Child Protection

Child Wellbeing & Protection Policy 

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The Scottish Handball Association (SHA) is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children in its care. It recognises the responsibility to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation. For the purposes of this policy and associated procedures a child is recognised as someone under the age of 18 years. Staff and volunteers will work together to embrace difference and diversity and respect the rights of children and young people.

This document outlines SHA’s commitment to protecting children.

These guidelines are based on the following principles:

  • The welfare of children is the primary concern.
  • All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, socio-economic status, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from all forms of harm and abuse.
  • Child protection is everyone's responsibility. 
  • Children have the right to express views on all matters which affect them, should they wish to do so.
  • Organisations shall work in partnership together with children and parents/carers to promote the welfare, health and development of children. 

Wellbeing (SHANARRI)

The Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) approach supports children and young people so that they can grow up feeling loved, safe and respected and can realise their full potential. At home, in school or the wider community, every child and young person should be:

  • Safe
  • Healthy
  • Achieving
  • Nurtured
  • Active
  • Respected
  • Responsible
  • Included

These eight factors are often referred to by their initial letters – SHANARRI.

They are wellbeing indicators which help make it easier for children and families and the people working with them to discuss how a child or young person is doing at a point in time and if there is a need for support.

Each child is unique and there is no set level of wellbeing that children should achieve. Wellbeing is influenced by children’s individual experiences and changing needs as they grow.

The Scottish Handball Association will:

  • Promote the health and welfare of children by providing opportunities for them to take part in Handball safely.
  • Respect and promote the rights, wishes and feelings of children.
  • Promote and implement appropriate procedures to safeguard the well-being of children and protect them from abuse.
  • Recruit, train, support and supervise its staff, members and volunteers to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect children from abuse and to reduce risk to themselves.
  • Require staff, members and volunteers to adopt and abide by this Child Protection Policy and these procedures.
  • Respond to any allegations of misconduct or abuse of children in line with this Policy and these procedures as well as implementing, where appropriate, the relevant disciplinary and appeals procedures.
  • Observe guidelines issued by local Child Protection Committees for the protection of children.
  • Regularly monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Policy and these procedures.

It will be a condition of Scottish Handball Association membership that member clubs:

  • Formally adopt this policy, or produce their own Child Wellbeing & Protection Policy in terms that are consistent with it; and 
  • Appoint a Child Protection Officer and ensure that their officer is trained; and 
  • take steps to ensure that their committees, members, and volunteers behave in accordance with the Child Wellbeing & Protection Policy 

It will be a condition of Scottish Handball Association membership that members:

  • commit to act in accordance with this policy; and
  • support such measures and initiatives that Scottish Handball Association may institute or take part in to advance the aims of this policy.

Review

This Policy and these Procedures will be regularly reviewed:

  • In accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection of children or following any changes within the SHA
  • Following any issues or concerns raised about the protection of children within the Scottish Handball Association
  • In all other circumstances, at least every three years.