Safeguarding

The St Albans Chess Club and Congress Committee, which comprise members of all ages, fully endorse and promote the Safeguarding Policy of English Chess Federation (ECF),  the national governing body for chess.

View ECF Safeguarding Statement at: https://www.englishchess.org.uk/safeguarding-and-the-ecf/ 

The ECF Safeguarding Policy (in full) can be downloaded at: https://www.englishchess.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Safeguarding-Children-Policy.pdf

Appendix 2
English Chess Federation Child Protection Code of Conduct for Staff and Volunteers

The ECF recognises that its staff (officials, coaches, arbiters) and volunteers, and those of its constituent member organisations, involved in chess for children and young people have a great opportunity to be a positive role model and help build an individual’s confidence.

Staff and volunteers are expected to:

• Ensure the safety of all children by providing effective supervision and proper planning of organised chess activities.

• Consider the well being and safety of participants before engaging in activities such as coaching or organising playing of chess.

• Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.

• Treat all young people fairly and ensure they feel valued and respected. Have no favourites.

• Encourage all children not to discriminate on the grounds of religious beliefs, race, gender, social classes or lack of ability.

• Not allow any bullying, or the use of bad language or inappropriate behaviour.

• Appreciate the efforts of all young people and encourage sensible participation in chess activities.

• Never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward.

• Be positive, approachable and offer praise to promote the objectives of the club/organisation at all times.

• Not let any allegations of abuse of any kind or poor practice to go unchallenged or unrecorded. Incidents and accidents to be recorded in the line with the procedures of the ECF. Parents will be informed.

• Never use sanctions that humiliate or harm young people.

• Report accidents or incidents of alleged abuse or poor practice to the designated Safeguarding Officer/ person.

• Administer minor first aid (if appropriate) in the presence of others and where required refer more serious incidents to the designated "first aider" or send for/to medical assistance. Avoid administering First Aid involving the removing of children’s clothing unless in the presence of others

• Have access to telephone for immediate contact to emergency services if required.

• Ensure the rights and responsibilities of children or young people are enforced.

• Establish and address the additional needs of disabled participants or other vulnerable groups.

• Not abuse children or young people physically, emotionally or sexually.

• Not engage in a sexual relationship with a child or young person for whom they are responsible

• Maintain confidentiality about sensitive information.

• Respect and listen to the opinions of young people.

• Develop an appropriate working relationship with participants, based on mutual trust and respect.

• Be a role model, displaying consistently high standard of behaviour and appearance (disciplined/committed/time keeping), remember children learn by example.

• Refrain from smoking and consumption of alcohol during direct coaching.

• Avoid taking photos without permission, especially of individuals

• Not accept or give individual gifts to Children and young people without permission from parents/guardians

• Not add minors to their social media accounts or have telephone numbers unless parents have given permission.

• Not spending excessive amounts of time alone with children unless there are exceptional circumstances.

• Never taking children to their home, hotel bedroom or similar (e.g. for coaching) without the additional presence of a person who is, or is authorised by their parent/guardian, or without explicit parental/guardian consent.

• Plan activities which involve more than one other person being present or at least are within sight or hearing of others where possible. This applies to such activities as one-to-one training and travelling to or from chess events.

• Not have any inappropriate verbal or physical contact (Including suggestive gestures) with/in front of children or young people

• For activities such as coaching chess: Hold appropriate valid qualifications/accreditation and/or have appropriate experience in playing chess or engaging in chess activities with children and young people.

Emergency action and first aid

Chess Organisers, coaches and leaders should be prepared with an action plan in the event of an emergency.

This will include as a minimum:

☐ Access to First Aid equipment and a first aid book and/or other similar resource

☐ Plan for actions if no qualified first aider is available

☐ Emergency evacuation plan

☐ Telephone contact if the participant is a minor for consent and information purposes (although prior consent for minor first aid may also be gained in addition to this)

☐ Telephone contact to the Emergency Services.