Child Protection
Sport is an everyday activity for many young children and young people and makes a significant contribution to their well being and development. 86% of cheerleaders in Britain are under 18. We believe cheerleading coaches staff and helpers have a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in Cheerleading from harm. Whether involved in sport at a local level or competing in a national championship all children and young people have a right to have fun, be safe and be protected from harm. Therefore we beleive that at The Gems Organisation we make a provision for children and young people that must ensure that: All children, whatever their age, culture, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs have the right to protection from abuse.
All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded swiftly and appropriately.
All staff working within the squad has a responsibility to report concerns to appropriate persons.
Acknowledge that all Cheerleading staff/volunteers are generally not trained to deal with situations of abuse nor have the ability to decide if abuse has occurred.
Policy Statement
The Gems has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in cheerleading from harm. All children have a right to protection, and the need of others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account.
The Gems staff will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in cheerleading through adherence to the child protection guidelines adopted by The Ice Gems.
Policy Aims
The aims of The Ice Gems child protection policy is to promote good practice in:
1. Providing children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst involved in cheerleading activities.
2. Allowing all staff to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues.
A Safe Environment
Cheerleading offers a valuable contribution to the development of athletic skills and the promotion of worthwhile values through positive leadership, teamwork and community involvement. Cheerleaders learn to trust and respect adults of the squad. This places staff/volunteers in a unique position of trust and confidence.
This position of trust is one in which a child may feel the need to contribute in you, or where you may feel that all is not well in the child’s life. The Ice Gems has a duty to ensure all volunteers are equipped with the necessary information and knowledge to provide the support and guidance they need.
A safe environment is thus not just working to cheerleading safety guidelines, ensuring safety techniques are taught thoroughly. It is a duty of care to ensure that all aspects of the child’s safety and well being are paramount, and cared for.
What Is Child Abuse
There are four commonly recognised categories of child abuse. These are:
Physical abuse – hurting or injuring a child, for example, by hitting or shaking them. This category is also likely to include bullying.
Sexual Abuse – when an adult exploits their power, authority or position and uses a child sexually to gratify their own needs – it could range from sexually suggestive comments to full intercourse.
Neglect – this usually means failing to meet children’s basic needs such as food, warmth, adequate clothing, medical attention etc it could also mean failing to ensure they are safe or exposing them to harm.
How Does This Affect Us?
There maybe a time when a child approaches a trusted adult in our squad to discuss a problem in their life. It is vital that you know how to react to this in a sensitive and appropriate manner. It maybe something outside cheerleading, it may be something relating to relationships and behaviors that you had not been aware of.
Good Practice Guidelines
All personnel should be encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behavior in order to safeguard children and ensure their welfare, and also to protect themselves from false allegations. The following are common sense examples of how to create a positive culture and climate within cheerleading
Treating all young people equally and with respect and dignity.
Always putting the welfare of each young person first, before winning or achieving goals.
Maintaining a safe and appropriate distance with cheerleaders.
Avoiding private or unobserved situations; with the exception of previously arranged private lessons.
Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers children to share in the decision making process.
Making sport fun, enjoyable and promoting fair play.
Involving parent/gaurdian wherever possible.
Ensuring that at all competitions or residential events, adults should not enter children’s rooms or invite children into their room unless cleared by management to do so.
