Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Statement

Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. (the Club) is fully committed to embedding a rights-based approach in Scottish football. The Club recognise and work within the general principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) for the best interests of the child, nondiscrimination, participation as well as survival and development.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. (the Club) are fully committed to promoting, supporting and safeguarding the wellbeing of all children in its care. We recognise the child’s right to protection as provided in Article 19 of the UNCRC (see note 1): all forms of physical or mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse. ‘Child protection’ means protecting a child from child abuse or neglect as stated within the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2014 (see note 2)

For the purposes of this policy a child is recognised as someone under the age of 18 years. This policy applies to all children regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion, socio-economic status or family circumstance.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C. will:

• Respect the rights of children as paramount.

• Promote the rights and wellbeing of children by providing opportunities for them to take part in football safely.

• Appoint a Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer(s) as the appointed representative(s) of the Club to monitor both application and compliance of the policy. The representative(s) shall be the first point of contact in all instances connected with Child Protection Matters within the Club (see note 3)

• Promote and implement appropriate procedures to safeguard the wellbeing of children and protect them from abuse, ensuring they know what to do and who they can speak to if they need help.

• Require members of staff and volunteers to adopt and abide by this policy and sign up to the Code of Conduct for Safeguarding Children’s Wellbeing.

• Safely recruit and select individuals who will be working with children to ensure appropriate measures have been taken and risk assessed when needed.

• Train, support and supervise its members of staff and volunteers to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect children from abuse and reduce risks.

• Respond to any allegations of poor practice, misconduct or abuse of children in line with procedures as well as implementing, where appropriate, the relevant disciplinary and appeals procedures.

• Observe guidelines issued by local Child Protection Committees for the protection of children.

Regularly monitor and evaluate the implementation of this policy, these procedures and associated safeguards and include children’s views in the process.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Review

This policy, and associated policies, procedures and safeguards will be regularly reviewed and will include children’s participation and feedback on the content and actual experience of implementation as part of the review:

• In accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on children’s rights or following any changes within the Club.

• Following any issue or concern raised about children’s rights being denied within the Club.

• In all other circumstances, at least every three years.

Reviewed & Approved by the Committee

Hill of Beath Hawthorn F.C.

31st October 2021

NOTE 1

UNCRC

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child for the best interests of the child, non-discrimination, participation as well as survival and development.

Article 19 (Protection from all forms of violence): Children have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, physically or mentally. Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after them. In terms of discipline, the Convention does not specify what forms of punishment parents should use. However any form of discipline involving violence is unacceptable. There are ways to discipline children that are effective in helping children learn about family and social expectations for their behaviour – ones that are non-violent, are appropriate to the child's level of development and take the best interests of the child into consideration. In most countries, laws already define what sorts of punishments are considered excessive or abusive. It is up to each government to review these laws in light of the Convention.

Reference: Fact Sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of a Child

https://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf

NOTE 2

National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2014

https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-guidance-child-protection-scotland/

A copy of both these documents is retained in the Club Office at all times for access and review by any official connected with the Club.

NOTE 3

Appointed Child Protection and Wellbeing Officer:-
Mr Ian Short
E-Mail:- ishort79@hotmail.co.uk
Mobile:- 07927 733123

Child Protection Policy