If you have any Safeguarding to report please speak with Thomas Wall Archers Child Protection Officer Fiona Churchouse or contact via email at safeguardingthomaswallarchers@hotmail.com
The latest Archery GB Safeguarding Updates can be accessed below
Safeguarding and Protecting Children & Young People Good Practice
Safeguarding and Protecting Children & Young People Policy
Safeguarding and Protecting Children & Young Reporting Procedures
Thomas Wall Archers
Code of Good Practice - Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
Introduction
Thomas Wall Archers is affiliated to Archery GB. It is a mandatory requirement of affiliation for Clubs to adopt the Archery GB Policy and Guidelines for Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults. There are a number of requirements stated by Archery GB including that clubs have a Code of Good Practice.
The following Code of Good Practice provides Thomas Wall Archers statement of commitment to safeguarding, principles, definitions, local rules, guidance and procedure for dealing with concerns. Together, these ensure the mechanisms for compliance with the Archery GB Policy and clarify what is expected of the Club and its members.
The Archery GB Policy for Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults is not repeated here but may be found at www.archerygb.org as may the associated guidelines.
Thomas Wall Archers Commitment to the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Thomas Wall Archers believe that when dealing with children, young people and vulnerable adults their welfare must always be of paramount importance. Thomas Wall Archers is committed to providing an environment where children, young people and vulnerable adults can learn and participate in archery free from harassment and abuse. All those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults have a moral responsibility to safeguard and promote their welfare. Thomas Wall Archers have adopted the Archery GB Policy for Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults to ensure peace of mind for both children and adults.
Terminology
Child /Children / Young Person / Young People – refers to all people under the age of 18 years.
Vulnerable Adult – is a person aged over 18 years and who is, or may be in need of community care services by reason of their advanced age, sensory impairment, disability, learning difficulties or illness.
Principles
This Code of Good Practice is based on the following fundamental principles:
Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
• Whilst dealing with children, young people and vulnerable adults, their welfare is and always must be the paramount consideration.
• All children, young people and vulnerable adults, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual orientation, have the right to protection from abuse or neglect.
• The rights, dignity and worth of every child, young person and vulnerable adult must always be respected.
• All children, young people and vulnerable adults must be listened to and have their views considered according to their age, maturity and understanding.
• All children, young people and vulnerable adults have a right to participate in archery in an enjoyable and safe environment.
Adults who work with Children and Young People
• All adults who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults have a right to be treated with respect and dignity irrespective of their gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, marital status, age, religious or political belief and offending background.
• All adults who work with children and young people have a right to know what Thomas Wall Archers and Archery GB expects of them in terms of their responsibilities and conduct towards others.
• All adults who work with children and young people have a right to fair and just treatment whenever a concern is raised about them including their conduct towards others.
Parents and Legal Guardians
• Parents and guardians have a right to expect that Thomas Wall Archers provide appropriate care and protection for their children.
• It is the right of a parent or guardian to be able to check how well Thomas Wall Archers is run, for the sake of their child’s safety and the parent’s peace of mind.
Responsibilities
Thomas Wall Archers takes its responsibilities to children, young people and vulnerable adults who participate in archery at all levels seriously. Thomas Wall Archers actively strives to provide an environment that supports children, young people and vulnerable adults to be happy, stay safe, enjoy, achieve and make a positive contribution.
· Any matters giving rise to concern of children or young people’s welfare e.g. abuse, poor practice and allegations will be taken seriously and responded to in a timely and appropriate manner.
· Confidentiality will be upheld in line with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 2000.
· Recruitment of staff and volunteers is undertaken according to the guidelines for best practice contained in the Archery GB Policy for Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults.
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is the responsibility of child protection experts i.e. Social Services or the Police, to determine whether or not abuse has taken place but it is everyone’s responsibility to report any concerns.
Statement of Zero Tolerance of Bullying
Thomas Wall Archers will not tolerate the bullying of any Member by another Member.
Bullying can include:
Physical: e.g. hitting, pushing, punching kicking (in some cases, this might constitute an assault).
Verbal: (including teasing) e.g. racist or sectarian remarks, spreading rumours, threats or name-calling, ridicule or humiliation.
Emotional: e.g. being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (emotionally and physically), sending hurtful text messages, ridiculing, humiliating, threatening gestures and ignoring.
Harassment: e.g. using abusive or insulting behaviour in a manner intended to cause alarm or distress.
Sexual: e.g. unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments. Cyber: e.g. misuse of ICT, such as e-mail and internet chat room misuse.
Abuse or threats by text messaging and calls
What to do if you are concerned about a child, young person or vulnerable
adult’s safety or welfare.
If you have a concern about a child, young person or vulnerable adult’s welfare or safety refer to the flow diagrams included in the GB Archery Policy for Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults which may be found at www.archerygb.org .
If you think that a child, young person or vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected, you should report your concerns to Surrey County Council's Social Services by telephoning the Surrey Contact Centre on 0300 200 1006.
Outside of office hours and at weekends and public holidays, the Surrey Emergency Duty Team should be contacted by telephoning 01483 517898. However, if you are seriously concerned about a child's, young person’s or vulnerable adult’s immediate safety, always dial 999 and report the matter to the police.
NSPCC Helpline provides a free 24 hour service on 0808 800 50000.