Hercules Wimbledon Athletic Club (HWAC) subscribes to the policies on welfare and child protection published by UK Athletics, the national governing body, and additionally provides guidance to all its members (athletes, coaches and volunteers) to ensure their rigorous implementation.  A summary of these policies and procedures is set out below.

POLICY

·        Hercules Wimbledon AC embraces its moral and legal duty to protect children and vulnerable adults taking part in athletics from abuse by the creation and promotion of a safe, friendly, happy, and secure club environment.

·         Hercules Wimbledon AC respects human rights and operates without discrimination on grounds of gender, race, colour, language, religion or sexual orientation

·         Hercules Wimbledon AC respects the dignity and recognises the contribution of each individual

·         Hercules Wimbledon AC recognises that abuse can be:

• Physical – including abuse of drink and drugs

• Emotional – including verbal abuse by language, sarcasm, scorn or public humiliation

• By neglect – including overstretching a young person’s ability or ignoring them

• Sexual – by suggestion or through conversation as well as physically

• By breaching trust – by encouraging cheating or favouritism
  Hercules Wimbledon AC also recognises that abuse may occur in other ways as well.

CHILD WELFARE AND PROTECTION OFFICER

Mrs Yvonne Dunne, 8 Barton Green, New Malden, Surrey KT3 3HU Tel.No.020 8878 5547 is the club’s designated Child Welfare and Protection Officer.  It is her role to keep up to date with all child protection issues; to oversee all matters to do with child protection at the club; to be the club’s link with the police, social services and other agencies; to advise the club’s Management Committee on the implementation of good practice; to be the first point of contact on any child protection case, or any potential child protection case, at the club; and to advise a coach or volunteer who may be the subject of allegations.

RECRUITMENT

All new coaches and volunteers are required to make written applications and to be CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked.  All appointments have to be approved by the club’s Management Committee.

INDUCTION AND TRAINING OF COACHES AND VOLUNTEERS

All coaches and volunteers are given details of the club’s welfare and child protection policy, codes of conduct and health and safety procedures as part of their induction.  Copies of these policy documents are readily available within the club (either in the clubhouse or from the secretary).

REPORTING

Abuse manifests itself in different ways and coaches and volunteers need to be alert to possible symptoms such as bruising, distress, changing behavioural patterns. It is not the responsibility of a coach or a volunteer to investigate but to report their concerns clearly and quickly to the designated officer.