Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy Statement
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Scope This policy covers Cheltenham Bridge Club and any events in support of, or in partnership with, Cheltenham Bridge Club.
Cheltenham Bridge Club acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults, and is committed to ensuring its safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and the English Bridge Unions Youth Care and Safety Policy and Guide.
This policy recognises that the welfare and interests of young people are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socio-economic background, all young people have a positive and enjoyable experience of Minibridge and/or Bridge in a safe environment, and are protected from abuse whilst participating in these activities or outside of the activity.
Cheltenham Bridge Club acknowledges that some young people, including disabled children and young persons 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 Cheltenham Bridge Club 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
- manage all aspects of the individual young persons Minibridge/Bridge development, particularly when the parent/carer is not a bridge player. It is considered bad practice to approach a young person directly to offer support, or to offer to partner them in a game of Bridge. All approaches, including requests for personal details, must be made through the Safeguarding Officer, or nominated representative (which can be a bridge playing parent/carer)
- adopt the principles of the English Bridge Unions Youth Care and Safety Policy and Guide, as its own where references to EBU will refer to CBC
- do its utmost best to provide a safe environment to enjoy the game when a parent/carer is not present to do so. However, it does not accept any responsibility for private arrangements made by a parent/carer.
The policy and procedures will be mandatory for everyone involved in Cheltenham Bridge Club. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in further action in accordance with the English Bridge Unions Youth Care and Safety Policy and Guide.
Following are three appendices, Good Practice Guidelines, Online Bridge and a code of conduct for Clubs and Youth Workers
CBC Safe-guarding officer Ro Kaye (safeguarding@cheltenhambridgeclub.co.uk):
Ro Kaye, Safeguarding officer, 07843082665,
LADO: 01452 426565
Email: LADO@gloucestershire.gov.uk
This 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 English Bridge Union
- as a result of any other significant change or event.
Ro Kaye June 2017
Tabled: 29.6.17
Approved:
Date for review: June 2018
Reviewed April 2018
Reviewed June 2021
Approved by Cheltenham Bridge Club CIO Management Committee 26/07/2022
Approved by Cheltenham Bridge Club CIO Trustees 25/08/2022
To be reviewed July 2023
Appendix 1
GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR YOUTH BRIDGE
Good practice principles
Good practice will help to create a positive culture and climate within our sport. The following principles should be adhered to by all those working with young people in bridge:
- Ensure bridge is fun and enjoyable by treating all young people equally, with respect and dignity; by confronting and dealing with bullying; by promoting fair play and giving time and attention equally to both the more and less talented.
- Recognise the developmental needs and capacity of each young person and place their welfare before winning or achieving goals, avoiding excessive training or competition and not pushing them against their will.
- Build balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers young people to share in the decision-making process. Give enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
- Be an excellent role model this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of young people.
- Conduct all tuition, coaching and meetings in an open environment, avoiding one-to one coaching in unobserved situations.
- Maintain a safe and appropriate distance with players. It is not appropriate to have an intimate relationship with a young person aged 16-17. One adult should never share a room with one young person. (It is, however, acceptable for two members of a partnership or junior team to share a room when one is 18 or over and the other is aged under 18.)
- Ensure that any photographers/video operatives or similar wishing to attend bridge events are given a clear brief, wear identification and are not given unsupervised access to players. Obtain written parental consent before using any photographs or images of children, and take especial care when displaying pictures on the internet to ensure that children are not identifiable by name.
- Involve parents/carers wherever possible, in particular whenever arranging away travel or overnight accommodation. If mixed teams are taken away, they should always be accompanied by a male and female member of staff. Adults should not enter childrens rooms or invite children on their own into their rooms.
- Secure parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis, if the need arises to give permission for the administration of emergency first aid and/or other medical treatment. Keep a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.
- Request written parental consent if it is necessary to transport young people by private cars.
Appendix 2
ONLINE BRIDGE AND MINIBRIDGE
All bridge with children and young people should now take place on RealBridge so that directors are aware of who is at the table and no kibitzers can enter the game.
However, if there are occasions when students are playing on-line on another platform then the following guidelines apply.
- Particular care is needed when providing online bridge and Minibridge activities. Parents are advised to check the controls provided by any provider of online bridge services prior to allowing children to access them.
- The English Bridge Union guidance is followed by Bridge Club Live, which provides an Acol based game and is the EBU-affiliated online bridge club, whereby:
- Parental permission is obtained before membership of the club is permitted to young
- people under 18, using telephone checks to parents/guardians to verify this.
- Chat facilities are permitted only table-wide, not one-to-one. Offensive words are not
- permitted in messages.
- All chat messages and sticky notes to and from junior members are logged, and the
- logs are sent to parents/guardians on a regular basis.
- Parents are able to set limits on the length of time a young person may play online Bridge or minibridge each day
Appendix 3
Code of Conduct for Clubs & Youth Workers
Model Code of Conduct for Bridge Clubs and all Youth Workers.
On behalf of
Bridge Club, I agree that all club officials, staff, teachers and volunteers working in any bridge or Minibridge-related activity will:
In my capacity as
., I agree that I will:
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all players, officials and volunteers at all times
- Treat everyone equally regardless of age, sex, ethnic origin, religion, political persuasion,
- sexual orientation or physical disability
- Consider the well-being and safety of players before the development of performance
- Develop an appropriate working relationship with players, based on mutual trust and
- respect
- Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking
- part
- Promote the positive aspects of bridge (eg, ethics and fair play)
- Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance
- Follow all guidelines laid down by the English Bridge Union and the Club
- Never exert undue influence over players to obtain personal benefit or reward
- Encourage players to value their performances and not just results.
Signed
Date .....................................
Name (Block capitals)
Position
Club/School/Organisation name
* Please delete as appropriate
Scope This policy covers Cheltenham Bridge Club and any events in support of, or in partnership with, Cheltenham Bridge Club.
Cheltenham Bridge Club acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults, and is committed to ensuring its safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and the English Bridge Unions Youth Care and Safety Policy and Guide.
This policy recognises that the welfare and interests of young people are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socio-economic background, all young people have a positive and enjoyable experience of Minibridge and/or Bridge in a safe environment, and are protected from abuse whilst participating in these activities or outside of the activity.
Cheltenham Bridge Club acknowledges that some young people, including disabled children and young persons 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 Cheltenham Bridge Club 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
- manage all aspects of the individual young persons Minibridge/Bridge development, particularly when the parent/carer is not a bridge player. It is considered bad practice to approach a young person directly to offer support, or to offer to partner them in a game of Bridge. All approaches, including requests for personal details, must be made through the Safeguarding Officer, or nominated representative (which can be a bridge playing parent/carer)
- adopt the principles of the English Bridge Unions Youth Care and Safety Policy and Guide, as its own where references to EBU will refer to CBC
- do its utmost best to provide a safe environment to enjoy the game when a parent/carer is not present to do so. However, it does not accept any responsibility for private arrangements made by a parent/carer.
The policy and procedures will be mandatory for everyone involved in Cheltenham Bridge Club. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in further action in accordance with the English Bridge Unions Youth Care and Safety Policy and Guide.
Following are three appendices, Good Practice Guidelines, Online Bridge and a code of conduct for Clubs and Youth Workers
CBC Safe-guarding officer Ro Kaye (safeguarding@cheltenhambridgeclub.co.uk):
Ro Kaye, Safeguarding officer, 07843082665,
LADO: 01452 426565
Email: LADO@gloucestershire.gov.uk
This 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 English Bridge Union
- as a result of any other significant change or event.
Ro Kaye June 2017
Tabled: 29.6.17
Approved:
Date for review: June 2018
Reviewed April 2018
Reviewed June 2021
Approved by Cheltenham Bridge Club CIO Management Committee 26/07/2022
Approved by Cheltenham Bridge Club CIO Trustees 25/08/2022
To be reviewed July 2023
Appendix 1
GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR YOUTH BRIDGE
Good practice principles
Good practice will help to create a positive culture and climate within our sport. The following principles should be adhered to by all those working with young people in bridge:
- Ensure bridge is fun and enjoyable by treating all young people equally, with respect and dignity; by confronting and dealing with bullying; by promoting fair play and giving time and attention equally to both the more and less talented.
- Recognise the developmental needs and capacity of each young person and place their welfare before winning or achieving goals, avoiding excessive training or competition and not pushing them against their will.
- Build balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers young people to share in the decision-making process. Give enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
- Be an excellent role model this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of young people.
- Conduct all tuition, coaching and meetings in an open environment, avoiding one-to one coaching in unobserved situations.
- Maintain a safe and appropriate distance with players. It is not appropriate to have an intimate relationship with a young person aged 16-17. One adult should never share a room with one young person. (It is, however, acceptable for two members of a partnership or junior team to share a room when one is 18 or over and the other is aged under 18.)
- Ensure that any photographers/video operatives or similar wishing to attend bridge events are given a clear brief, wear identification and are not given unsupervised access to players. Obtain written parental consent before using any photographs or images of children, and take especial care when displaying pictures on the internet to ensure that children are not identifiable by name.
- Involve parents/carers wherever possible, in particular whenever arranging away travel or overnight accommodation. If mixed teams are taken away, they should always be accompanied by a male and female member of staff. Adults should not enter childrens rooms or invite children on their own into their rooms.
- Secure parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis, if the need arises to give permission for the administration of emergency first aid and/or other medical treatment. Keep a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.
- Request written parental consent if it is necessary to transport young people by private cars.
Appendix 2
ONLINE BRIDGE AND MINIBRIDGE
All bridge with children and young people should now take place on RealBridge so that directors are aware of who is at the table and no kibitzers can enter the game.
However, if there are occasions when students are playing on-line on another platform then the following guidelines apply.
- Particular care is needed when providing online bridge and Minibridge activities. Parents are advised to check the controls provided by any provider of online bridge services prior to allowing children to access them.
- The English Bridge Union guidance is followed by Bridge Club Live, which provides an Acol based game and is the EBU-affiliated online bridge club, whereby:
- Parental permission is obtained before membership of the club is permitted to young
- people under 18, using telephone checks to parents/guardians to verify this.
- Chat facilities are permitted only table-wide, not one-to-one. Offensive words are not
- permitted in messages.
- All chat messages and sticky notes to and from junior members are logged, and the
- logs are sent to parents/guardians on a regular basis.
- Parents are able to set limits on the length of time a young person may play online Bridge or minibridge each day
Appendix 3
Code of Conduct for Clubs & Youth Workers
Model Code of Conduct for Bridge Clubs and all Youth Workers.
On behalf of
Bridge Club, I agree that all club officials, staff, teachers and volunteers working in any bridge or Minibridge-related activity will:
In my capacity as
., I agree that I will:
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all players, officials and volunteers at all times
- Treat everyone equally regardless of age, sex, ethnic origin, religion, political persuasion,
- sexual orientation or physical disability
- Consider the well-being and safety of players before the development of performance
- Develop an appropriate working relationship with players, based on mutual trust and
- respect
- Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking
- part
- Promote the positive aspects of bridge (eg, ethics and fair play)
- Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance
- Follow all guidelines laid down by the English Bridge Union and the Club
- Never exert undue influence over players to obtain personal benefit or reward
- Encourage players to value their performances and not just results.
Signed
Date .....................................
Name (Block capitals)
Position
Club/School/Organisation name
* Please delete as appropriate
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