Fife Coaching Academy

Game within the child

                 FIFE COACHING ACADEMY CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

  
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

The introduction of this Child Protection Policy is a clear signal by the FIFE COACHING ACADEMY  is determined to ensure all necessary steps are taken to protect from harm, those children and young people who participate in coaching sessions/games at all levels with FIFE COACHING ACADEMY This document falls clearly into line with the FCA regulations on Child Protection and is used by the FIFE COACHING ACADEMY Coaching company as part of its staff training programme.

The Fife Coaching Academy (FCA) Child Protection and Practices Handbook places a clear responsibility on coaching organisations to ensure that they safeguard and promote the welfare of all children.

The purpose of this written policy is to inform all coaches and other staff about these responsibilities and to enable everyone to have a clear understanding of how they are to be carried out.


FIFE COACHING ACADEMY , hereinafter called 'The Organisation FCA' and FIFE COACHING ACADEMY coaching staff, assistant coaches, trainees (e.g. work experience), sports tutors and personal trainers hereinafter called 'Staff' follow the FCA Child Protection Procedures and Practices Handbook (a guide to procedure and practice for all coaches/trainers).

The Organisation acknowledges that our staff are particularly well placed to notice outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour or failure to develop. We recognise the important role we have in early recognition of the signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and appropriate referral procedures.

* Mr John Cooper is The Organisations designated person responsible for child protection matters.

* The Organisation has adopted clear and sound policies on confidentiality and will maintain all written evidence about child protection issues in a secure place. It will provide accurate information to the FCA. and Social Services, where appropriate, normally through the designated person.

* The Organisation will provide training and annual refresher sessions for staff - through the 'Train the Trainer' medium - to ensure that their skills and expertise are up to date.

All FCA Staff/Coaches are Disclosure Scotland Checked before appointment.

Our guidelines are produced in accordance with legislation and national guidance, including:

1/ The Children(Scotland ) Act 1995

2/ The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

3/ the Human Rights Act 1998

4/ Vunerable Children & young People Guidance 2003

5/ The Sexual offences Act 2003

6/ Protecting Children & Young People: Children's Charter & framework for standards 2004.

FCA is registered with Volunteer Development Scotland (Center for Excellence) CRBS.

Child Protection Contact details for Fife:-

Out of Hours: 08451 55 00 99

Police: 08456 00 57 02

Family Protection Unit: 01383 31 29 10

 DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998

We are committed to upholding the eight Data Protection Principles of good information handling practice. Broadly they state that personal data shall:

· Be obtained and processed fairly and lawfully.

· Be processed only for limited purposes which are described in the register entry.

· Be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose for which they are held.

· Be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date.

· Be held no longer than is necessary for the purpose for which they are held.

· Be processed in accordance with the data subjects' rights.

· Be surrounded by proper security.

· Not be transferred to countries outside the EEA without adequate protection.

If you would like more information regarding the Data Protection Act 1998, please visit the Data Protection web site - http://www.dataprotection.gov.uk/

To Request more information contact Club Protection Officers:- 

John Cooper, Child Protection Officer FCA.

johnfca@hotmail.co.uk / 07787830516 

Robert Mcphail, Child Protection Officer FCA.

   07849375004

 

                                     STAFF RATIOS

                                Staffing ratios Fife Coaching Academy 2010

The majority of National Governing Bodies set out minimum ratios for coaches/leaders to young people for coaching young people under the age of 18 years. The following circumstances should be considered for adjusting the ratios of children per coach:

        The nature of the activities,  The sex, age, attitudes, disability, behaviour and competence of the young  people. The extent to which people with special needs are included within the group .The competence, experience and expertise of the coaches. The duration and nature of the travel to and from the activity . The type of venue. The weather conditions. The need to maintain a complete programme of supervision &

        The risk assessment for each activity – high, medium or low risk

Providers of open access activity (as defined in The Children Act 1989) should use the ratio of 1:8 as a guideline for all activities involving 4.5 to 8 year old children. Therefore the club must ensure adequate numbers of staff to organise these activities.  A ratio of 1:10 is recommended for children aged 8 years plus.  

In any club situation it is highly recommended that TWO ADULTS SHOULD BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES with a group of children. This protects the children and also the coach from difficult situations or false allegations and should form part of your child protection procedures. Whenever possible ensure that there is a balance of MALE AND FEMALE SUPERVISORS for all activities regardless of whether the group of children are boys, girls or mixed. For all activities at least one adult should be a qualified first aider.

For sport specific information on coaching ratios refer to your National Governing Body who should be able to provide guidelines. This is largely determined by the coaching qualification held by the coach.

The responsibility delegated to all accompanying adults (coaches, instructors, leaders or helpers) should be clearly understood by all, including the children under their care. Thorough briefings for accompanying adults are vital. When a volunteer assumes the role of instructor it is essential that he/she is appropriately approved for the activity and relevant insurance’s are in place.

People with special needs

The safety of people with special needs requires more consideration and planning, as what may be a low risk activity for most individuals, could be a high risk activity for those with special needs. Attention should be given to:

       Access to the site and its facilities

       Security Arrangements

       Medical needs

       Additional support staff and carers

       Dietary requirements

       Emergency procedures and specialist advice in an emergency

 

                                     STAFF RATIOS

                                Staffing ratios Fife Coaching Academy 2010

The majority of National Governing Bodies set out minimum ratios for coaches/leaders to young people for coaching young people under the age of 18 years. The following circumstances should be considered for adjusting the ratios of children per coach:

        The nature of the activities,  The sex, age, attitudes, disability, behaviour and competence of the young  people. The extent to which people with special needs are included within the group .The competence, experience and expertise of the coaches. The duration and nature of the travel to and from the activity . The type of venue. The weather conditions. The need to maintain a complete programme of supervision &

        The risk assessment for each activity – high, medium or low risk

Providers of open access activity (as defined in The Children Act 1989) should use the ratio of 1:8 as a guideline for all activities involving 4.5 to 8 year old children. Therefore the club must ensure adequate numbers of staff to organise these activities.  A ratio of 1:10 is recommended for children aged 8 years plus.  

In any club situation it is highly recommended that TWO ADULTS SHOULD BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES with a group of children. This protects the children and also the coach from difficult situations or false allegations and should form part of your child protection procedures.

Whenever possible ensure that there is a balance of MALE AND FEMALE SUPERVISORS for all activities regardless of whether the group of children are boys, girls or mixed. For all activities at least one adult should be a qualified first aider.

For sport specific information on coaching ratios refer to your National Governing Body who should be able to provide guidelines. This is largely determined by the coaching qualification held by the coach.

The responsibility delegated to all accompanying adults (coaches, instructors, leaders or helpers) should be clearly understood by all, including the children under their care. Thorough briefings for accompanying adults are vital. When a volunteer assumes the role of instructor it is essential that he/she is appropriately approved for the activity

and relevant insurance’s are in place.

People with special needs

The safety of people with special needs requires more consideration and planning, as what may be a low risk activity for most individuals, could be a high risk activity for those with special needs. Attention should be given to:

       Access to the site and its facilities

       Security Arrangements

       Medical needs

       Additional support staff and carers

       Dietary requirements

       Emergency procedures and specialist advice in an emergency