Safeguarding Policy

The Club has adopted the British Canoeing Policy and Procedures for child and vulnerable adult protection and is fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of its members. 
  
All members should show respect and understanding for the rights, safety and welfare of others, and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the Club. 
  
The Club has a responsibility to safeguard and promote the interests and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults, to take all reasonable steps to protect them from harm, discrimination, or degrading treatment and to respect their rights, wishes and feelings. 
  
It is the responsibility of every adult member of the Club to protect children from abuse. In this context, a child is considered to be anyone under the 18 years of age. 
  
All Club Coaches, helpers and officials working with young people and vulnerable adults should read and adhere to the British Canoeing Child Protection and Vulnerable Groups Protection Policy and Procedures. (see links below)
  
The Club will follow the guidance given in the policy and procedure in the event of any concerns or allegations. 
  
The sporting environment is only one of several in which abuse can occur, others being school and the home. Everyone involved with the Club be they a Coach, Volunteer or Official, should safeguard the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and prevent their abuse. Abuse may be physical, sexual, emotional or neglect. 
  
The Club promotes good practice in paddlesports and related activities in order to reduce situations for the abuse of children or vulnerable adults and to protect Volunteers and others. 
  
In order to protect children/junior/vulnerable adult Club members, it is important that all Coaches and  any individuals who may be in a position of supervising young people are aware of the Club's Child Protection Procedure.
 If any Club member suspects any form of child/vulnerable adult abuse or feel that as a child they have been abused in anyway or wish to make a complaint, they are strongly encouraged to report this to a Club Coach or Official

or directly to the Club Welfare Officer (CCCwelfare@outlook.com)

who will pass the information on to appropriate external safeguarding authorities.
If the Club Welfare Officer is not available you can contact the British Canoeing Safeguarding  Officer 0773 4453430  or Email:  NSPCC Child protection Helpline 0800 800 500