Introduction

This welfare policy is primarily intended to develop a sense of awareness and guidance on child protection for all those involved in the Kingston Wheeler Cycling Club. However, this policy is also concerned about the welfare of everyone at the club irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion and political view. Everyone who is involved in the club is entitled to access an enjoyable and safe environment and to have the chance to experience the excitement, challenge and achievement inherent to the sport.

Club Policies

Kingston Wheelers Cycling Club has a constitution, know as the Club Rules which governs the club and the clubs officers. We also have Members Terms which govern the expected behavior of all members of Kingston Wheelers Cycling Club.

Aims

The Kingston Wheeler Club aims to be friendly, welcoming and inclusive and this policy reinforces this ethos by determining what good standards are, and by defining what is acceptable within our sport. To ensure this, the Kingston Wheelers Club welfare policy will enable individuals to comply with codes of good practice.

Roles and Responsibilities

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the welfare of all within the sport. The Kingston Wheelers Club Welfare Officer is responsible for ensuring that welfare concerns are met at club level, and is the main contact with British Cycling and other agencies on these issues. We require our coaches, members and volunteers to abide by British Cycling welfare policy and procedures and associated codes of conduct.

Policy Statement

Kingston Wheelers Cycling Club believes that everyone involved in the club should be made to feel welcome and included. They should thrive, fare well and enjoy safety, security and protection from abuse, maltreatment or misconduct during participation in the club. Everyone involved in the club is responsible for upholding this belief. The club recognise that they have a responsibility to ensure the highest standard of care to all (including children) involved in cycling.

Kingston Wheelers Cycling Club will:

• Accept the moral responsibility to implement the British Cycling procedures to provide a duty of care for all people (including children) within the club, safeguard their well-being and protect them from abuse.
• Respect and promote the rights, wishes and feelings of people taking part in cycling including young people, disabled and/or vulnerable adults.
• Promote and implement appropriate policies and procedures to provide a duty of care for all people (including any children and vulnerable adults) within the club, to safeguard their well-being and protect them from abuse. This will require coaches, volunteers, participants and parents/carers to adopt and abide by this welfare policy and disciplinary procedures.
• Recruit, train, support and supervise its coaches and volunteers to adopt best practice in all equality issues, to safeguard and protect young people from abuse and themselves against false allegations.
• Respond to any allegations appropriately and implement the appropriate disciplinary procedures.
• Ensure our nominated welfare officer is up to date with the latest good practice training and guidance in relation to welfare issues.

This policy is based on the following main principles:

• Safety – the welfare of participants will always be paramount and everyone has the right to participate in cycling in an enjoyable and safe climate.
• Equality – the right of everyone involved in the club to be treated equally, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or social background.
• Responsiveness – all allegations or suspicions of abuse or violations of participant’s welfare will be taken seriously and acted upon appropriately and swiftly. Those found to be spreading malicious or false allegations will be disciplined according to the relevant procedures.
• A child is recognised as someone under the age of 18 years.
• Adults looking after children in the absence of the person with parental responsibility have to take reasonable care in all circumstances, regardless of the age of the child.
• 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.
• Kingston Wheelers Cycling Club shall work in partnership with British Cycling and other relevant agencies in order to ensure compliance with this policy.
• Fairness – the human rights of coaches, volunteers or participants facing allegations will be embodied in disciplinary procedures.

Kingston Wheeler Club Welfare Officer

Kingston Wheelers Cycling Club in line with British Cycling policy has a Club Welfare Officer. Matt Craig is the officially registered Club Welfare Officer and has been Disclosure & Barring Service checked and passed the training required by British Cycling policy. Matt is also a member of the committee and is seen at club events from club runs, road races and social events. Please contact him with any questions, concerns or information you feel might be relevant at welfare@kingstonwheelers.com

British Cycling Club Welfare Policy’s

British Cycling Safeguarding and Protecting Children Policy
British Cycling Safeguarding and Protecting Vulnerable Adults Policy
British Cycling has a fundamental commitment to safeguard and protect children in cycling. With our partners, we are working to improve polices, procedures, and practices to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience of children and young people in cycling. Allegations of poor practice, drug use, equality issues and possible child abuse should be reported to the Child Protection Lead Officer (CPLO).
Contact
Simon Thornton (Compliance Manager)
Phone: 0161 274 2082
Email: compliance@britishcycling.org.uk
Out of hours tel: 0161 274 2002
In case of an emergency situation contact:
Police: 999
NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
Childline: 0800 1111
Child Protection in Sport Unit
Disclosure & Barring Service