Child Protection Policy

Name of Welfare Officer – Mick Murphy 

Responsible to – The Management Committee

As the Club Welfare Officer for Metro Judo Club I can be contacted either via your child’s coach, or mjcmaidstone@gmail.com.  If you have any concerns about the welfare of any of our judoka please make contact with me in confidence. It is the responsibility of the whole club to ensure children’s welfare and everyone has a role to play.

My primary role is to be the first point of contact for staff/volunteers, parents and children/young people where there are concerns about the welfare of a child, poor practice or child abuse.  Support is provided by the British Judo Association Lead Child Protection Officer, who will offer guidance in the event of any issue raised, and the Area Child Protection Committee.  Confidentiality will be maintained in line with BJA policy, and I have a duty to advise the Management Committee on its approach and ensuring that this is monitored and reviewed.

Policies

Metro Judo Club Maidstone  adheres to the policies as laid down in the ‘Safelandings’ document produced by the BJA.   It is an important and comprehensive guide which sets out how we expect all our club members to behave and confirms that the welfare of the child is, and always must, be paramount.  It explains how to recognise abuse and how to raise any concerns. It includes our Child Protection Policy, Whistle-blowing Policy Equality Policy and Codes of Conduct for coaches, volunteers, referees, parents and carers.    

Metro Judo Club Online Safety and Social Media Policy 

Metro Judo Club Maidstone Child protection policy 

Statement of acceptable use of internet and social media 

Code of Conduct for Parents / Carers

• Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them
• Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials
• Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results
• Never force your child to take part in Judo
• Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all
• Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes
• Publicly accept officials’ judgements
• Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their Judo
• Use correct and proper language at all times

In addition to ‘Safelanding’s' the British Judo Association webiste has important information regarding where to seek help with mental health issues.  Below are just some links:

https://www.britishjudo.org.uk/member-wellbeing/

https://www.britishjudo.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Safelandings-Nov-2018.pdf

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.bigwhitewall.com/

NSPCC/O2 Helpline 0808 800 5002 – www.o2.co.uk/help/nspcc/child-protection

Childnet – www.childnet.com

The UK Safer Internet Centre – www.saferinternet.org.uk

This policy provides guidance on how Metro Judo Club Maidstone uses the internet and social media, and the procedures for doing so. It also outlines how we expect coaches, parents, volunteers, and the children and young people who are members of our club, to behave online.

Aims

The aims of our online safety policy are:

• to protect all children and young people involved with our club and who make use of technology (such as mobile phones, game consoles and the internet) while in our care
• to provide coaches and volunteers with policy and procedure information regarding online safety and inform them how to respond to incidents
• to ensure our organisation is operating in line with our values and within the law regarding how we behave online

Understanding the online world

As part of using the internet and social media, our club will:

understand the safety aspects – including what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour for our coaches and children – when using websites, social media, apps and other forms of digital communication

•  be aware that it doesn’t matter what device is being used for digital interaction, but that the same safety aspects apply whether it is a computer, mobile phone or game console
• when using social media platforms (including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram), ensure that we adhere to relevant legislation and good practice guidelines
• regularly review existing safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that online safeguarding issues are fully integrated, including:
• making sure concerns of abuse or disclosures that take place online are written into      our reporting procedures
• incorporating online bullying (‘cyberbullying’) in our anti-bullying policy
• provide training for the person responsible for managing our club’s online presence.

Managing our online presence

Our online presence through our website or social media platforms will adhere to the following guidelines:

• all social media accounts will be password-protected, and at least 3 committee members will have access to each account and password
•  the account will be monitored by a designated person, who will have been appointed by the club committee
• the designated person managing our online presence will seek advice from our Child Welfare Officer to advise on safeguarding requirements
• inappropriate posts will be removed, with an explanation as to why, and anyone affected will be notified (as well as the parents of any children involved)
• account, page and event settings will be set to ‘private’ so that only invited club members can see their content
• identifying details such as a child’s home address, school name or phone number will not be posted on social media platforms
• any posts or correspondence will be constant with our aims
• we will ensure children and young people are aware of who to contact if they have any concerns about the running of the account
• parents will be asked to give their approval for us to communicate with their children through social media, of by any other means of communication
• parents will be asked to give their permission for photographs or videos of their child to be posted on social media
• all our accounts and emails addresses will be appropriate and fit for purpose.

We expect coaches and volunteers:

• to be aware of this policy and behave in accordance with it
• to seek the advice of the Child Welfare Officer if they have any concerns about the use of the internet or social media
• to communicate any messages they wish to send out to children and young people to the designated person responsible for the organisation’s online presence
• not ‘friend’ or ‘follow’ children or young people from personal accounts on social media
• not communicate with young people via personal accounts or private messages
• to choose a more formal means of communication with parents, such as face-to-face, in an email or in writing, or use an organisational account, profile or website
• to copy at least one other committee member into any emails sent to children or young people
• to avoid communicating with children or young people via email outside of normal office or hours, or session times
• sign emails off in a professional manner, avoiding the use of emojis or symbols such as ‘kisses’ (X’s)
• to deal with any disclosures of abuse reported through social media in the same way as a face-to-face disclosure, according to our reporting procedures
• to respect the private lives of others and not take or distribute pictures of other people if it could invade their privacy
• along with young people, not to engage in ‘sexting’ or sending pictures to anyone that are obscene, indecent or menacing.

We expect children and young people:

• to be aware of this online safety policy and agree to its terms
• to ensure their online behaviour is consistent with the guidelines set out in our accept able use statement on all digital devices, including smart phones, tablets and consoles.

Using mobile phones or other digital technology to communicate

• When using mobile phones (or other devices) to communicate by voice, video or text (including texting, email and instant messaging), we’ll take the following precautions to ensure the safety of young people:
• coaches/volunteers will avoid having children’s or young people’s mobile numbers and will instead seek contact through a parent or guardian
• we’ll seek parental permission on each occasion we need to contact children or young people directly; the purpose for each contact will be clearly identified and agreed upon
• a method of accountability will be arranged, such as copies of texts also being sent to the CWO or parents
• texts will be used for communicating information, such as reminders of upcoming events, and not to engage in conversation
• if a young person misinterprets such communication and tries to engage a coach/volunteer in conversation, that person will either end the conversation/stop replying, or suggest discussing the subject further at the next practice or event.  The CWO should be appraised, as well as other appropriate agencies if there are concerns about the child/young person in question.

Using mobile phones during sports activities

Pinewood Judo Club discourages the use of mobile phones during practice sessions/events and, as part of this policy, we will;

• make children aware of how and who to contact in an emergency, or in the event of a change to previously agreed arrangements with the club
• inform parents of appropriate times they can contact children who are away at camps or trips and discourage them from attempting to make contact outside these times
• advise parents it may not be possible to contact children during activities and provide a contact within the club who can be reached in an emergency
• explain to children/young people how using mobile phones during activities has an impact on their safe awareness of their environment, and their level of participation and achievement.

Use of other digital devices and programmes

The principles in this policy apply no matter which current or future technology is used – including computers, laptops, tablets, web-enable games consoles and smart TVs – and whether an app, programme or website is used.

If any digital devices are used as part of activities within the club:

• we expect children and young people to adhere to the guidelines surrounding online use and behaviour set out in our acceptable use policy
• we’ll establish appropriate restrictions/parental controls on any device provided to prevent misuse or harm.

As a club we commute to implementing this policy and addressing any concerns quickly and within these guidelines.

Further information for parents/carers on keeping children safe online

• NSPCC/O2 Helpline 0808 800 5002 – www.o2.co.uk/help/nspcc/child-protection
• Childnet – www.childnet.com
• The UK Safer Internet Centre – www.saferinternet.org.uk

Metro Judo Club Maidstone acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice of the BJA requirements.

The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children

• have a positive and enjoyable experience of sport at Pinewood Judo Club in a safe and child centred environment 
• are protected from abuse whilst participating in judo sessions or outside of the activity.

Metro Judo Club Maidstone acknowledges that some children, including disabled children and young people or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.  

As part of our safeguarding policy we will

• promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
• ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people
• ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern
• ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored
• prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals
• ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.

The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved at Metro Judo Club Maidstone . Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.

Monitoring.

The policy will be reviewed a year after development and then every three years, or in the following circumstances:

• changes in legislation and/or government guidance
• as required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, UK Sport and/or Home Country Sports Councils and the British Judo Association.
• as a result of any other significant change or event.

(Last reviewed January 2023)

Metro Judo Club Maidstone understands the importance of online communication for children’s and young people’s development. However, we recognise that relevant safeguards need to be put in place to ensure children and young people remain safe while online or using social media.

We ask that all parents / carers spend a few minutes to read through and discuss this statement with their child and then sign and return this form to your coach.

*Agreement of child / young person

1. I will be responsible for my behaviour when using my phone at the sports club, including the content I access and how I conduct myself.
2. I will not deliberately create, browse or access material that could be considered offensive or illegal. If I accidentally come across any such material, I will report this to a member of staff.
3.  I will not use social media or the internet to send anyone material that could be considered threatening, offensive, upsetting, bullying or that is illegal.
4.  I understand that I should only use the club’s (or organisation’s) official social media or website communication channels to contact them and should not seek out individual members of staff or coaches.
5. I understand that all my use of internet and social media is potentially visible to everyone and that any issues involving my behaviour online may be addressed by my coach or other staff members at the club.
6. I will not give out any of my personal information (such as name, age, address or telephone number) online, or that of anyone else.
7. I will not share my passwords with anyone else.
8. I will not arrange to meet someone that I have met online unless accompanied by a member of staff or parent.
9. I understand that these rules are designed to keep me safe, and if they are not followed my parents may be contacted
10. I will avoid using my mobile phone during activities as I understand that it will have an impact on my safety and my opportunity to learn and achieve
11. I am aware that if I am experiencing bullying behaviour or abuse online, I can contact the Child Welfare Officer.
12. I know I can contact Childline on 0800 11 11 or at childline.org.uk if I have any worries about something I’ve seen or experienced online.