Policy Statement

Angling Scotland is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults in its care.

It recognises the responsibility to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation.

All Angling Scotland staff, volunteers and members will work together to embrace difference and diversity and respect the rights of children and young people.

This policy statement outlines Angling Scotland’s commitment to protecting children.

These guidelines are based on the following principles:

The welfare of children is the primary concern.
All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, socio-economic status, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from all forms of harm and abuse.
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.
Organisations shall work in partnership together with children and parents to promote the welfare, health and development of children.

Angling Scotland will:

Promote the health and welfare of children by providing opportunities for them to take part in coarse angling safely.
Respect and promote the rights, wishes and feelings of children.
Promote and implement appropriate procedures to safeguard the well being of children and protect them from abuse.
Recruit, train, support and supervise its staff, members and volunteers to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect children from abuse and to reduce risk to themselves.
Require staff, members and volunteers to adopt and abide by this Child Protection Policy and these procedures.
Respond to any allegations of misconduct or abuse of children in line with this Policy and these procedures as well as implementing, where appropriate, the relevant disciplinary and appeals procedures.
Observe guidelines issued by local Child Protection Committees for the protection of children.
Regularly monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Policy and these procedures.

Child Protection Policy

The protection of children and vulnerable adults within sport is both a moral and legal obligation for every Governing Body and is something that Angling Scotland takes very seriously.

As part of its commitment to ensuring a safe environment for all participants Angling Scotland has made the protectin of Children and Vulnerable Adults a cornerstone of all of its Policies and Plans

Safe in Care Guidlines

Angling Scotland has developed the guidance in this document, in conjunction with children1st, in order to both assist clubs and volunteers in safeguarding the children and vulnerable adults in their care during normal routine activities and whilst traveling.

Procedures for Responding to Concerns about a Child

It takes considerable courage for a child or adult to disclose abuse. Disclosures need to be handled very carefully and sensitively to avoid causing further distress to the child.

All concerns must be responded to in a way that ensures that a child receives appropriate help and support and to ensure that appropriate action is taken against those who pose a risk to children and to protect not only the child involved but all other children.

These procedures set out how Angling Scotland will respond to any concerns raised

Recruitment

Angling Scotland takes great care in ensuring that the individuals accepted into posts within the organisation are appropriately qualified, vetted, interviewed and where applicable Disclosure Checked for the duties that they will be expected to undertake. For this reason Angling Scotland applies the same recruitment policy and procedures to all applicants, irrespective of the post that they are applying for.

Anti Bullying

believes that every member, coach, volunteer, parent, child and member of staff has the right to experience angling in a safe environment free from abuse and bullying.

Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and will not be tolerated within Scottish Angling.

If bullying does occur, all individuals should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING organisation!

Therefore, while this policy forms part of Angling Scotland Child Protection Guidelines it is equally applicable to everyone working, volunteering or participating in angling irrespective of age.

Code of Practice for Safeguarding Children in Angling

All Angling Scotland staff, coaches and volunteers who’s duties bring them into regular contact with children or vulnerable adults are required to read, sign and abide by the Code of Practice for Safeguarding Children in Angling which can be found by following the link below