Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Policy

Everyone who participates in Karate is entitled to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment. The Welsh Karate Union has a moral and legal obligation to ensure that any vulnerable people, whether children, young people or vulnerable adults, are protected and kept safe from harm while they are with Instructors and volunteers who represent the Association.

In order to achieve this, the W.K.U will ensure that all our Instructors and volunteers are carefully selected, screened, trained and supervised. Thus ensuring that, when given responsibility for children, coaches and volunteers provide them with the highest possible standard of care.

The Welsh Karate Union is committed to devising and implementing policies so that everyone in sport accepts their responsibilities to safeguard children from harm and abuse. This means to follow procedures to protect children and report any concerns about their welfare to appropriate authorities.

The aim of the policy is to promote good practice, providing children and young people with appropriate safety/protection whilst in the care of the Welsh Karate Union and to allow staff and volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues. A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (Children’s Act 1989)

Policy Statement

The Welsh Karate Union is committed to the following:

• The welfare of the child is paramount.

• All children, whatever their age, culture, ability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity should be able to participate in Karate in a fun and safe environment.

• Taking all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination and degrading treatment and to respect their rights, wishes and feelings.

• All suspicions and allegations of poor practice or abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

• All Welsh Karate Union members who work with children will be recruited with regard to their suitability for that responsibility, and will be provided with guidance and/or training in good practice and child protection procedures.

• Working in partnership with parents and children is essential for the protection of children.

The Child Protection Policy will be reviewed every 3 years or whenever there is

major change in the organisation or legislative changes from relevant governing bodies.