· Developing a clear process for identifying, reporting (to the appropriate authorities), investigating and recording child protection-related incidences in an efficient and confidential way.

· Ensuring all Streetcage Sports staff and volunteers have a full awareness and understanding of Child Protection Issues and implementation of this Policy.

Group Leaders/Activity Organisers will also ensure active compliance with this Policy and will be briefed on their role in terms of Child Protection by the CPO.

Recruitment

STREETCAGE aim is to ensure that all paid staff and volunteers given access to children through our activities is as safe to do so, in Child Protection terms, as can be guaranteed.

The CPO will ensure that the following tasks are carried out: -

· A role description is drawn up for the position

· A Criminal Records Bureau check at enhanced level (via the The North West Youth Association) is carried out unless they are students of JMU in which case they will have been CRB clearned through the University.

· 2 personal referees, nominated by the applicant are received (These must be someone who is not related to the applicant and who preferably knows of the applicant's character, trustworthiness and any previous experience of working with/looking after children and young people).

· Proof of identity and residence is received (e.g. passport or other photographic evidence)

· Written consent must first be received from the staff member, or volunteer in question before any checks are carried out.

· No staff member or volunteer must start unsupervised work with children until these tasks have been carried out

· Checks will be carried out every 3 years on all trustees, staff and volunteers who will be in contact with children through Streetcage Sports activities.

Support & Supervision

All staff & volunteers will receive adequate support & supervision from a designated Group Leader/Activity Organiser. Support will include: -

· Providing sufficient induction of new staff/volunteers on Child Protection, Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities, Complaints Procedures, etc.

· Raising awareness of Streetcage Sports Child Protection Policy & Procedures

· Providing training opportunities (e.g. Child Protection Issues)

· Giving access to the full Child Protection Policy Statement

· Making staff/volunteers aware of who to contact should a query arise (i.e. the CPO and/or the group leader of the activity)

Activities

· All sessions shall be conducted with the provisions of this Policy in mind. The CPO must ensure that all Child Protection procedures are in place before an activity starts.

· The CPO, in conjunction with the Group Leader/Activity Organiser, will carry out a ‘Child Protection Audit’ of the site at which an activity is to take place, considering layout of premises/site, health & safety, helpers and supervision required to ensure the personal safety of children & young people.

· As a basic principle, no helper should work with less than 3 children on their own for any period longer than 20 minutes.

· A helper:child ratio of 1:15 maximum shall be observed in all Streetcage Sports activities.

· For their own protection, but mainly as good practice and good manners, helpers are advised that children should initiate physical contact with helpers - this will not apply e.g. where a child needs to be removed from a situation threatening its or others' safety.

Dealing with Concerns Being Raised (Disclosure)

Streetcage Sports is aware that in any Streetcage Sports activity, an issue of abuse outside the activity may become apparent or that there will be children present who have not, as yet, revealed they are being abused. It is important that the environment created for any activity is as conducive to support of a child in such a situation as is possible.

If a child/adult shares concerns with any staff/volunteer, the following shall be observed by all personnel: -

· Do not give promises of confidentiality, which you cannot keep and always be open about your role in letting others know if a child is in danger.

· Give the child/adult space, time and their undivided attention to tell their story · Do not make judgements on whether the child/adult is telling the truth

· Do not make comments on what you have been told

· Do not ask the child/adult to repeat the story to other colleagues

· If you are concerned, always seek advice and support, and let the child/adult know that you will be speaking to a colleague, in order to help them further.

· Be aware that not all children/adults will tell you that they are being abused or are upset about something, be prepared to ask them how they are if you are worried about them.

Reporting of Concerns/Disclosure

· It is vital for the successful operation of this policy that all incidents and observations, however insignificant-seeming, are logged by the observer(s) with the CPO.

· Upon disclosure by a child or adult, the staff member or volunteer involved will approach either the Activity Organiser/Group Leader or the Streetcage Sports Child Protection Officer. The issue will not be discussed with anyone else other than these designated people.

· The nature of the disclosure will be clearly documented. The staff member/volunteer will put in writing what was said and by whom, how things progressed and any other relevant factual details. These records will be stored securely by the CPO.

· The CPO may seek informal advice from the Duty Officer at Social Services with regard to the details of the disclosure.

· If it is decided that a referral to Social Services is necessary, the CPO will notify them of their concerns, providing as much information as possible (name (correct spelling), date of birth, address, home telephone number/alternative contact number, family structure, ethnicity, religion, GP, school, etc.)

· Involvement of the child/young person/adult who has made the disclosure will be central to the process. Full explanation will be given on what is happening, who is being spoken to and why.

· Streetcage Sports’S role in this process is simply a collection and transfer of information. Staff and volunteers will be aware not to make any judgements or assessments on the details given. Social Services will undertake the appropriate assessment.

Allegations Against Workers or Management

· If a child or parent makes allegations to STREETCAGE against any person working for the Association, whether paid or unpaid, the following procedure will come into force –

· The person receiving the complaint will at once contact their Group Leader/Activity Organiser, who contact the Chair or his deputy. The Chair will contact the CPO who will then contact Social Services to appraise them of the situation. Normally this will be through informal channels, but if there is a criminal allegation, the contact will be formal with the Duty Social Worker and also to the Police.

· The Chair should inform the person against whom an allegation has been made as soon as possible UNLESS there appears to be a case that this might prejudice a criminal investigation. This will require consultation with the Police to ascertain.

· The course of action to be taken thereon will be decided by the nature of the allegation(s): -

a. If a criminal allegation, the Chair will suspend the person from any activity in the project under the heading of ‘alleged Gross Misconduct’. This will remain in force until the Police and/or Social Services confirm that there was no substance to the report. An incident report will be made, held by the CPO and treated as confidential.

b. If there is no criminal allegation, the CPO will gather as much detail from available sources of information as possible (without seeking to interview any child) and will make a recommendation on whether or not to suspend the worker accordingly. This may include a non-criminal situation that would lead to a decision of gross-misconduct. In this instance, the person in question should have the opportunity to give an explanation or answer to any allegation at a meeting conducted by the CPO, which will be minuted.

· The outcome of any investigation will be reported by the CPO to the Chair who will make the decision to either terminate employment or voluntary service or to re-instate the worker following any disciplinary procedures as required.

· The Chair, in consultation with other Officers as available, may effect instant dismissal before the final outcome of an investigation, if the evidence warrants it, e.g. if someone is caught in the act of committing an offence involving a child on STREETCAGE property.

Review of this Policy

STREETCAGE shall review this policy, its effectiveness and regarding its implementation every 2 years and the CPO shall ensure that the views of all workers, paid & voluntary, are sought and reflected in such a review process, and that any statutory authority input is sought as appropriate.