Thank you to Chris Mackinnon for providing the following, which is subject to committee approval:

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is broader than “adult or child protection” as it also includes prevention. Safeguarding can be defined as:

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“All organisations working with children, vulnerable adults, young people and their families, taking all reasonable measures to ensure their well being and that the risks of harm to their welfare are minimised.”

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Where there are concerns about children, vulnerable adults, and young people’s welfare, all organisations take appropriate action to address these concerns, working to agreed local policies and procedures in full partnership with other local organisations.

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Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults is vital for any organisation and responsible people have a duty of care towards the children and vulnerable adults with whom you have contact. Having safeguards in place within an organisation not only protects and promotes the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, but also it enhances the confidence of responsible people, volunteers, parents/carers and the public.

 

Equality and Diversity

What is equality?

Equality is ensuring individuals or groups of individuals are treated fairly and equally. They should not be treated less favourably but specifically to their needs, including areas of race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age. Actively promoting equality should remove discrimination in all the previously mentioned areas. Bullying, harassment or victimisation are also considered as equality and diversity issues.

 

What is diversity?

Diversity aims to recognise, respect and value people’s differences, variety and individuality. It further aims to create an inclusive culture in which all colleagues can contribute and develop their full potential.

 

The Children (Scotland) Act states that each child has the right to protection from all forms of abuse, neglect or exploitation. It also states that children should have the right to express their views on any issues or decisions affecting them.

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As an organisation the Scottish Short Mat Bowling Federation offers a very valuable service to children. Through our organisation they learn about how to take part in the activities we offer. They also learn to trust and respect the adults involved. This places our responsible people and volunteers in a unique position in those children’s lives. There may come a time when a child feels the need to confide in the volunteer or when the volunteer feels that all is not well in the child’s life.

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Our organisation has a duty to ensure that volunteers are equipped with the necessary information and knowledge to give that child the support, guidance and help needed at that time.

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Policy for The Scottish Short Mat Bowling Federation

Principles of good practice and procedure in child/vulnerable adult protection.

 

• The Scottish Short Mat Bowling Federation believes that all agencies working with vulnerable groups, particularly children, should have a protection policy and statement for all volunteers.

• The Scottish Short Mat Bowling Federation believes that every child, regardless of age, has always, in all situations, a right to feel safe and protected from any situation or practice which results in the child being physically or psychologically damaged.

• Above all, we should all remember that the welfare of the child/vulnerable person is of paramount consideration and we must all work together to ensure their safety.

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The Role of the Designated Officer for Sports and Leisure Groups

As a Designated Officer for your group you are responsible for ensuring that our policy is up to date, that it is clearly displayed (if possible) and accessible, that the volunteers are aware of the policy, have read and understood it.

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The Scottish Short Mat Bowling Federation must make sure that we are up to date with the current Inter-Agency Guidelines issued by the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Committee, and if a copy is not available, contact the Development Officer.

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Make sure you know who your Designated Officer (Social Work) is. You must have the following telephone numbers:

• Police

• Area Social Work Office

 

 

Policy Statement for Scottish Short Mat Bowling Federation

 

• Hold a register of every child involved with the Federation and have a contact name and number close to hand in case of emergencies;

 

• Treat everyone with respect;

 

• Remember that some issues are confidential;

 

• Provide an example you would wish others to follow;

 

• Where possible, consider activities which involve more than one adult being present or at least within sight and hearing of others;

 

• Remember, someone else might misinterpret your actions even if they are well-intentioned;

 

• Respect a child’s right to personal privacy;

 

• Provide time for children to talk to you;

 

• Encourage children to respect and care for others;

 

• Take action to stop any inappropriate verbal or physical behaviour;

 

• Have a group policy for the collection of children after meetings or gatherings have finished;

 

• Remember to REFER and not INVESTIGATE any suspicions or allegations of abuse;

 

• Only share concerns and seek support from those identified in the Federation's child/vulnerable adults protection policy.

 

 

The Scottish Short Mat Bowling Federation believes that every child regardless of age has always, and in all situations, a right to feel safe and protected from any situation or practice that results in a child/vulnerable adult being physically or psychologically damaged. In our organisation, if we have suspicions about a child’s/vulnerable adult’s sexual or emotional well-being, we will take action.

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All volunteers are encouraged to share concerns with the organisation's Designated Officer. If the situation is clearly an urgent case, the child/vulnerable adult is too frightened to go home, or you have serious doubts about their safety, contact Police or Social Work Services immediately. If your concerns are more general about welfare, discuss these with your organisation's Designated Officer. The Designated Officer should then make a referral to the Social Service's Designated Officer who will make the necessary arrangements. It is important that all volunteers communicate concerns accurately. To this end volunteers will follow the procedures as follows:

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Upon the receipt of any information from a child, or suspicions, it is necessary to record what they have seen, heard or know, accurately at the time the event occurred.

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Share their concerns with the Designated Officer for the organisation and agree action to take.

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Never investigate.

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If you have concerns, you MUST act. It may be the final piece of the jigsaw that is needed to protect that child/vulnerable adult, or you may prevent further abuse.

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Area social work office________________________________________

 

Police Station_______________________________________________

 

 

Named Contacts:

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Area Social Work Office________________________________________

 

Police Station________________________________________________

 

Out of hours Social Work Emergency Service. _______________________