Statement of Intent

British Canoeing and Southbourne Canoe Club are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our members so they can participate in our sport in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable. If bullying does occur, all paddlers or parents should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING organisation. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the club welfare officer or any committee member.

Please note: This policy refers to Bullying of children and young people.

What Is Bullying?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can include:

Physical – pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence and theft

Verbal – name calling, constant teasing, sarcasm, racial or homophobic taunts, graffiti, gestures

Sexual – unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

Emotional – tormenting, ridiculing, humiliating and ignoring

Cyber – All areas of internet, such as email, social media and internet chat room misuse. Mobile phone threats by text message, calls, photos and video.

Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?

Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everyone has the right to be treated with respect. Paddlers who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.

We have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this Policy

All committee members, coaches, volunteers and parents/carers should have an understanding of what bullying is

All committee members, coaches, volunteers should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported

All junior paddlers and parent/carers should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises

As an organisation we take bullying seriously. Junior paddlers and parents/carers should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported

Bullying will not be tolerated

 

Signs and Symptoms

A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child:

is unwilling to go to club sessions

becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence

feels ill before training sessions

comes home with clothes torn or possessions damaged or missing

asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully)

has unexplained cuts or bruises

is bullying other children or siblings

is frightened to say what’s wrong

gives improbable excuses for any of the above

is afraid to use the internet or mobile phone

In more extreme cases:

starts stammering

cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares

becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable

stops eating

runs away or attempts or threatens suicide

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.

Procedures

1          Report bullying incidents to your Club Welfare Officer or a member of the committee.

2          In cases of serious bullying, the incidents should be referred to British Canoeing for advice or   contact one of the organisations listed below.

3          Parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem

4          If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted

5          The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly

6          An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour

Recommended Action

If the club decides it is appropriate for them to deal with the situation they should follow the procedure outlined below:

Reconciliation by getting the parties together.   It may be that a genuine apology solves the problem. If this fails or is not appropriate, a panel should meet with the parents/carers to obtain exact details of the allegation. The panel should comprise of the Club Chair, the Club Welfare Officer (CWO) and one other committee member. Minutes should be taken for clarity; these must be agreed and signed as a true account.        The Club Welfare Officer (CWO) will follow British Canoeing Child and Vulnerable Groups Protection Policies and Procedures British Canoeing should always be informed and will provide advice on action to be taken British Canoeing will treat the allegation as a Child Protection concern.

Prevention

The Club will adopt British Canoeing Child and Vulnerable Groups Protection Policy and Procedures. This includes codes of conduct for all members and an anti-bullying policy

All members will sign to accept the Club Child Protection Policy upon joining the club

The Club Welfare Officer will raise awareness of bullying within the Club. If issues of bullying arise then they will consider meeting with the paddlers to discuss the issue openly and constructively

In the case of adults alleged to be bullying:

The Club Welfare Officer (CWO) will follow British Canoeing Child and Vulnerable Groups Protection Policies and Procedures

British Canoeing should always be informed and will provide advice on action to be taken

British Canoeing will treat the allegation as a Child Protection concern.

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Chairman

05 03 2020

Ken Reagan

We acknowledge our thanks to KIDSCAPE who provide this policy for schools. KIDSCAPE is a voluntary organisation committed to help prevent child bullying.

HELP ORGANISATIONS: KIDSCAPE Anti-Bullying Helpline for Parents 0845 1205 204 Family Lives 0808 800 2222 NSPCC 24 hour help line 0808 800 5000