Acknowledgements

Updated February 2013

The Scottish Gymnastics Association (SGA) would like to acknowledge the following publications and organisations that have supported this document:

NCF:-National Coaching Foundation: Guidance for National Governing Bodies on Child Protection Procedures

SAF:-Scottish Athletics Federation – SAFe CHILD – A Child Protection Policy

ASA:-Amateur Swimming Association – Child Protection in Swimming

BG:-British Gymnastics – Procedures and Guidelines

Sportscotland-Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection (Model Policy and Procedures)

CRBS-Training and Guidance on Recruitment and Disclosure Process

Children 1st-Training and Guidance on Child Protection Issues

THIS POLICY IS STILL CURRENT BUT IS UNDER REVIEW AT THIS PRESENT TIME.

THE UPDATED POLICY WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORLTY

© Scottish Gymnastics

Any section of this policy may be photocopied for non profit-making teaching purposes within educational institutions or for coach education. Apart from these specific permissions, no part of this policy may be included in any publication, magazine, newsletteror journal, or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of Scottish Gymnastics.

Child Protection in Gymnastics

C O N T E N T S

SectionPage

1Introduction4

2Guidance and Legislation5
3Responsibilities6
4Actions Taken by Scottish Gymnastics7

5Monitoring Procedures7

6Equity8

7Types of Abuse & Identifying Abuse in Sport8

8Abuse of Position of Trust13

9Grooming14

10Emotions when dealing with allegations15

11Responding to Complaints - Alleged /Suspected Incidents16

12Quick Guide to Procedures if you suspect abuse18

13Incident Report Form19

14Disciplinary Procedures21

15Promoting Good Practice21

16Code of Practice for coaches and Officials22

17Team Management/Travel26

18Hosting26

19First Aid26

20Photography26

21Internet & Social Media26

AppendicesPage

Appendix 1Guidelines for the Identification & Management of Bullying27

Appendix 2Whistle Blowing29

Appendix 3Supporting Special Needs Access30

Appendix 4Failure to Collect a Child31

Appendix 5Missing Child32

Appendix 6Photography & Internet/Social Media33

Data Protection Advice35

Useful Contact Details36

Child Protection Policy

This document encompasses a Child Protection Policy, Safe Recruitment Policy and a Code of Ethics for all members of Scottish Gymnastics

1. Introduction:

Sport can and does have a very powerful and positive influence on people - especially children, young people and protected adults. Not only can sport provide opportunities for enjoyment and achievement, it can also help those who participate to develop valuable qualities and skills such as self-esteem, leadership and teamwork. These positive effects can only take place if sport is in the right hands i.e. in the hands of those who place the welfare of all children, young people and protected adults first and adopt practices that support, protect and empower them.

Scottish Gymnastics accept that the welfare and safety of children, young people and protected adults is the responsibility of everyone in the sport, whether paid staff or volunteer. As an organisation we are committed to not only developing policies and procedures but to providing information and training opportunities to ensure those working with these groups adopt best practice and that at all times no child, young person, protected adult, coach or official is placed at risk.

This policy will apply to all children and young people up to the age of 18 as well as protected adults.

Child:

A child is defined as anyone less than 16 years of age.

16 to 18 year olds: Young people aged 16 to 18 years are sometimes classified as children in Scotland. In terms of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, a 16 to 18 year old will be regarded as a child if he/sheis subject to a supervision requirement through a Children's Hearing.

For the purposes of Part V of the Police Act 1997 a child is defined as anyone under the age of 18 years.

Protected adults:

The term protected adult refers to any person aged 16 or over whom for the time being:

Is unable to safeguard his/her own welfare or properly manage his/her financial affairs, and is in one or more of the following categories:

A person in need of care and attention by reason of either infirmity or the effects of ageing

A person suffering from an illness or mental disorder

A person substantially handicapped by a disability

Protected adults may be in need of health or social support services and may be unable eitherto take care of themselves and/or to protect themselves from harm or exploitation.

A number of studies suggest that children and protected adults are at increased risk of abuse. Various factors contribute to this such as stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, isolation and a powerlessness to protect themselves, or adequately communicate that abuse has occurred.

Terminology – For the purposes of this policy, the words “children” or “child” refer to children and young adults up to the age of 18.

Key Principles

The key principles that underwrite this policy are:

  • The welfare of all children and protected adults is paramount
  • All children and protected adultswhatever their age, culture, ability, disability, gender, language, racial origin, parental status, religious belief and/or sexual identity or socio/economic background have the right to protection from harm,
  • All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
  • It is everyone’s responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of children and protected adults
  • Clubs and other organisations will be provided with the appropriate documentation, education/training and support to ensure the implementation of this Policy
  • Adults working with children are provided with opportunities for education and training to ensure best practice becomes the norm
  • Working in partnership with children and their parents/carers is essential for the protection of the child.

The SGA recognise the statutory responsibility of Local Authority Social Work and Police Departments to ensure the welfare of children and it is committed to complying with Local Area Child Protection Procedures.

2. GUIDANCE & LEGISLATION

The Scottish Gymnastics Child Protection Policy and supporting procedures are based on the following legislation and guidance:

Legal Framework

Children (Scotland) Act 1995

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995

Police Act 1997

Sex Offenders Act 1997

Human Rights Act 1998

Data Protection Act 1998

Sexual Offences (amendments) Act 2000

Disclosure Scotland Code of Conduct “Making Scotland Safer” 2002

Disclosure Scotland Code of Conduct “Protecting the Vulnerable by Safer Recruitment”

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, the Exclusions and Exceptions (Scotland) order 2003

Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003

Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007

3. RESPONSIBILITIES

Scottish Gymnastics strives to ensure that children, young people and protected adults are protected and kept safe from harm whilst participating in gymnastics activities. We will endeavor to promote the highest standards of care for participants. For effective implementation of this policy all gymnastics providers must work in partnership, each with a role to ensure the protection of the children and protected adultsin their care.

Roles

SGA will:

  • Provide and implement robust procedures, support and guidanceto safeguard the well being of all participants.
  • Strive to ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and protecting children and protected adults.
  • Strive to ensure a culture of listening to and engaging in dialogue with children
  • Develop appropriate whistle blowing procedures and a culture that enables issues about the protection of children and protected adults to be addressed.
  • Adopt best practice in recruitment and training of employees and volunteers
  • Require all clubs registered with SGA and all members adopt theAssociation’sChild Protection Policy.
  • Require all clubs to adhere to the Association’s Safe Recruitment Policy
  • Require all those who work with children including those who act in a pastoral role whilst on trips,to attend child protection training
  • Respond to all allegations and concerns, swiftly and appropriately.
  • Initiate Disciplinary proceedings when necessary
  • Provide Education, Training andSupport to the Child Protection Co-ordinators and to Clubs
  • Monitor the operation of this policy

The club will:

  • Adhere to the guidelines and procedures contained within this policy
  • Appoint a Child Protection Co-ordinator
  • Ensure all those coming into the club to work with children and protected adults regardless of whether in a paid or voluntary capacity, are Safely Recruited in accordance with the SGA Recruitment Policy
  • Accept that all Office and Committee members also have a responsibility in this area and be prepared to respond to any indication of abuse
  • Be prepared to challenge and alter bad practice
  • Implement any recommendations of SGA relating to this area
  • Promote an open door policy
  • Promote an environment where all legitimate concerns can be raised without fear of victimisation or reprisal
  • Ensure all those working with children including those who act in a pastoral role whilst on trips; attend the relevant SGA organised Child Protection Course.
  • Ensure that the SGA’s equity policy is adhered to, and that discrimination is prohibited at all levels
  • Maintain confidentiality, should an allegation be made, of the child and the person against whom the allegation is made

The Child Protection Co-ordinator will:

  • Ensure all persons working with children, young people and protected adults at the club are fully aware of what is required of them within the guidelines of the Associations Code of Practice
  • Ensure all those working with children and protected adults are recruited in accordance with the Association’s Safe Recruitment procedures
  • Be the first point of contact for coaches, helpers, parents and gymnasts on any issues concerning the well being of the club members, (poor practice or potential alleged abuse).
  • Conduct the administrative work associated with the safe recruitment of coaches, helpers and officials, including criminal record checks (verify ID documentation)
  • Liaise closely with the clubs trainee coaches, ensuring that the agreed procedures for the prevention of risk are followed
  • Act as adviser, when required, to the club’s management committee on matters of policy & procedures related to Child Protection and Recruitment
  • Ensure that all those working with children and protected adults attend the relevant SGA organised Child Protection Course
  • Ensure that all incidents are correctly recorded and reported in accordance with SGA policy and procedures

4. ACTIONS TAKEN BY SCOTTISH GYMNASTICS

Scottish Gymnastics Association (SGA) has appointed a Head of Child Protection. This person will work closely with the appropriate agencies responsible for Ethics and Child Protection and will represent Scotland on the British Gymnastics Ethics Focus Group.

  • SGAhas produced guidelines on “Safe Recruitment” of all staff whether paid or voluntary.
  • SGA has established a semi-independent Case Referral Group, to ensure all child protection related incidents are appropriately managed.
  • SGA maintains confidential records of complaints, concerns and sanctions.
  • SGA has complaints and disciplinary procedures in place as per the Association’s Constitution and Disciplinary Code of Practice.
  • SGA has produced a Complaints: Process and Guidance booklet for clubs
  • SGAundertakes a regular review of this policy in the light of legislative, governance or procedural changes.
  • Health, Safety and Child Protection are included within Scottish Gymnastics’ coach education programmes
  • SGA extensively promote best practice through mailings, newsletters, on-line bulletins, training and education.
  • Coaches, Officials and Clubs are advised to follow guidelines set down by the Association
  • SGA inform British Gymnastics of any incidents or allegations of poor practice or abuseand co-ordinates a joint approach to such practices where appropriate.
  • SGA is a Registered Body with CRBS and facilitates a criminal records check service onbehalf of registered clubs, to prevent unsuitable people from working within the sport.

5. MONITORING PROCEDURES

The Scottish Gymnastics’ Child Protection policy and procedures will be regularly monitored and a full policy review will take place tri-annually. The policy will also be reviewed in the following circumstances:

  • As a result of any changes in legislation
  • As a result of any changes in governance of the sport
  • Following a procedural review as a result of a significant case

6. Equity:

SGA fundamentally believes that unlawful discrimination is unacceptable. SGA will endeavour through our policies, procedures, actions and decision making, to ensure that no employee, member or volunteer receives less favourable treatment or is discriminated against on the grounds of race, disability, gender, religious or political belief, sexual orientation, age, social background, marital status or pregnancy.

We believe the principles of equity should be integral to every aspect of our sport - development, delivery, decision-making - and everyone working in gymnastics whether in a paid or voluntary capacity should give due regard to equity as a matter of course

7. Abuse:

Abuse of children can occur in any environment where there are young people, including the home, at school or in a sports club. Although children and protected adults are more likely to be abused by people they know and trust in their family, cases of abuse have occurred in gymnastics. SGA acknowledges that as gymnastics provides significant access to children, it can present opportunities for individuals who want to harm children. Therefore it is vital that those who have regular contact with children recognise the signs and indicators that a child or protected adult may be being abused and know the appropriate steps to take to report these concerns.

Coaches and officials may be best placed to help in identifying concerns, and indicators of possible abuse or neglect, at an early stage and referring those concerns to SGA and the appropriate statutory organisation.

Types of Abuse

All forms of child abuse involve the elements of a power imbalance, exploitation and the absence of true consent, whether they concern acts of commission or acts of omission.

Lord Clyde in his report*[1] suggested that:

“abuse is the wrongful application of power by someone in a dominant position”.

There has been growing awareness that the abuse of children can take many forms.

The Report of the Enquiry into the removal of children from Orkney in February 1991

SIGNS OF PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL CHILD ABUSE

It is important to remember this is not definitive or exhaustive. Any of these signs or behaviours has to be seen in the context of the child’s whole situation and in combination with other information related to the child and his/her circumstances.

There can be an overlap between different forms of abuse.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child's emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued in so far as they meet the needs of another person. It may involve causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation of children.

Some level of emotional abuse is present in all types of ill treatment although it may exist alone.

Emotional Abuse in Sport

-Exposing children to humiliating, taunting or aggressive behaviour or tone

-Demeaning children's efforts by continuous negative feedback

-Failure to intervene where a child's self confidence and worth are challenged orundermined

Signs of possible emotional abuse are:

  • Low self esteem
  • Continual self – depreciation
  • Sudden speech disorder
  • Significant decline in concentration
  • Socio-emotional immaturity
  • “Neurotic” behaviour (e.g. rocking, head banging)
  • Self-mutilation
  • Compulsive stealing
  • Extremes of passivity or aggression
  • Running away
  • indiscriminate friendliness

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical treatment.

Neglect in Sport

Lack of care, guidance, supervision or protection, which may be caused by:

-Exposing children to unnecessary cold or heat

-Exposing children to unhygienic conditions, lack of food, water or medical care

-Non-intervention in bullying or taunting

Signs of possible physical neglect:

  • Constant hunger
  • Poor personal hygiene
  • Constant tiredness
  • Poor state of clothing
  • Frequent lateness and/or unexplained non-attendance at school
  • Untreated medical problems
  • Low self esteem
  • Poor peer relationships
  • Stealing
NON ORGANIC FAILURE TO THRIVE– Children who significantly fail to reach normal growth and developmental milestones (i.e. physical growth weight, motor, social and intellectual development) where physical and genetic reasons have been medically eliminated and a diagnosis of non-organic failure to thrive has been established. (Scottish Office 1998, Protecting Children a Shared Responsibility)

Signs of possible non-organic failure to thrive:

  • Significant lack of growth
  • Weight loss
  • Hair loss
  • Poor skin or muscle tone
  • Circulatory disorders

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise harming a child.

MunchausenSyndrome by Proxywhereby a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes, ill health in a child is also child abuse.

Physical Abuse in Sport

Bodily harm caused by lack of care, attention, or knowledge, which may be caused by:

-Over training or dangerous training of athletes

-Over playing an athlete

-Failure to do a risk assessment of physical limits or pre-existing injuries or medical conditions

-Administering, condoning or failure to intervene in drug use

PHYSICAL ABUSE

Signs of possible physical abuse:

  • Unexplained injuries or burns, particularly if they are recurrent
  • Improbable excuses given to explain injuries
  • Refusal to discuss injuries
  • Untreated injuries, or delay in reporting them
  • Excessive physical punishment
  • Arms and legs kept covered in hot weather
  • Avoidance of swimming, physical education etc
  • Fear of returning home
  • Aggression towards others
  • Running away
  • Genuine accidental injuries, which are common - the nature and site of the bruising relative to the child’s age is important
  • Bleeding and clotting disorders

When considering the possibility of non-accidental injury it is important to remember that the injuries may have occurred for other reasons. Among the most important are: