Bath Chess Club Safeguarding Roles

  • Lead for Safeguarding – Barry Raynes
  • Safeguarding Officer – Barry Raynes

 

Bath Chess Club Safeguarding Policy

The aim of Bath Chess Club is to operate as a not for profit organisation that will encourage, support and promote chess playing in the area. We aim to provide a suitable environment and equipment for club members and visitors to play chess.

It acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people aged up to 18 years and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice.

The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children and young people are paramount in all circumstances as enshrined in the Children Act 1989. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or identity, or socioeconomic background, all children

  • have a positive and enjoyable experience of chess in a safe and child centred environment
  • are protected from harm and abuse whilst participating in chess or outside of the activity.

It also aims to provide club officials and members with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

The club 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 the club will

  • promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
  • value, listen to and respect 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
  • make clear who the designated Lead for Safeguarding and Safeguarding Officer are and their role.
  • ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individuals who raise or disclose the concern
  • ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored
  • prevent the involvement of unsuitable individuals
  • ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation
  • share concerns with agencies who need to know, involving parents and children appropriately.

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

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely –

  • Children Act 1989
  • United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991
  • Data Protection Act 1998
  • Sexual Offences Act 2003
  • Children Act 2004
  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
  • Children and Social Work Act 2017

Relevant government guidance on safeguarding children including:

Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018 and 2019)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children–2

and

Bath & North East Somerset Community Safety & Safeguarding Partnership Procedures

https://www.proceduresonline.com/swcpp/banes

Monitoring

The policy will be reviewed annually, or in the following circumstances:

  • changes in legislation and/or government guidance
  • as required by the Community Safety and Safeguarding Partnership or the club executive committee
  • as a result of any other significant change or event.

The Safeguarding Policy is approved by the club executive committee.

Bath Chess Club Policy Procedures

Bath Chess Club operates in venues which are open to the general public during play, with shared areas within the venues.

Bath Chess Club will work in partnership with parents to provide a safe environment for children.

Parents are encouraged to attend the club with their children and to provide any necessary supervision.

There are regular occasions when no members of the club executive committee are present to oversee the activities. This being the case, the club cannot take responsibility for the supervision of children.

Children under the age of eleven will need to be accompanied at all times by a carer whilst they are visiting Bath Chess Club.

For older children, parents will need to assess whether the child is mature enough to attend unaccompanied, and whether they can be trusted to behave responsibly. Parents should only allow children to attend alone if this is the case. The members of the executive committee have discretion to address any issues arising, and for matters to be considered on a case by case basis.

Club members will be encouraged to ensure that children are kept safe while in attendance at the club, and that reasonable steps are taken to ensure children are protected. Members will be asked to be watchful for any potential dangers, and to be proactive in dealing with any issues that occur.

In particular, care will be taken to ensure that the following do not take place.

  • Abusive peer activities such as bullying and ridiculing
  • Inappropriate physical contact
  • Inappropriate remarks or gestures
  • Favouritism

All club members will be instructed to avoid all situations where they are alone with a child.

  • Any coaching of children must be carried out in the presence of other members of the chess club
  • Players must not withdraw from the main playing area with children to analyse games
  • When travelling to and from away matches, drivers must arrange lifts so as to avoid being alone with a child at any time

Club members will be instructed to avoid all communication outside of the club setting, and to make any arrangements for matches through contact with parents. However, where requested by parents for older children who manage their own diaries, these children can be contacted directly to arrange matches, but parents must be copied into all communications.

Club members will be instructed to avoid all online communication with children at the club.

Visiting clubs are welcome to include juniors in their teams. However, opposition teams will be subject to the safeguarding principles of Bath Chess Club whilst visiting its venues. Bath Chess Club will endeavour to keep opposition juniors safe whilst visiting, but final responsibility rests with the visiting club.

Club members will be directed to report any suspicion, disclosure or allegation without delay to the Safeguarding Officer.

 

ECF Policy Procedures

For information.

https://www.englishchess.org.uk/safeguarding-children-policy/