This document is the Child Protection Policy for Saddleworth Village Olympics, which will be promoted by those in a position of leadership within the organisation and adhered to by all other members.

The purpose of the Saddleworth Village Olympics is to provide and promote sporting opportunities for the children, between the ages of 7 and 16 years, within the seven competing village teams.

The organisation does not undertake sporting activities with children without the permission of their parents/ carers, via a valid registration document. Parents/ carers remain responsible for their children’s welfare, at all times, throughout all the sports undertaken by the organisation.

Every attempt will be made by the villages to ensure that children/ young people are protected during the games and also during the training therefore, organisers will insist on a minimum of two adults being present at all training sessions. If this is not feasible, the training session will be cancelled
therefore, it is the responsibility of parents/ carers to ensure the training will proceed before they leave their child/ren at a venue.

We recognise that a young person can be vulnerable to abuse. The purpose of this policy is to make sure that the actions of any adult or young person, in the context of the sports undertaken by this organisation, are transparent and safeguard and promote the welfare of all young people.

Where there are concerns regarding a child and suspected abuse, or disclosure of abuse, of any form, during the Saddleworth Village Olympics or the training events, it may be necessary to contact the relevant agencies to inform them of our concerns. This will be undertaken with the knowledge of the
parent/ carer of the child concerned and any information given will be treated as confidential, to be shared with only the appropriate agency to protect the welfare of the child. All children, parents and carers will be treated with sensitivity and respect.

If it is found that any suspicious injuries have occurred whilst a child is participating in the games, the Child Protection Officer will be immediately informed prior to a full investigation taking place. As stated above, relevant agencies may become involved, with the parents’/ carers’ consent and
knowledge, whilst maintaining confidentiality at all times.

The Saddleworth Village Olympics Committee do, occasionally, provide publicity photographs to the local press and photographs of the various sporting events will be available to view on the Saddleworth Village Olympics website. The committee acknowledge that this will not be appropriate for all
children and it therefore remains the responsibility of the parent/ carer to inform their village Team Manager if photographs are not to be published. Every attempt will be made to ensure photographs of children who are to remain anonymous are withdrawn. If it comes to the attention of a committee
member that a photograph has been released on the website in error, please contact your Team Manager immediately and the photograph will be removed. The committee will not identify any child by name without express permission of the parent/ carer.

If any parent or young person / child has any concerns about the conduct of member of the committee, or indeed any other individual, this should be raised in the first instance with CAROLE BELL, the designated Child Protection Officer for the Saddleworth Village Olympics. Any concerns will be
recorded, signed, dated and any relevant information will then be kept on file for any future proceedings.

Saddleworth Village Olympics Committee
May 2011