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Given the serious information that continues to come light regarding allegations of abuse in other sports we would ask anyone who has concerns, historical or current, about abuse in Rowing to report those concerns in confidence either to the Scottish Rowing Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer at childprotection@scottish-rowing.org.uk or on 07852947907 or alternatively to contact the NSPCC’s general Helpline for adults 0808 800 5000 and Childline for children and young people 0800 1111

Scottish Rowing has a responsibility to all children and young people taking part in the sport of rowing in Scotland and is fully committed to promoting children’s wellbeing by keeping them safe, promoting their development and respecting their views.

For the purpose of this policy, a child is recognised as anyone under the age of 18.

This policy sets out the role Scottish Rowing will take in lead on Child Wellbeing & Protection within the sport across Scotland. This policy covers all Scottish Rowing activity and the Working with Children Procedures (and linked policies/ procedures referred to) will apply to all staff, volunteers and board members of Scottish Rowing and also all members of Scottish Rowing affiliated clubs (including rowers, coaches, volunteers, committee members, employees and any equivalent members of sub affiliated groups) and any other individuals involved with working with children at any Scottish Rowing organised activity.

The key principles for underpinning this policy are;

• The wellbeing of children is the primary concern.
• It is everyone’s responsibility to promote and safeguard the wellbeing of children.
• All children, whatever their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex and/or sexual orientation, have the right to protection from all forms of harm, poor practice and abuse.
• Children have the right to express views on all matters which affect them, should they wish to do so.
• Scottish Rowing and its affiliated clubs shall work in partnership together with children and parents to promote the wellbeing, health and development of children.

Scottish Rowing will:

1. Promote the rights and wellbeing of children by providing opportunities to take part in rowing safely
2. Appoint a Child Wellbeing & Protection Officer to lead on implementation of this policy and all its procedures
3. Provide and implement procedures, support and guidance to safeguard the wellbeing of all participants
4. Set governance requirements for Scottish Rowing affiliated clubs to ensure they have their own adequate policy and procedures for Child Wellbeing & Protection (using this policy and procedures as a basis) and provide support and guidance on the implementation and use of these
5. Promote the policy and procedures to all those it applies to, to ensure they know what to do and who to speak to
6. Safely recruit and select individuals who will be working with children
7. Train, support and supervise its members of staff, volunteers and members to adopt the good practice approach laid out by Scottish Rowing to promote child wellbeing and safeguard children against child protection concerns
8. Respond to all concerns about/ from children in line with the procedures as well as implementing, where appropriate, the relevant disciplinary and appeals procedure
9. Maintain confidential records of all complaints, concerns and sanctions applied in line with this policy
10. Regularly monitor and evaluate the implementation of this policy and the associated procedures

This policy and the procedures will be regularly monitored and reviewed, with a full review being carried out every 3 years. The policy and procedures will also be reviewed in the following circumstances:

• In accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection and safeguarding of children or following any relevant changes within Scottish Rowing
• Following any issue or concerns raised about child wellbeing or protection within Scottish Rowing
• On advice from Children 1st and sportscotland’s Safeguarding in Sport service

For any further advice or information please contact childprotection@scottish-rowing.org.uk