Introduction
Colchester Rovers are committed to ensuring that everyone participating in cycling does so in a safe and enjoyable environment.
At Colchester Rovers, everyone working with children and young people has a responsibility for keeping them safe, irrespective of their role, whether or not they are British Cycling members, involved in a professional or voluntary capacity or as a parent, spectator or participant.
Mandatory Safeguarding Requirements
Colchester Rovers safeguard children and young people because:
- We have adopted and implemented the British Cycling Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy; it is understood by all and procedures are put into practice.
- We have a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) who has been trained to be the designated contact for Safeguarding issues.
- All adults involved with coaching and supporting coaching sessions (including the Club Welfare Officer) hold a current Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) through British Cycling.
- When we recruit new volunteers to the club, we take up two references to support the recruitment process.
- We follow the British Cycling reporting procedures; we refer all concerns and allegations to the British Cycling Safeguarding Team.
Good practice guidelines
Before coaching sessions:
- Parental Consent Forms must be completed for all children and young people.
- Coaches will complete a risk assessment of the coaching space and consult with guidance from British Cycling about specific coaching ratios
During coaching sessions:
- Coaches and other volunteers working with children and young people recognise they are in a position of trust and act as appropriate role models
- Supervision of children and young people is only provided when they are attending and engaging in a session
- Parents are encouraged to remain to watch coaching sessions; it is the parents’ responsibility to nominate an adult who is watching if they are unable to do so
- Any physical conduct with children by coaches or volunteers will be to meet the needs of the child and the sport, not the adult. For example, to develop technique, to protect the child from injury, to provide first aid and will be done in an open space
After coaching sessions:
- Progress will be celebrated (and only if consent has been provided), by sharing photos of children through the closed Rovers Youth Facebook group.
- Photographs of children will be deleted once they have been shared, unless it has been agreed that it can be used for publicity or training purposes.
Moving through the talent pathway
Moving through the talent pathway offers fantastic experiences and rewards for young cyclists, however there are specific factors in elite sport that can make talented athletes more vulnerable to harmful behaviours, either from themselves, their coaches or parents, or members of their wider support team.
As a coaching team we will monitor the progress and attitude of all riders and their support network and challenge any concerns we may have.
1st August 2024