Youth & School Bridge Club  (YSBC)– CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Whilst the primary function of the YSBC is to promote Bridge, it recognises its responsibility for the welfare of children attending on-line and off-line events it organises. As an organisation affiliated to the English Bridge Union (EBU), the YSBC has based its policy, guidelines and code of conduct on the EBU’s Child Protection Policy.

It is the policy of the YSBC as far as possible to safeguard the welfare of all people attending its events by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm.

However, it is also the policy of the YSBC to make clear to parents their responsibilities.  In particular, the entry form for (or other relevant communications or web site associated with) a YSBC event should include the following statement:  "Parental Responsibility:  The organisers accept no responsibility for any loss, theft or accident during off-line events. Parents should be aware that some on-line games are video-based and parent’s should ensure that the background in the video does not disclose anything of a personal nature. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that on-line games are played in a safe and supervised environment. Adult supervision will only be provided in the playing areas in off-line games.  Parents are responsible for their children during events, and agree to the terms and conditions in this registration form as a condition of entry.  A player's grading information will be published electronically.”

Officials: There are several posts such as Bridge Buddies which may involve a considerable degree of time with children.  In general, the activity will involve regularly supervising, training or being in sole charge of children within playing areas. 

It is the policy of the YSBC that it will only recommend Bridge Buddies for whom a satisfactory DBS check has been obtained. 

Further it is the YSBC’s policy that only people for whom such a clearance has been obtained may run a tournament section (or equivalent) unsupervised.  (People without such a clearance may still operate a section but only under the supervision of another adult for whom a clearance has been obtained).

DBS check process and confidentiality: For those identified as requiring a satisfactory DBS Check the Committee Member with responsibility for overseeing YSBC’s Child Protection Policy will record and retain in strict confidence the results of disclosures obtained.  If s/he is in any doubt as to whether a given disclosure is satisfactory[1], s/he should consult only the Secretary of the YSBC.

GUIDELINES

These guidelines apply to any person acting in an official capacity on behalf of the YSBC at a YSBC organised event.  In particular, these include tournament directors, bridge buddies and organisers.

What happens if……?

a) If you suspect a child is being abused

1) immediately inform the YSBC official in charge of the event
2) record the facts as you know them and give a copy to the YSBC official
3) ensure that the child has access to an independent adult
4) ensure that no situation arises which could cause further concern
5) ensure access to confidential information is restricted to appropriate officials on a ‘need to know’ basis.

b) If a child tells you about abuse by someone else

1) allow the child to speak without interruption, accepting what is said.
2) alleviate feelings of guilt and isolation, while passing no judgement
3) advise that you will try to offer support, but that you must pass the information on
4) same steps as 1 – 5 above

c) If you receive any allegation of abuse about any adult or about yourself

1) Immediately inform the YSBC official in charge of the event
2) record the facts as you know them and give a copy to the YSBC official
3) try to ensure that no-one is placed in a position which could cause further compromise

The YSBC official will take appropriate action, in consultation with appropriate Committee Member(s) strictly on a ‘need to know’ basis.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Do:

• Put the guidelines into practice
• Treat everyone with respect
• Provide an example you wish others to follow
• Plan activities which involve more than one other person being present or at least are within sight or hearing of others. This applies to such activities as one-to-one training and travelling to or from Bridge events.
• Respect a young person’s right to privacy
• Provide access for young people to talk to identifiable responsible adults about any concerns they may have. Deal with any concerns in a sympathetic and appropriate manner.
• Encourage young people and adults to feel comfortable and caring enough to point out attitudes or behaviour they do not like
• Avoid situations that compromise your relationship with young people and are unacceptable within a relationship of trust.  Remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well-intentioned.
• Recognise that caution is required even in sensitive moments of counseling
• Recognise that children with differing abilities have differing requirements.
• Recognise that children from different backgrounds may have differing values.

Do NOT:

• Permit abusive peer activities (e.g. bullying, ridiculing)
• Play physical contact games with young people
• Have any inappropriate physical or verbal contact with others
• Allow yourself to be drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviour such as tantrums
• Show favouritism to any individual
• Make suggestive remarks or gestures even in fun
• Let suspicion, disclosure or allegation of abuse go unrecorded or unreported
• Rely on just your good name to protect you
• Believe ‘it could never happen to me’

Notes on Unacceptable Behaviour by Children

• Participants should be encouraged to develop a sense of right and wrong behaviour.
• Where unacceptable behaviour does take place, appropriate sanctions, decided by a consensus of responsible people present, should be applied to modify the behaviour
• Sanctions applied to each case should take account of the age and stage of development of the young person, be given at the right time, be relevant to the action and be fair
• The participant must always be told why the behaviour is unacceptable and the reasons for applying a particular sanction
• Corporal punishment (smacking, slapping or shaking) is illegal and therefore should never be used. It is permissible to take necessary physical action in an emergency to prevent personal injury, either to the young person, other participants or adults, or serious damage to property
• Participants should not be shouted at directly, though raising of the voice is permissible in instances where it is necessary to be heard

Updated March 2021