BURNTISLAND SHIPYARD AFC

YOUNG PLAYER PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENT

Burntisland Shipyard Amateur Football Club is fully committed to promoting, supporting and safeguarding the wellbeing of all young players in its care. We recognise children’s rights to protection as provided in Article 19 of the UNCRC: all forms of physical or mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse.  ‘Child protection’ means protecting a child from child abuse or neglect, as stated within the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2014. 

For the purposes of this policy a young player is recognised as someone under the age of 18 years.  This policy applies to all young players regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion, socio-economic status or family circumstance.

Burntisland Shipyard Amateur Football Club will:

• Respect the rights of young players as paramount.

• Promote the rights and wellbeing of young players by providing opportunities for them to take part in football safely.

• Promote and implement appropriate procedures to safeguard the wellbeing of young players and protect them from abuse, ensuring they know what to do and who they can speak to if they need help.

• Require members of staff and volunteers to adopt and abide by this policy and sign up to the Code of Conduct for Safeguarding Young Player’s Wellbeing.

• Train, support and supervise appropriate members of staff and volunteers to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect young players from abuse and to reduce risks.

• Respond to any allegations of poor practice, misconduct or abuse of young people in line with procedures as well as implementing, where appropriate, the relevant disciplinary and appeals procedures.

• Observe guidelines issued by local Child Protection Committees for the protection of young people.

• Regularly monitor and evaluate the implementation of this policy and these procedures and include young player’s views in this process.

Review

This policy and associated procedures will be regularly reviewed and will include young player’s participation and feedback on the content and actual experience of implementation as part of the review:

• In accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection and safeguarding of young players or following any changes within the Scottish FA.

• Following any issue or concern raised about the protection and safeguarding of young players within the [organisation name] and/or the Scottish FA.

• In all other circumstances, at least every three years.

Burntisland Shipyard AFC August 2017