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Policy Statement

Northern Rivers Sailing Club (the Club) is committed to safeguarding children (defined as under 18 years of age)   taking part in its activities from physical, sexual or emotional harm, neglect or bullying.  The Club recognises that the safety, welfare and needs of children and young people under the age of 18 are paramount and that all children, irrespective of age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual or gender identity or social status, have a right to protection from discrimination and abuse. 

Club Welfare Officer

The Club’s Committee nominates a Welfare Officer whose details are available in the Red Book. He/she will ensure that all Members of the Club are aware of this policy and will be available to discuss any concerns that might arise.  

Staff and Volunteers

Children under the supervision of a parent, guardian  or carer are welcome at Club social events. However, the Club does not offer events specifically for children, there is no membership option for children except as part of a family, and children are not permitted to enter Club regattas and races as helms.  They may crew with their parents, guardian, carer or other responsible and authorised person.  At all Club events children are expected to be supervised by their parents, guardian, carer or other responsible, authorised person. In the event that any Club officer or volunteer was  brought  into regular contact with young people, they would be asked to provide references and may be required to apply for an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure.

Good Practice

All members of the Club should follow the good practice guidelines below (sourced from the RYA) and agree to abide by the Club’s Code of Conduct and the RYA Racing Charter contained in the Racing Rules of Sailing . Those working or 
volunteering with young people should also  be aware of the RYA  guidance on recognising abuse . The Club recognises the comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Guidelines provided by the RYA  and will refer to these for guidance.

The Club will seek written consent from parents/carers before taking photos or video of a child at an event or publishing such images.  Parents and spectators should be prepared to identify themselves if requested and state their purpose for photography/filming.  If the Club publishes images of children, no identifying information other than names will be included.  Any concerns about inappropriate or intrusive photography or the inappropriate use of images should be reported to the Club Welfare Officer.  

Members are advised that the following is good practice recommended by the RYA:

• Avoid spending any significant time working with children in isolation
• Do not take children alone in a car, however short the journey
• Do not take children to your home as part     of your organisation’s activity
• Where any of these are unavoidable, ensure that they only occur with the full knowledge and consent of someone in

   charge of the organisation or the child’s parents
• Design training programmes that are within the ability of the individual child
• If a child is having difficulty with a wetsuit or buoyancy aid, ask them to ask a friend to help if at all possible
• If you do have to help a child, make sure you are in full view of others, preferably another adult
• Restrict communications with young people via mobile phone, e-mail or social media to group communications

  about organisational matters.  If it is essential to send an individual message, copy it to the child’s parent or carer.

You should never:
• engage in rough, physical or sex ually provocative games
• allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any form
• allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged, or use such language yourself when with children
• make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun
• fail to respond to an allegation made by a child; always act
• do things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves.

It may sometimes be necessary to do things of a personal nature for children, particularly if they are very young or disabled. These tasks should only be carried out with the full understanding and consent of the child (where possible) and their parents/carers.  In an emergency situation which requires this type of help, parents should be fully informed. In such situations it is important to ensure that any adult present is sensitive to the child and undertakes personal care tasks with the utmost discretion.

Concerns
Anyone who is concerned about a child’s welfare within the Club should inform the Club Welfare Officer  immediately, in strict confidence. The Club Welfare Officer will follow the procedures recommended by the RYA.

Any member of the Club failing to comply with this Safeguarding Policy for Children or the Club’s Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action under the Club Rules as published in the Red Book.

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