Development Page 3

Youth Development

FRAMEWORK AND GUIDELINES

INTRODUCTION

Burntisland Shipyard Amateur Football Club recognises that, in this modern changing world, if children are to be encouraged to take an initial interest in football and thereafter have an opportunity to develop their individual skills and talents to their full potential, then this needs to be done in a properly organised manner. This inevitably relies heavily upon adult involvement.

 The club supports the Young Players Development aspirations of its parent association – The Scottish Football Association – and is dedicated to ensuring that the part it plays in young player development at local level complies with the needs of modern society and takes place in a safe, tolerant environment free from all forms of   discrimination and abuse.

 The Club’s philosophy with regard to Young Player welfare and development is detailed within the Policy Document. The Policy is complemented by this Framework and Guidelines Document, which explains in some detail:

The Status and Organisation of Burntisland Shipyard A.F.C.

The Types of Abuse which exist

The procedures and protocols adopted to eliminate discrimination and abuse

STATUS AND ORGANISATION OF THE CLUB

Burntisland Shipyard A.F.C. holds the status of full membership of The Scottish Football Association. In addition to the senior section, the club also operates a young players’ development wing that incorporates basic soccer skills development classes as well as organised youth teams.

The classification and number of young player groupings and their coaching support alters from time to time and for convenience purposes the current organisation structure is depicted in appendix 1.

In essence, the parent committee of the Club is the Burntisland Shipyard A.F.C. Management Committee and as such this committee reserves the final decision making powers in relation to any business conducted under the auspices of the Club, including the Young Players’ Development.

The Young Player’s Development Section is, however, organised and operated semi-autonomously by a committee of volunteer coaches and parents, chaired by the Young Players’ Development Co-ordinator. The structure of the Young Players’ Development Committee is determined by its current members and alters from time to time to accommodate its needs.

The Young Players’ Development Co-ordinator also operates as a member of the Club’s Management Committee and, as such, holds the primary liaison link between the Young Players’ and Senior Sections of the Club.

One further nominee from the Management Committee holds a delegate position on the Young Players’ Development Committee.

TYPES OF ABUSE

As a fundamental issue, it is imperative that every individual associated with the Club understands what is meant by the term abuse, in relation to children. The following paragraphs provide an explanation of these.

There are four main types of abuse which are described below:-

PhysicalAbuse

Physical abuse occurs when injury is sustained by actions such as striking,    hitting, shaking, squeezing, biting, burning or any attempt to use excessive force. Condoning or giving a child access to substances such as alcohol, tobacco, performance enhancing drugs, medicines, narcotics, glue, etc., is also a form of physical abuse.

In a football context, physical abuse may also be deemed to occur if the nature and intensity of training disregards the capacity of the child’s immature and growing body or predisposes the child to injury resulting from fatigue or overuse. Typical overuse injuries occur in the knee, the ankle, the shin and the lower back.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is abuse of boys and girls by adults, or other children, seeking their own sexual gratification. Types of abuse can range from full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse and fondling, through to exposing a child to pornographic videos, books and magazines or telling stories and jokes of a sexually explicit nature.

Sexual abuse can have a very damaging and enduring effect‚ requiring expert counselling to minimise the trauma.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is a failure to exhibit care and attention including instances where a child is threatened, taunted or shouted at and which, as a consequence, leads to a loss of self­esteem and confidence.

Discrimination is a form of emotional abuse and occurs when a child or children are treated unfairly compared to others for a variety of reasons such as their colour, race, religious belief, sex, size, age or social background.

Neglect

Neglect occurs when an adult fails to meet the basic needs of a child with regard to food, warmth, hygiene, clothing, medical care or proper supervision or attention.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COACHING STAFF

All of the club coaches have attained certification of their competence to undertake the development work to which they are allocated via the auspices of the Scottish Football Association. The Association ensures that Coaches are given the basic grounding to equip them topromote the fun, drama and excitement of the game while maintaining a safe, caring environment. Their coaching assistants operate in line with the instructions provided by their qualified colleagues.

The particular message that

 ‘Knowledge of Children is more important than knowledge of football’

has been recognised and adopted by all club coaches. Coaches will at all times when dealing with children seek more specifically to:

In order to avoid potential for abuse or allegations of abuse, particularly of a sexual nature, Coaches, in addition to the above general approach, will:-

Should circumstances arise where a Coach may potentially be left alone with a child or where a mixed adult presence cannot be achieved then parental or carer consent will be obtained to allow the coaching to continue.

From time to time, Coaches may suspect or be advised that a child or children are being subjected to abuse or assault from sources external to the club. Such suspicions or allegations, from whichever source, will be reported, in the first instance, to the Young Players’ Development Co-ordinator for investigatory action. If the matter is considered to be potentially serious then it will be referred to the local Social Work / Police Child Protection Unit for advice or further investigation.

ENGAGEMENT AND AUTHORITY OF COACHING STAFF

Prospective coaching staff seeking to work with the Young Players will only be engaged, if accepted by a panel, comprising the Young Player’s Development Co-ordinator and at least two other members of the Club’s Management Committee, following a satisfactory interview and the receipt of two appropriate references establishing their suitability for the role.

All coaching staff must also consent to the Club obtaining a criminal record disclosure via the Disclosures (Scotland) Legislation. In the event of the club obtaining an unsatisfactory report, all associations between the Club and the individual will cease immediately. (It should be noted that the existence of a criminal record is not in itself an automatic disqualifier. The club will give full and confidential consideration to the Disclosure information before reaching a decision)

All staff designated ‘Coach’ will hold appropriate Scottish Football Association Training Certification.

Coaching Assistants need not hold coaching certification but will be required to conduct any sessions in accordance with instructions from the designated Coach.

Assistance by responsible parents and other adult volunteers is actively encouraged but, at all times, the club insist on the coaching staff’s authority being respected.

Support and encouragement is available from the Club for all volunteers with an interest in gaining or advancing their current qualifications.

The Young Player’s Development Co-ordinator is authorised by the Management Committee to make all decisions directly relating to the coaching and development of the Young Players. All Coaches, Coaching Assistants and other Volunteer Helpers are required to respect the authority vested in the Co-ordinator who will be responsible, in the first instance, for investigating and resolving any breaches of expected behaviour.

A current list of Coaching Staff is maintained, along with their qualification and contact details, as appendix 2.

ROLE OF PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

In addition to active and passive participation in the coaching and development sessions, parents and guardians are encouraged to visit at any time to discuss any concerns or obtain answers to any queries they may have.  All offers of support are welcomed, in that this assists in minimising the potential risks to both the coaching staff and the young players.

All parents and guardians taking part or merely attending the sessions are required to adhere to the club’s standards for maintaining an abuse free environment and should ensure that they project the same image as that expected from the coaching staff.

Parents and guardians are expected to discuss the issues contained in this document with their children and instil in them the values it seeks to promote. Such actions will assist in minimising the potential for their children abusing other children and also encourage them to report incidents of abuse against themselves or their friends.

The principles conveyed in this document apply to everyone associated with the Club and anyone who fails to conform may be denied access to the Club environs.

BREACHES OF CONDUCT

The Club encourages the reporting of all suspicions of abuse and commits to investigate these breaches of expected behaviour and take the necessary action for its elimination.

Where any non-compliance with the policy or suspected incidents of abuse arise then these should be reported to one of the Club Coaches or their Assistants or directly to the Young Players’ Development Co-ordinator.

If the incident in any way relates to or implicates the Young Players’ Co-ordinator then the matter should be reported to the Chairman of the Management Committee.

Minor matters of non-compliance e.g.   name calling of a non-discriminatory nature, use of inappropriate language, isolated incidents of bullying, will normally be dealt with discreetly by the member of the coaching staff to whom the incident was reported, in discussion with the perpetrator. No further action will be forthcoming provided the necessary change in behaviour is forthcoming.

As matters become progressively more serious e.g. repeated misbehaviour following calls for improvement, fighting or other physical violence, unacceptable discriminatory abuse, smoking or taking alcohol or other drugs, the matter will be referred to the Young Players’ Development Co-ordinator for appropriate action.

The Co-ordinator will arrange for one of the Coaching staff to investigate the matter and provide a short report on their findings for consideration. Where the Co-ordinator believes that the matter may call for more formal disciplinary measures to be taken, then the alleged perpetrator or perpetrators will be called to a meeting and given an opportunity to offer an explanation of events on their own behalf.

Following consideration of the facts, the Co-ordinator will take one of the following actions:

It is important here to appreciate that the Co-ordinator does not have to have undisputable proof before taking action. Action will be taken where the balance of evidence provides reasonable belief that a breach of a particular nature did in fact take place.

It is appreciated, particularly with younger children, that a high degree of care has to be taken to ensure that the investigations in themselves do not cause any undue stress to the youngsters involved and all efforts will be made to avoid such possibilities. Parents and Guardians wishing to determine the reasons for any disciplinary action taken against their child will beprovided with a full explanation of the reasons for any such action being taken.

In exceptionally serious cases e.g. drug abuse, drug dealing, sexual abuse, the Club does not consider itself competent to deal with the matter and will refer the issue to external agencies for guidance on the appropriate action. Referrals to such agencies, which will include the Social Work / Police Child Protection Unit, will also be made where suspicions or allegations of child abuse from sources outside the Club arise.

Referrals to external agencies will only be made following notification to and consultation with the Chairman of the Management Committee.

APPEAL AGAINST DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Appeals will only be accepted in respect of the Co-ordinator’s decision to exclude an individual from the club and its environs. Appeals must be made in writing to the Chairman of the Management Committee who will arrange a meeting to consider the matter along with two other members of the Management Committee. The Young Players’ Development Co-ordinator will be in attendance to present the case for the earlier exclusion decision but will not form part of the panel of three considering the appeal.

The Appellant will have a right to be accompanied at the hearing with a parent, guardian or other representative of their choice.

The Appellant or their representative will be invited to present their case stating the justification for their appeal, their version of the events which led to the exclusion from the club and any mitigating circumstances which may have led to the believed breach of conduct.

The Panel Members will ask the Appellant whatever questions are considered necessary to enhance their understanding of the situation. The Appellant will be expected to answer the questions directed to them without prompting by the Representative. The Co-ordinator may also direct questions to the Appellant in respect of the case presented.

The Co-ordinator will then be invited to present the version of events uncovered by the earlier investigations. The Committee will ask the Co-ordinator whatever questions are considered necessary to enhance their understanding of the situation. The Appellant and/or their Representative will then direct any questions they may have to the Co-ordinator in respect of the case presented.

The panel of three Management Committee members will then call a recess to allow them to consider the matter in private.  Once a decision has been reached the other parties will be recalled to be advised of the outcome. The Panel will advise one of the following decisions: -

The Panel’s decision on the matter is final and there is no obligation to offer any explanation for its decision. The Club are, however, prepared to consider further appeals against any exclusion order but only after a period of one full calendar year, from the date of the Panel decision, has elapsed.

APPEAL AGAINST DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Appeals will only be accepted in respect of the Co-ordinator’s decision to exclude an individual from the club and its environs. Appeals must be made in writing to the Chairman of the Management Committee who will arrange a meeting to consider the matter along with two other members of the Management Committee. The Young Players’ Development Co-ordinator will be in attendance to present the case for the earlier exclusion decision but will not form part of the panel of three considering the appeal.

The Appellant will have a right to be accompanied at the hearing with a parent, guardian or other representative of their choice.

The Appellant or their representative will be invited to present their case stating the justification for their appeal, their version of the events which led to the exclusion from the club and any mitigating circumstances which may have led to the believed breach of conduct.

The Panel Members will ask the Appellant whatever questions are considered necessary to enhance their understanding of the situation. The Appellant will be expected to answer the questions directed to them without prompting by the Representative. The Co-ordinator may also direct questions to the Appellant in respect of the case presented.

The Co-ordinator will then be invited to present the version of events uncovered by the earlier investigations. The Committee will ask the Co-ordinator whatever questions are considered necessary to enhance their understanding of the situation. The Appellant and/or their Representative will then direct any questions they may have to the Co-ordinator in respect of the case presented.

The panel of three Management Committe members will then call a recess to allow them to consider the matter in private. Once a decision has been reached the other parties will be recalled to be advised of the outcome. The panel will advise one of the following decisions:

The Panel’s decision on the matter is final and there is no obligation to offer any explanation for its decision. The Club are, however, prepared to consider further appeals against any exclusion order but only after a period of one full calendar year, from the date of the Panel decision, has elapsed.