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Downend and Fishponds Chess Club ("the Club", "D&FCC") facilitates the playing of social, league and online chess in Bristol and the surrounding district. It acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people aged up to 18 years and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice.
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The Club recognises that the welfare and interests of children and young people are paramount in all circumstances as enshrined in the Children Act 1989. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or identity, or socioeconomic background, all children:
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Have a positive and enjoyable experience of chess in a safe and child centred environment;
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Are protected from harm and abuse whilst participating in chess or outside of the activity.
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The Club also aims to provide club members with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.
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The Club acknowledges that some children, including disabled children and young people 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 the Club will:
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Promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
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Value, listen to and respect children and young people.
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Ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding.
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Make clear who the designated Safeguarding Officer is and their roles.
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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.
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Ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.
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Prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals.
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Ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.
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Share concerns with agencies who need to know, involving parents and children appropriately.
- The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in the Club, including its officers. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.
Legal Framework
- This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely:
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Children Act 1989
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United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1991
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Data Protection Act 1998
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Sexual Offences Act 2003
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Children Act 2004
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Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
- Relevant government guidance on safeguarding children including: Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018 and 2019).
Monitoring
- The policy will be reviewed annually, or in the following circumstances:
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Changes in legislation and/or government guidance.
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As required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board or the D&FCC committee.
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As a result of any other significant change or event.
The D&FCC Child Protection Policy was approved by the D&FCC committee on 9th October 2023.
The policy as described above outlines the formal steps that the club has put in place.
Equally important are the actions that we expect from individual members and the following guidance is designed to help them and the parents both of junior members and prospective ones.
We are very fortunate to have so many junior players at the club. This is primarily because we have always encouraged juniors to attend club nights and, when ready, help them to step up to league chess. However, this comes with some responsibilities. For a club of our size, and with such a growing number of juniors, it is essential that we should have some specific guidelines to support our formal Child Safeguarding Policy (please see above / website)
All Juniors under 16 years of age are required to have a parent or appointed guardian in attendance while they are at the club. This includes playing in matches, or simply taking part in a Wednesday evening club night. This certainly doesn’t mean they have to sit right next to them, but just be in the club premises, and available if needed. If a parent has arranged for another parent to look after their child whilst at the club this is of course fine. The above also applies to any away club matches that an under 16 may be playing in. Members are advised not to give a junior a lift to or from a match in their car unless this has been agreed with their parent or guardian beforehand.
As the Fishponds Club is licensed premises it is also important that members, when playing against juniors, are mindful to keep alcoholic drinks at an appropriate distance please. Our juniors come from a variety of different backgrounds and cultures, and it would be appreciated if we all have some sensitivity to this.
We ask all members to conduct themselves in a responsible and friendly manner with the juniors and set a good example to the young players of the future. We wish to create a completely safe and nurturing environment, and do our best to give our junior members an enjoyable and fulfilling experience while at Downend and Fishponds. We need to be mindful that some juniors are even as young as 8 or 9, so no swearing within their earshot please, and at all times please use appropriate language that is both friendly, nurturing and encouraging.
We have an excellent record in looking after our junior members and it is hoped and expected that no untoward incident will occur, but this doesn’t excuse us from not considering and having some child safeguarding procedures in place. All adults have a responsibility to Child
Safeguarding, and if something ever seems untoward, or you are concerned about a junior’s wellbeing or behaviour whilst at the club please report this, as soon as is possible, to myself or club secretary John Paines. It is our responsibility to document any concerns or incidents, and if necessary refer them on to appropriate authorities/parties
It goes without saying that we also very much and at all times expect all our juniors to be polite and respectful to other juniors and adults as well, and of course to the staff who work at the Fishponds Club.
Incidentally, the same consideration that we expect towards juniors also applies to all categories of people, including any vulnerable adults who may attend the club.
John Stubbs - Safeguarding Officer jcdstubbs@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07876 326935
John Paines – Club Secretary john.paines@cegedim.com