Child Protection Policy

The Club has adopted the Policy of the British Canoe Union (BCU) as stated in the "BCU Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults Policy booklet" a copy of the text of which is on file in the Clubhouse.

The club has a responsibility to safeguard and promote the interests and wellbeing of children, 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.

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 prevent their abuse. Abuse may be physical, sexual, emotional or neglect (indications of child abuse are described in the BCU booklet).

The club promotes good practice in canoeing and related activities in order to reduce situations for the abuse of children and to protect volunteers and others. If you suspect any form of child abuse or feel that as a child you have been abused in anyway or wish to make a complaint, please tell someone immediately.

The Club has appointed two persons, one of whom should be approached in the first instance, if possible. These are Mandy Lowes (tel. 01228 542420) and Tony Colla (tel. 01228 539361), who may be contacted at any time with your concerns. In order to protect children and junior club members, it is important that all coaches and any individuals who may be in a position of supervising young people should be aware of the Club's Child Protection Procedure .

NSPCC Child protection Helpline 0800 800 500