Child Protection Policy

Molesey Head Races.
Incorporating Molesey Veteran Head and Molesey Junior Head.

Please note that Fe Wood is responsible for Welfare. She will be based at Molesey Boat Club, and may be contacted on 07850 270002.

Policy

  1. Children and young people(1) competing at Molesey Head Races can expect to participate in a safe and enjoyable environment.
  1. Molesey Head Races comply with the BRITISH ROWING policy on child protection, “Good Practice in Rowing.”(2) Competing clubs and schools are required, by BRITISH ROWING rules, to be affiliated to BRITISH ROWING and are also required to comply with this policy.
  1. Club or school coaches, teachers or junior co-ordinators are responsible for the safety and welfare of their junior competitors at all times and they, or a designated substitute is expected to be available at the regatta while their crews are present.
  1. Molesey Head Races officials, sponsors, volunteers, staff employed by service providers, e.g. catering, and the press and publicity agencies, do not generally have direct contact with, nor authority over, children.  However, each will be informed of their responsibility for vigilance and to report inappropriate behaviour.
  2. Anyone observing apparent child abuse or inappropriate behaviour should report it to Race Control who will immediately inform the Welfare Officer who will respond to the matter according to “Good Practice in Rowing”. This policy is incorporated in the Molesey Head Races regulations and will be publicised.
  3. The Molesey Head Races committee carries out a thorough risk assessment each year and BRITISH ROWING vets its procedures and regulations. This ensures as far as realistically possible that the safety of juniors is assured.
  1. Once on the water, all rowers are subject to the Molesey Head Races water safety rules and to the BRITISH ROWING Rules of Racing which are implemented by BRITISH ROWING qualified umpires.

The role of the Welfare Officer is:

To be fully conversant with the BRITISH ROWING Good Practice in Rowing policy.

To ensure that British Rowing requirements (as paragraph [5] above) is included in the regulations and instructions to crews, the event programme and displayed prominently at  Molesey Head Races.

To advise the Molesey Head Races organising Committee on child protection issues during the organisation and hosting of the event.

To ensure that mechanisms are in place to ensure all Molesey Head Races officials, volunteers, service providers and others are advised of the Child Protection policy.

To attend the Molesey Head Races and to deal with any incidents according to the above policy.

To liaise with the BRITISH ROWING Child Protection Officer and other agencies, as required.

Reference

Chapter Four of BRITISH ROWING Good Practice in Rowing states:

“It is not the responsibility of anyone working under the auspices of the BRITISH ROWING or in a member club, whether in a paid or a voluntary capacity, to decide whether or not child abuse is taking place. However, there is a responsibility to inform appropriate agencies of possible abuse so that they can then make inquiries and take any necessary action to protect the child.”

The key points to follow when responding to suspicions or allegations of abuse, as set out in Good Practice in Rowing are:

Respond swiftly
React calmly
Reassure
Receive evidence
Record
Report

(1) Anyone under the age of 18 is considered to be a child/young person
(2) Good Practice in Rowing Participant Welfare, good practice and child protection policy and procedures. Amateur Rowing Association 2006.
(3) Chapter 4, Responding to suspicions and allegations in BRITISH ROWING Good Practice in Rowing.

Reviewed 14/12/22