NEW PROVIDENCE Sports & Educational Centre

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

The introduction of this Child Protection Policy should be seen as a clear signal by The New Providence Sports and Educational Centre (NPSEC) that it is determined to ensure all necessary steps are taken to protect from harm, those children and young people who participate in sports at all levels.
The policy establishes NPSEC’s position, role and responsibilities and, together with the Procedures Handbook, clarifies what is expected of our organisation and individuals involved in our Centre.
It very clearly highlights the importance placed by The NPSEC on the protection of children and young people.

Acknowledgements

The NPSEC would like to thank The English FA, NSPCC and several teachers, parents and coaches, too numerous to mention
I am delighted to foreword The NPSEC’s Child Protection Policy. This is the cornerstone of our commitment to developing a culture in which children and young people can participate in sports in a safe and enjoyable environment.
There are thousands of young people involved in sports in The Bahamas, each worthy of support. Through such initiatives it is our stated aim to ensure every individual is better prepared to play their part in the protection of children.
A successful Child Protection Policy is a step towards achieving the goal of ending all cruelty to children.Dr. Michael Neville

Every child and young person who plays sports should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in sport.
We recognise, however, that child abuse is also a very emotive and difficult subject. It is important to understand the feelings involved but not to allow them to interfere with our judgement about any action taken.
The NPSEC recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying.

It is determined to meet its obligation to ensure that those clubs and organisations associated with the NPSEC and providing sporting opportunities for children and young people do so, to the highest possible standard of care.
Clear practices and procedures, in addition to a detailed training programme, will ensure that everyone knows exactly what is expected of them in relation to the protection of children and young people within sport.

It is essential that those children and young people attracted to and participating in our programmes are able to do so in a quality, safe and enjoyable environment.

In striving to attain this, The NPSEC has the following objectives:

• A requirement that all affiliated organisations, Leagues, Tournaments or constituted event include in their rules a policy statement concerning child protection.
• A requirement that all bodies affiliated to the NPSEC, which provide the opportunity to work with children and young people under the age of 18, include in their rules a policy statement concerning child protection.
• To provide ongoing development and training opportunities to all organisations as mentioned above.
• To provide ingoing development and training opportunities:
- for all Coaches
- as an integral part of all Coach and Medical Education courses and Administration Courses
- in staff development courses for members of all Leagues
- through the process of attaining and maintaining the Centre’s Standards

AIMS

The aims of the NPSEC’s Child Protection Policy are:

• To develop a positive and pro-active position in order to best protect all children and young people who play sports, enabling them to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment.
• To deliver quality assured child protection training and build a network of tutors to facilitate this delivery, in conjunction with and supported by The Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development, the Ministry of Sports Youth and Culture and the Ministry of Education.
• To demonstrate best practice in the area of child protection.
• To promote ethics and high standards throughout our programmes.

The key principles behind the Policy are that:

• The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration.
• All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin or religious beliefs.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

Working in partnership with children and young people and their parents/guardians is essential. Social Services have a statutory duty to ensure the welfare of children and young people. The NPSEC is committed to working with The Department of Social Services in accordance with their procedure.

1. Any act, statement, conduct or other matter which harms a child or children, shall constitute behaviour which is improper and brings the game into disrepute.
2. In these Regulations the expression “Offence” shall mean any one or more of these offences contained in the ‘Children and Young Persons Act’ introduced in 1933 and still statutory and any other criminal offence which reasonably causes The Centre to believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children.
3. Upon receipt by The NPSEC of:
3.1 notification that an individual has been charged with an Offence; or
3.2 notification that an individual is the subject of an investigation by the Police, social services or any other authority relating to an Offence: or
3.3 any other information which causes The NPSEC to believe that a person poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children
Then The NPSEC shall have the power to order that the individual be suspended from all or any specific activity for such period and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
4. In reaching its determination as to whether an order under Regulation 3 should be made The NPSEC shall consider, inter alia, the following factors:-
4.1 whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm;
4.2 whether the matters are of a serious nature;
4.3 whether an order is necessary or desirable to allow the conduct of any investigation by the police or any other body to proceed unimpeded.
5. The period of an order referred to in 3 above shall not be capable of lasting beyond the date upon which any charge under the Rules of The Centre or any Offence is decided or brought to an end.
6. Where an order is imposed on an individual under Regulation 3 above, The Club shall bring and conclude any proceedings under the Rules of The Club against the person relating to the matters as soon as reasonably practicable
7. Where a person is convicted or is made the subject of a caution in respect to an Offence, that shall constitute a breach of the Rules of The Centre and The Centre shall have the power to order the suspension of the person from all or any specific activities for such a period (including indefinitely) and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
8. For the purposes of these Regulations, The Centre shall act through its Executive or sub-committee thereof.
9. Notification in writing of an order referred to above shall be given to the person concerned and/or any club with which she/he is associated as soon as reasonably practicable.
The New Providence Sports and Educational Centre’s Regulations on child protection are clearly defined.

Parental Commitment

All of the principles of The ‘New Providence Sports and Educational Centre’s Child Protection Policy’ apply to all adults involved in the Centre, including parents. We would not deign to tell parents how to best raise their children. However, while at the Centre, we will not accept verbal or physical abuse of any kind from any adult towards any child. Neither will we tolerate any act of negligence.

Verbal Abuse includes:

• Cursing or foul language directed at a child
• Derogatory or negative criticism of a child
• Any statement that is intended to degrade a child
Physical Abuse includes:
• Any act of physical harm directed at any child
Negligence includes:
• Collecting children from the Centre later than the agreed time
• Ignoring the child’s academic and health needs
• Favouritism – Directing attention to one child at the expense of another.

Conclusion

the new Providence Sports and Educational Centre, through confirming this Policy Document, has indicated its determination to ensure that children and young people can participate in all forms of sporting activity and do so with their safety being of paramount importance.
It is essential that this document is representative of a process of continual improvement in the area of child protection within sports. It is for all adults engaged in sporting activities to promote good practice and procedures, whilst being ever vigilant and aware of their responsibilities towards the children and young people in their care.