Welcome

245314 Visitors
since 10 July 2000

Child Protection, Ethics & Welfare

"Our strategic policy includes our committment to ensure that the safety and welfare of children is paramount in our priorites."

Voluntary Staff

John Liebling is our Leader for Ethics & Welfare, and we are greatful to Fiona Clark who joins with him in this valued assistance to our Club.

Time To Listen - 12th Nov 06. John L and Terry W successfully completed the TTL course in Hemel Hemstead, a course run in support of NSPCC guidelines, and another step closer in our quest to gain B.G. GymMark accreditation.

Child Protection Awareness Training - 28th Oct 06. Terry W, Graham W, Cheryl B, Kayleigh M, Pete H, Lynne D, Emma M, and Julie G all successfully completing the CPA course run by British Gymnastics in London Colney.

Policy Detail

At Our Training Facility
Anyone that sees or experiences bullying or other unacceptable behaviour should in the first instasnce report this to either John, Fiona or Terry. The matter will then be dealt with following an established process.

At Competitions
The Coach (or the Team Manager at a Competition) will initially investigate incidents of bullying or other unacceptable behaviour. In all proven incidents the victims will receive support from Ministry Of Air and disciplinary action will be taken concerning the bully.

Process Overview
If the individual does not respond to an informal approach, the Coach or Team Manager will meet with the individual and their parents/guardians and will issue and record a verbal warning.

If the individual continues to misbehave, then Ministry Of Air Management, who will issue a written warning to the individual and their parents/guardians.

With continued unacceptable behaviour Ministry Of Air Management will issue a second written warning.

If the behaviour does not stop, Ministry Of Air Management will permanently exclude the individual from Ministry Of Air, and recommend exclusion from the Sports Centre and any other associated activities without any further recourse.

What Is Bullying?

  • Deliberate hostility and aggression towards the victim
  • A victim who is weaker and less powerful than the bully or bullies
  • An outcome which is always painful and distressing for the victim

Bullying can be:

  • Physical:    Pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching, and other forms of violence including threats.
  • Verbal:       Name-calling, sarcasm, derision, belittling, spreading rumours, persistent teasing
  • Emotional:  Excluding (i.e. "sending to Coventry") ridicule, humiliation, tormenting (hiding possessions, threatening gestures)
  • Racist:       Racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
  • Sexual:      Unwanted physical contact or abusive comments

Persistent bullying can result in:

  • Depression
  • Low self esteem
  • Under-achievement
  • Shyness
  • Poor academic results
  • Isolation
  • Threatened or attempted suicide

Unchecked bullying also damages the bully who learns that he or she can get away with violence, aggression and threats and that this sort of behaviour gets them what they want. When children who are bullies, carry on bullying as adults they run into all sorts of problems.