Wolverhampton Chess Club Safe Guarding Policy

 

Wolverhampton Chess Club (hereinafter the 'Club') has adopted a safe guarding policy as below.

 

This will apply to all members of, and visitors to, the Club when undertaking Club activities. A child (otherwise a junior player) in this context is deemed to be anyone less than eighteen years of age.

 

The Club welcomes to its evening sessions and events, junior players who already play chess to a reasonable standard. It also allows juniors of an appropriate level to participate in inter-club matches and league matches.

 

There is no formal teaching of chess within the club, but all members are expected to encourage junior members and assist where possible in their chess development. The purpose of this policy is to safeguard the welfare of children attending the Club by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm.

 

A copy of the policy will be posted on the Wolverhampton Chess Club website at www.wolverhamptonchess.club and all adult members of the Club will sign an agreement to abide by and promote this policy. The Club has a Safe Gaurding Officer, who if required will have DBS* clearance.

 

The current holder of the post is Dr Rajeev Raghavan. Any child welfare concerns or allegations, and any comments or questions regarding the policy should be directed to him by email to jeeves.rp@gmail.com. Any allegations or concerns will be investigated, and if necessary pursued, by the Club's Child Protection Officer in accordance with the English Chess Federation's Child Protection Policy Guidelines, which is available for viewing on the Federation's website at www.englishchess.org.uk.

 

If a child is under the age of 16 years, a parent or guardian is required either to escort each child into the Club at the start of each session or event, remain on the Club premises and escort the child home at the end. Children between the ages of 16 and 18 years need written permission from parents) or legal guardian for the child to arrive/remain at the club alone. It is best that any such arrangements are communicated to the safeguarding officer in advance.

 

Wolverhampton Chess Club recognises that the welfare and interests of children and young people and vulnerable adults are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or identity, or socioeconomic background:

 

have a positive and enjoyable experience of chess in a safe and sociable environment;

 

• promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults;
• value, listen to and respect children, young people and vulnerable adults;
• The Club also, where appropriate, welcomes the participation of children in inter-club matches away from the club venue. All parents or guardians will be required to accompany their child to and from away matches and to remain at the away team's Club premises throughout the duration of the match.

 

Captains of visiting teams are wholly responsible for the care of any juniors included in their teams when visiting the club.

 

This policy will be reviewed and updated from time to time in line with experience and recommended practice in the area of child protection.

 

The Club shall abide by any rules and regulations set out by the English Chess Federation and/or the Local League Committees (eg WDCL, BDCL) and any rules and regulations that the club committee and chair deem necessary for the appropriate application of and adherence to this policy.

 

*Side Note: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) have merged to become the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). CRB checks are now called DBS checks