English Chess Federation (ECF)
Child Protection Policy
(March 2008)

The Board of ECF has now adopted a Child Protection Policy, presented below. Actions to implement it have now commenced.

POLICY

Whilst the primary function of the ECF is to promote chess, it recognises its responsibility for the welfare of children and vulnerable adults attending events it organises.
It is the policy of the ECF to safeguard the welfare of all people attending its events by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm.

OFFICIALS

There are a number of posts such as Director of Junior Chess and Education, Accredited Coaches which may involve a considerable degree of contact with children or vulnerable adults. In general the type of work will involve regularly caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of such people. It is the policy of the ECF that it will only recommend as accredited coaches those people for whom both a satisfactory CRB Enhanced Disclosure clearance and also an independent suitable reference have been obtained. Persons elected to the following posts will also be required to undergo a CRB enhanced clearance and provide a suitable reference.

Director of Junior Chess and Education: Director of Coaching:
Director of Women’s Chess: Director of Home Chess: International Director
Director of Congress Chess: ECF Coaches: Arbiters who perform their duties at junior congresses: persons travelling with ECF teams abroad.

AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS

The ECF strongly recommends that Affiliated Organisations have a suitable Child Protection Policy.

GUIDELINES

These guidelines apply to any person acting in an official capacity on behalf of the ECF at a ECF organised event. In particular this includes officers, controllers and arbiters.

A What happens if……?

a) If you suspect a child is being abused:-

1) immediately inform the ECF official in charge of the event
2) record the facts as you know them and give a copy to the ECF official
3) ensure that the child has access to an independent adult
4) ensure that no situation arises which could cause further concern
5) ensure access to confidential information is restricted to appropriate officials on a ‘need to know’ basis.

b) If a child tells you about abuse by someone else

1) allow the child to speak without interruption, accepting what is said.
2) alleviate feelings of guilt and isolation, while passing no judgement
3) advise that you will try to offer support, but that you must pass the information on
4) same steps as 1 – 5 above

c) If you receive any allegation of abuse about any adult or about yourself

1) Immediately inform the ECF official in charge of the event
2) record the facts as you know them and give a copy to the ECF official
3) try to ensure that no-one is placed in a position which could cause further compromise

The ECF official will take action which may include contacting the social services or the police
The ECF official will also submit a report to the ECF President and Chief Executive Officer.

Code of Conduct

Do put the guidelines into practice
Do treat everyone with respect
Do provide an example you wish others to follow
Do plan activities which involve more than one other person being present or at least are within sight or hearing of others. This applies to such activities as one-to-one training and travelling to or from chess events.
Do respect a young person’s right to privacy
Do have separate sleeping accommodation for adults and young people.
Do provide access for young people to talk to identifiable responsible adults about any concerns they may have. Deal with any concerns in a sympathetic and appropriate manner.
Do encourage young people and adults to feel comfortable and caring enough to point out attitudes or behaviour they do not like
Do avoid situations that compromise your relationship with young people and are unacceptable within a relationship of trust.
Do remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well-intentioned
Do recognise that caution is required even in sensitive moments of counselling
Do recognise that children with differing abilities have differing requirements.
Do recognise that children from different backgrounds may have differing values.

Do NOT permit abusive peer activities (e.g. bullying, ridiculing)
Do NOT play physical contact games with young people
Do NOT have any inappropriate physical or verbal contact with others
Do NOT allow yourself to be drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviour such as tantrums
Do NOT show favouritism to any individual
Do NOT make suggestive remarks or gestures even in fun
Do NOT let suspicion, disclosure or allegation of abuse go unrecorded or unreported
Do NOT rely on just your good name to protect you
Do NOT believe ‘it could never happen to me’

Notes on Unacceptable Behaviour by Children

• Participants should be encouraged to develop a sense of right and wrong behaviour.
• Where unacceptable behaviour does take place, appropriate sanctions, decided by a consensus of responsible people present, should be applied to modify the behaviour
• Sanctions applied to each case should take account of the age and stage of development of the young person, be given at the right time, be relevant to the action and be fair
• The participant must always be told why the behaviour is unacceptable and the reasons for applying a particular sanction
• Corporal punishment (smacking, slapping or shaking) is illegal and therefore should never be used. It is permissible to take necessary physical action in an emergency to prevent personal injury, either to the young person, other participants or adults, or serious damage to property
• Participants should not be shouted at directly, though raising of the voice is permissible in instances where it is necessary to be heard