Royal Windermere Yacht Club Child Welfare Policy and Procedures

Revised March 2019

Policy Statement

The Royal Windermere Yacht Club is committed to safeguarding, from physical,
sexual or emotional harm, neglect or bullying, children taking part in its activities. We
recognise that the safety, welfare and needs of the child are paramount and that all
children, irrespective of age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual or gender
identity or social status, have a right to protection from discrimination and abuse.
For the purposes of this policy anyone under the age of 18 should be considered as
a child. All members of the Club should be aware of the policy.

Club Welfare Officer

The Club Welfare Officer is: Mrs Lisa Knaggs 

Staff and Volunteers

All Club staff and volunteers whose role brings them into regular contact with young
people will be asked to provide references. The Club Welfare Officer and those
regularly instructing, coaching or supervising young people will also be asked to
apply for an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure, with Barred List check if
appropriate. This will be organised by the Honorary Secretary.

Good Practice for Instructors, Coaches and Volunteers
• Avoid spending any significant time working with children in isolation
• Do not take children alone in a car, however short the journey
• Do not take children to your home as part of your organisation’s activity
• Where any of these are unavoidable, ensure that they only occur with the full
knowledge and consent of someone in charge of the organisation or the child’s
parents
• Design training programmes that are within the ability of the individual child
• If a child is having difficulty with a wetsuit or buoyancy aid, ask them to ask a friend to
help if at all possible
• If you do have to help a child, make sure you are in full view of others, preferably
another adult
• Restrict communications with young people via mobile phone, e-mail or social media
to group communications about organisational matters. If it’s essential to send an
individual message, copy it to the child’s parent or carer.

You should never:
• engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games
• allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any form
• allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged, or use such language
yourself when with children
• make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun
• fail to respond to an allegation made by a child; always act
• do things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves.

It may sometimes be necessary to do things of a personal nature for children, particularly if
they are very young or disabled. These tasks should only be carried out with the full
understanding and consent of the child (where possible) and their parents/carers. In an
emergency situation which requires this type of help, parents should be fully informed. In
such situations it is important to ensure that any adult present is sensitive to the child and
undertakes personal care tasks with the utmost discretion.

Royal Windermere Yacht Club Association Code of Conduct

It is the policy of Royal Windermere Yacht Club that all participants, coaches,
instructors, officials, parents and volunteers show respect and understanding for
each other, treat everyone equally within the context of the sport and conduct
themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the club/class. The aim is for all
participants to enjoy their sport and to improve performance.
Abusive language, swearing, intimidation, aggressive behaviour or lack of
respect for others and their property will not be tolerated and may lead to
disciplinary action.

Participants
• Listen to and accept what you are asked to do to improve your performance and
keep you safe
• Respect other participants, coaches, instructors, officials and volunteers
• Abide by the rules and play fairly
• Do your best at all times
• Never bully others either in person, by phone, by text or online
• Take care of all property belonging to other participants, the club/class or its
members

Parents

• Support your child’s involvement and help them enjoy their sport
• Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results
• Never force your child to take part in sport
• Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes
• Encourage and guide your child to accept responsibility for their own conduct and
performance
• Respect and support the coach
• Accept officials’ judgements and recognise good performance by all participants
• Use established procedures where there is a genuine concern or dispute
• Inform the club or event organisers of relevant medical information
• Ensure that your child wears suitable clothing and has appropriate food and drink
• Provide contact details and be available when required
• Take responsibility for your child’s safety and conduct in and around the
clubhouse/event venue

Coaches, Instructors, Officials and Volunteers

• Consider the welfare and safety of participants before the development of
performance
• Encourage participants to value their performance and not just results
• Promote fair play and never condone cheating
• Ensure that all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of
those taking part
• Build relationships based on mutual trust and respect
• Work in an open environment
• Avoid unnecessary physical contact with young people
• Be an excellent role model and display consistently high standards of behaviour
and appearance
• Do not drink alcohol or smoke when working directly with young people

• Communicate clearly with parents and participants
• Be aware of any relevant medical information
• Follow RYA and club/class guidelines and policies
• Holders of RYA Instructor and Coach qualifications must also comply with the
RYA Code of Conduct
• Holders of RYA Race Official appointments must also comply with the RYA Race
Officials Code of Conduct.
If you are concerned that someone is not following the Code of Conduct, you should
inform our Welfare Officer or the person in charge of the activity.