Child Welfare Policy

Perth Strathtay Harriers is committed to creating and maintaining a safe environment for children and young persons, particularly those under the age of 18, to practice all forms of athletics. We do this by:

• Recognising that the child’s welfare is paramount and that their participation in athletics should be in an enjoyable and safe environment whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity

• Recognising that adults involved at the club have a duty of care to young athletes to protect them from bullying and undue pressure in training and competition whether it be from coaches, managers, other athletes or parents
• Ensuring that all our officials, coaches and volunteers are carefully selected and accept responsibility for helping to prevent the abuse of children in their care

• Responding swiftly to all allegations of abuse in consultation with the appropriate agency where required and providing parents and children with the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have

• Appointing Child Welfare Officer(s) who will take the responsibility for child safety and act as the main point of contact for parents, children and outside agencies

• Adopting National Policies and Codes of Conduct for all officials, coaches, volunteers and parents/guardians of young athletes (ref. www.scottishathletics.org.uk)

• Ensuring that access to confidential information is restricted to the Child Welfare Officer(s) or the appropriate external authorities in line with the Data Protection Acts 1984 and 1998, Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 and the common law of confidentiality

• Reviewing the effectiveness of the policy each year at the Annual General Meeting or as required