Child Protection Policy

	Statement
	Aims
	Roles
	Good Practise Guidelines
	Action
	What is abuse?
	Recognition of Abuse
	Confidentiality, Support and Bullying
	Further Help
	Guidelines for use of photographic and filming equipment

Guidelines for Good Practice

All BYAFA volunteers and coaching staff are encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behaviour in order to protect themselves from false allegations. The following are common sense examples of how to create a positive culture and climate within American Football.

	Always work in an open environment. Avoid private/unobserved situations.
	Maintain a safe and appropriate distance from players.
	If any form of manual/physical support is required it should be provided openly and according to guidelines set down by the sport's governing body BAFA. Young people should always be consulted and their agreement gained. The view of parents must also be considered, as they are becoming increasingly sensitive about manual support.
	Involve parents and carers wherever possible, particularly in the changing room environment. It is essential that that if groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms the volunteers/parents/teachers/coaches work in pairs.
	Ensure that if mixed teams are taken away, they are accompanied by a male and female members.
	Keep a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.
	Treat all young people with respect and dignity
	Put the welfare of each young person before winning or achieving goals
	Recognise the developmental needs and capacity of young people and disabled adults avoiding excessive training or competition and not pushing them against their will.
	Give enthusiastic and constructive feedback instead of negative criticism.
	Build balanced relationships based on trust empowering children to share in the decision making process
	Be an excellent role model. Make sport fun and enjoyable and encourage fair play Practice to be avoided
	The following should be avoided except in emergencies. If cases arise where these situations are unavoidable they should only occur with the full knowledge and consent of the parents/guardian.
	Avoid spending excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others.
	Avoid taking children to your home where you will be alone with them. Practice never to be sanctioned

The following should never be sanctioned. You should never:

	Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games such as horseplay.
	Share a room with a child or invite or allow children to stay with you at your home unsupervised.
	Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching.
	Make sexually suggestive comments to children, even in fun.
	Allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded, or not acted upon.
	Do things of a personal nature for children or disabled adults that they can do for themselves. It may be necessary for volunteers or coaching staff to do things of a personal nature for children (e.g. dressing and undressing children, lifting), particularly if they are young or disabled. These tasks must only be carried out with full parental consent. Be responsive to the child's reactions. If they are fully dependent on you, talk about what you are doing and give choices where possible. Avoid taking on tasks that you are not appropriately trained for.