Oxford Volleyball Club believes:
• That the safety and welfare of children should always
be of paramount importance, whatever the circumstances.
• That everyone with a role in working with children
has a moral and arguably a legal responsibility to safeguard and promote a
child’s welfare particularly when it comes to protecting children from abuse.
• That special care is needed in dealing with children
whose age, inexperience or physical state makes them particularly vulnerable to
abuse.
Oxford Volleyball Club:
• Has therefore adopted this Child Protection Policy
to ensure that the welfare and safety of children in OVC’s care or custody is
always the primary consideration.
• Is committed to providing an environment where children
can learn about, participate in and enjoy volleyball free from harassment or
abuse.
The Policy is predicated on the following three principles:
1. A child’s welfare is the paramount
consideration.
2. A child, regardless of age, ability, gender,
racial origin, religious belief and sexual orientation has a right to be
protected from abuse.
3. The rights, dignity and worth of a child
should always be respected.
The Children Act 1989 (as amended by The Children
Act 2004) states that anyone who is involved in the care of children should
"do what is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of
safeguarding or promoting the child’s welfare".
BILL OF RIGHTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Young people participate in sport for many reasons
including to make friends, to have fun and to learn new skills. Whilst
competing and participating in volleyball activities young people have certain
rights that should allow them to get the most from their experiences. Oxford
Volleyball Club believes every young person has the right:
• To participate in volleyball.
• To be treated with respect by all adults and
players.
• To compete and train as a child.
• To report any problems to the Club Welfare
Officer.
• To be considered for every match or
competition.
• To train and compete safely and have
appropriate medical treatment if required.
• To be coached by a qualified coach.
• To have fun.
RESPONDING TO AN ALLEGATION
What should you do if you are concerned?
If a child or young person indicates that they
have been abused, or you obtain information which gives you concern, you
should:
• React calmly so as not to frighten the child
• Tell the child he/she is not to blame and that
it was right to tell
• Take the report seriously, recognising the difficulties
inherent in interpreting what is said
• Keep questions to the absolute minimum to ensure
a clear and accurate understanding.
Only ask questions if you need to – do not ask the
child about explicit details
• Reassure but do not make promises of confidentiality
which might not be possible to keep in the light of subsequent developments
• Make a full record of what has been said, heard
and/or seen as soon as possible and fill out a Volleyball England Child
Protection (OVC use VE form) Incident Report Form (CPIRF).
• The Area or Regional Child Welfare Officer
• The Volleyball England website
• Pass the information, without delay, on to the appropriate
person in accordance with the OVC Child Protection Incident Reporting
Procedure.
INCIDENT REPORTING PROCEDURE
This reporting procedure is to be followed if:
• There has been an allegation of abuse made by
any person concerning any child who is under the control, custody or
supervision of OVC, its officers or volunteers
• Any member of the OVC, officer, volunteer or
accredited person has had any suspicions made known to them about any person or
child
• Any incident that could be deemed as abuse has
occurred.
What YOU should do:
1. Ensure the child is safe and receiving any necessary
medical attention and is able to talk about their concerns, if they wish.
2. Report the incident to the Club’s Child Welfare
Officer (CCWO).
3. Fill in the VE CPIRF, giving full details of
what occurred.
What the Club’s Child Welfare Officer should do:
1. Contact the child’s parents (unless they are implicated
in the incident). If considered necessary, contact will also be made to the Social
Services, Police, NSPCC etc.
2. Immediately contact the Area/Regional Child
Welfare Officer and report the incident and actions. Information passed on to
the Social Service Department or the police must be as helpful as possible, it
will be necessary to make a detailed record of the following;
• The nature of the allegation
• A description of the indicators of abuse
• The account of the young person, if it can be
given, of what happened to them
• Any times, dates or other relevant information
• A clear distinction between what is fact and what
is hearsay.
Oxford Volleyball Club
OVC uses Volleyball England’s
Child Protection Policy as its guide and reference to its own Child Protection
Policy. Listed below is OVC’s officer for 2022/23.
Club Child Welfare Officer
Helen Bremner
If you would like her contact details, please email us.
Local Social Service
01865 323048
Oxford Police 01865 841148
