnerable adults as juniors.
The term parent is used as generic term to represent parents, carers and guardians.
Club Rides:-
Any juniors under the age of 16, must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, when attending the Club Rides.
SCC WhatsApp Groups:-
Juniors must be age 16 and over to participate.
Vulnerable Adult:-
A vulnerable adult is somebody who is 18 years of age and older. Is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness and is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.
A vulnerable adult may be a person who is:-
• Elderly or frail
• Has learning disabilities
• Suffers from mental illness (e.g. dementia, personality disorder).
• Has physical disability. The following is deemed to constitute poor practice and should be avoided.
• Avoid spending excessive amounts of time alone with one junior away from others.
• Avoid taking juniors to your home where they will be alone with you.
• Never engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay.
• Never share a room with a junior.
• Never allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching.
• Never allow juniors to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
• Never make sexually suggestive comments to a junior, even in fun.
• Never reduce a junior to tears as a form of control.
• Never allow allegations made by a junior to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon.
• Never do things of a personal nature for juniors or vulnerable adults that they can do for themselves.
• Never invite or allow juniors to stay with you at your home unsupervised.
• Never condone bullying, rule violations or the use of prohibited substances.
If cases arise where these situations are unavoidable, they should only occur with the full knowledge and consent of the person in charge, or the juniors parents.
If any of the following incidents should occur, you should report them immediately to another colleague, make a written note of the event and inform parents of the incident.
• If you accidentally hurt a cyclist.
• If a junior seems distressed in any manner.
• If a junior appears to be sexually aroused by your actions.
• If a junior misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done.
Responding to suspicions and allegations of abuse:-
1. Abuse could be physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, or bullying behaviour in person or on-line.
2. Allegations of abuse will be taken seriously, SCC will always act if allegations are raised.
3. It is the responsibility of the person who has suspicions or who receives allegations of abuse to report their concerns. It is not for Club members to decide if child abuse is taking place.
4. Concerns will, in the first instance, be reported to the Club Welfare Officer, who will consult with British Cycling’s Safeguarding Lead Officer. If the CWO is not available or is implicated, concerns will be reported directly to British Cycling’s SLO.
5. If the allegations concern physical or sexual abuse, or if the child’s safety is at risk, concerns will be raised immediately with the Local Authority Children’s Social Care Services or the Police.
Photography:-
There is evidence that some people have used sporting events as an opportunity to take inappropriate photographs or film footage of young and disabled sports people in vulnerable positions. SCC, therefore, requires that all personnel wishing to use photographic and or video equipment register their intent and seek clearance from the promoter.
