BRIDLINGTON RANGERS J.F.C.
(Founded 1979)

Motto: To win fairly and to lose with Honour

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

At a meeting of Bridlington Rangers JFC management committee held on the 3rd September 2000 the
Child Protection Policy as set out below was adopted:-

"Child abuse can take many forms and can be inflicted by a parent / guardian other family members, friends, persons in authority even that of a stranger. "

FORMS OF ABUSE

Sexual:- of various forms physically or showing children pornography books or videos or taking pornographic photographs or videos.
Physical:- Injuries to children by hitting, shaking, squeezing, biting or burning. In football as with other sports physical abuse may occur when the nature and intensity of training exceeds the capacity of the child’s body.
Neglect:- Where adults do not meet a child’s basic physical needs which are food, warmth, and clothing. Where children are regularly left alone unsupervised and where adults fail to give children love, affection or attention.
Emotional:- Where children are frequently being shouted at or taunted or where they are over protected and do not develop good social skills. Emotional abuse in football may include situations where parents and coaches subject children to constant criticism, bullying or unrealistic pressure to perform to an unreasonably high expectations.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Aggressive, withdrawn or fear of one person.
Unexplained sources of money.
Inappropriate sexual drawings, language or behaviour.
Unexplained or untreated injuries. Injuries to unlikely or unusual parts of the body.
Cigarette burns, bites, belt marks or scalds.
Fear of parents being contacted, fear of going home or receiving medical advice.
Flinching when touched.
Poor personal hygiene.
Constantly hungry.
Lonely- no friends.
Under weight.
No parent support or intervention.
Dishevelled appearance.
Overreaction to mistakes.
Extremes of emotions.
Self mutilation.

There may be other signs or you may feel that there is something wrong without any of the signs. If so you must do something positive by discussing your concerns with the Rangers club Chairman and Secretary. They then should contact the East Riding County FA’s child protection Officer.

 

 

 

 

WHERE THE CHILD DISCLOSES ABUSE.

Do not react in a way that may add to the child’s distress for example by showing anger shock or aggression. Listen carefully to the child. Tell them that whatever the circumstances they are not to blame. Stay calm and reassuring. Do not question the child in depth and do not ask leading questions. Only ask questions to establish exactly what was done and who did it. Do let the child know that you understand it is ok to talk about such experiences. You should inform the Club Chairman and Secretary. Do not contact the parents until you have received advice. It is important to make an accurate record of the time and date of the disclosure and what was said.

TEAM MANAGERS AND ASSISTANTS

Should always treat all players with respect and dignity and should avoid bad language or aggressive / suggestive / sarcastic tone of voice.

THEY SHOULD NEVER

Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games including horseplay , allow or engage in inappropriate or intrusive touching of any kind. Make sexually suggestive comments to a child even in a light hearted way. Let allegations a child makes go un-challenged, always act. Invade the privacy of children when they are changing / showering or using the toilet.

YOU SHOULD AVOID

1) Doing things of a personal nature which children can do for themselves such as changing.
2) Spending too much time alone with children away from others.
3) Taking children alone on car journeys no matter how short.
4) Taking children to your home. Where these situations are unavoidable you must seek parental consent first where at all possible. If this proves to be impossible you must always inform the parents of the circumstances without delay.


DECLARATION


The Bridlington Rangers Junior Football Club accepts that the welfare of children is paramount and that all children whatever their age, culture, disability, gender or religious belief have the right to protection from abuse. All suspicions and alegations of abuse will be taken seriously and be responded to without delay.