Fleckney and Kibworth Running Club are committed to maintaining the highest standards of athlete protection in all club activities. Our members will adhere to the following policy
Accept the moral and legal responsibility to implement procedures to provide a duty of care for all athletes within the sport, safeguard their well-being and protect them from abuse.

Respect and promote the rights, wishes and feelings of all young people taking part in athletics including those disabled and/or vulnerable.

Recruit, train and supervise its members and volunteers to adopt best practice in all equality issues, to safeguard and protect all athletes from abuse, and themselves against false allegations.

Require staff/volunteers to adopt and abide by the UK Athletics Welfare Policy and Procedures, Athletics Codes of Conduct and Investigatory, Grievance, Disciplinary and Appeals procedures.

Respond to any allegations appropriately and implement the appropriate disciplinary and appeals procedures.

Promote adherence to the Welfare policy through providing education, training and information.

Develop good practice guidance in relation to recruitment, selection, training of coaches, officials and volunteers

Establish a club welfare officer to enforce these measures

Produce information material for those involved in athletics

The aims of Fleckney & Kibworth Running Club in relation to the ‘Athletics Welfare’ policy are to:

Ensure the highest possible standards of safety and welfare for all athletes of all ages and others engaged in running club activities and events, especially children and vulnerable adults

Embed a process of continuous improvement in its ongoing work on welfare in the sport

Adopt and promote good practice in the welfare and protection of athletes and other athletics personnel

Demonstrate ethical standards of leadership and behaviour in all its work

ATHLETE PROTECTION POLICY

PART TWO

Principles

The main principles underpinning this policy are:

Safety – the welfare of the athlete will always be paramount

Equality – the right of everyone involved in athletics to equitable treatment, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, ability, sexual orientation or social background, will be upheld

Responsiveness – all allegations or suspicions of abuse or violations of athlete welfare will be taken seriously and acted upon appropriately and speedily. Those found to be spreading malicious or false allegations will be disciplined according to the relevant procedures

Consent – those with parental responsibility will be consulted if it becomes necessary to invoke the procedures that accompany ‘Athletics Welfare’

Compliance with the statutory system in each of the areas the law, including guidelines and rules set down by the CRB, CRBS and PECS and the Home Office. Fleckney & Kibworth Running Club will work in partnership with Social Services/Work Departments, Police Child Protection Units, ACPCs, CPCs, the CPSU, Children First and other relevant agencies in order to ensure compliance with this policy

Fairness - the human rights of staff, coaches, athletes or volunteers facing allegations will be embodied in disciplinary and appeals procedures

This policy recognises and builds on legal and statutory definitions of children and other vulnerable athlete categories.
The distinction between ages of consent, civil and criminal liability are recognised but in the pursuit of good practice in the delivery and management of athletics a child is recognised as being under the age of 18 years.

Adults looking after children in the absence of the person with parental responsibility have to take reasonable care in all circumstances, regardless of the age of the child.
The athletes welfare is paramount.
All athletes, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse.

All incidents of suspicious poor practice and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
All athletes have a right to participate in athletics in an enjoyable and safe climate.
Young athletes have a right to expect appropriate management, support, personal and social development with regard to their involvement in all levels of athletics.

It is the responsibility of social services experts to determine whether or not abuse has taken place but it is everyone’s responsibility to report any concerns.

Confidentiality should be upheld in line with the Data Protection Acts 1984 and 1998, and the common law of confidentiality.
Scope

All members of Fleckney & Kibworth Running Club involved in the coaching of athletes are responsible for
Recognising and referring to the appropriate agency anyone who has been subjected to poor practice, abuse or misconduct by someone else, whether inside sport (by another staff member or athlete) or outside sport (such as the family or peer group);
Observing and encouraging good practice when working with athletes in order to avoid perpetrating poor practice, abuse or other types of misconduct;
Taking precautions to avoid false allegations against themselves;

Safeguarding the good name and integrity of the sport of athletics.