Legal

Child-Protection

Procedures for Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults

What is a “CRB” check?

The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), an Executive Agency of the Home Office, provides wider access to criminal record information through its disclosure service.  This service enables organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to make safer recruitment decisions by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable for certain work, especially those that involve children or vulnerable adults.  The CRB was established under Part V of the Police Act 1997 and was launched in March 2002.

• Who is CRB checked? All coaches, and regular helpers, who wish to coach for the Club are requested to complete a CRB check. If they are not prepared to submit a CRB application form then they are not eligible to take part in coaching of children, young or vulnerable people organised by the club. A list of members who have been CRB checked is available to club members, parents and carers on the club noticeboard.

• What about those not yet CRB checked? A coach or helper who has submitted a CRB form, but the club has not yet received a response may take part in coaching of children, young or vulnerable people under the supervision of another club member with a successful CRB check. In the case that the club has no members available with successful CRB check then 2 members who have submitted CRB applications may supervise one another.

• What about ‘one-off’ helpers and parents? Club members or parents who are not regular helpers who offer to help on a one off basis are asked to complete a self disclosure form.  After submitting this form they are eligible to assist in the coaching of children, young or vulnerable people under the supervision of a member of the club who has been successfully CRB checked. If such a person offers to help again more than once (i.e. 3 times altogether), they are considered to be a regular helper and must be CRB checked as above.

• What about Committee members? Committee members are requested to complete a CRB check if they are prepared to assist with coaching of children or young/vulnerable people because they are often the first to be asked to assist with coaching, managing events or leading trips.

Please note that the CRB check is a one-off snapshot and cannot be taken as a guarantee of a person’s trustworthiness.  Conversely, there can also be a variety of reasons for a person’s not having had a CRB check and so the absence of a CRB check cannot be taken to imply that the person is necessarily unsuitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.  However, the club will always seek to ensure that only adults who have been CRB checked work with children and vulnerable adults. Please continue to use your own discretion and knowledge of club members to help you make the decision to entrust yourself and others to their care or leadership.

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Good Practice Guidelines for the Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults

Viking Kayak Club appreciates the great contribution to the club made by coaches and other adults who give their time to encourage others in the sports of kayaking and canoeing. Following these guidelines will help you to protect the children and vulnerable adults in our sport from abuse as well as protecting yourselves as coaches/helpers from wrongful allegations.

SUPERVISING COACHES & HELPERS SHOULD ALWAYS:

• avoid situations where they are alone with one child. The BCU acknowledges that occasionally there may be no alternative, for example, where a child falls ill and has to be taken home. However, one to one contact must never be allowed to occur on a regular basis. Further guidance on this is contained in the BCU Code of Ethics/scUK Code of Conduct.
• ask parents/carers to be responsible for children or vulnerable adults in changing rooms where possible.
• work in pairs when supervising young people and vulnerable adults.
• ensure that, wherever possible, mixed teams/groups paddling away from home are accompanied by a male and female adult coach/helper.
• ensure that the nature and intensity of training does not exceed the capacity of a child's immature and growing body.
• discourage physically rough or sexually provocative games, or inappropriate talking or touching.
• follow the BCU guidelines for use of video & photography

If any form of physical support is required:

• ask the paddler's permission
• explain what you are doing and why to both the child and their parents/carers.
• make sure you have another adult accompanying you, if it's necessary to do things of a personal nature for children or disabled adults.
• get the consent of the parent/carer and, if possible, the child him/herself.

• ensure that any claims of abuse by a child are taken seriously and dealt with by the appointed person in the club: Wendy Buckingham 01234 768885
• Publicise the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0800 800 500