Summary (7 Jan 08)

• A young person or child is anyone under 18 years of age (CPP § 3.1), and the welfare of the young person is paramount (Children's Act 1989).
• Abuse has a wide range; it need not only be physical, but may be emotional, psychological, sexual, or even by neglect.
• An open environment is essential: at all times avoid private or unobserved situations.
• Being an Aikido instructor puts you in a position of authority. The relationship between a instructor and their students is ''a Relationship of Trust'' (in the terms of the Children's Act 1989): trust is something that could be misused. It also means that a young person might tell you something that they would not otherwise share.
• If a young person tells you something which sounds to you like they are at risk, then
  • be calm and reassure them,
  • tell the young person they are not to blame,
  • keep any questions to the absolute minimum, and ask only open questions.
  However, you must tell the young person that you might have to tell other people what the young person has said (CPP §8.1.1.5).
• As a coach it is not up to you to decide whether or not abuse is taking place. But if you suspect something you should raise your concerns immediately through the correct channels; local Social Services, local police, NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000) or Childline (0800 1111). (CPP §7.6.1, §8.1.1.6)

• The coach should talk to the parents (or guardians) before a young person joins the club. The talk needs to cover the following:
  • The number, and qualifications of, supervising adults (CPP §5.4).
  • The contact details of the parents (or guardian) should be obtained (CPP §5.5).
  • Clear instructions about collection times should be given (CPP §5.5).
  • Written permission to act on behalf of the parent (in loco parentis) to treat the under-18 for any arising first-aid issues should be obtained (CPP §5.3.14).
  • Advice about photography -- there is no photography without permission from the guardians of all the under-18s involved (CPP Appendix B).
  • Some physical contact with the under-18 will be necessary for the instruction of Aikido (CPP §5.3.8).
  • The parents (or guardians) of a student under 16 remain responsible for their charge until the student has been handed over to a CRB-checked club representative.
  • For a student who is 16 or over, but still under 18, the club is responsible for implementing the Policy from when that student bows into the dojo, up to the end of the session.
  • A copy of the BAB Policy should be provided if requested.
• Changing rooms: all helpers should be in pairs to supervise changing. The changing rooms should be split between males and females.
  • Preferably, under-16s should not change or shower at the same time as adults.
  • It is recognised that this is not always possible; for instance the changing facilities in a public sports centre are shared by many other groups.

• There should be one coach for every 8-12 young people. Coaches should never work alone. They need to be assisted by at least one other adult, preferably two or three. The point is that, if there is an incident, no adult is ever left on their own with any young people.
• Ideally there should be a mix of male and female supervising adults.
• A written record of injuries should be kept. There is a BAB incident report form which needs to be filled in and returned for any incident.

• For a student who is 16 or over, but still under 18, the club is responsible for implementing the Policy from when that student bows into the dojo, up to the end of the session.
• If parents do not turn up to collect a student who is under 16, then that student should not be left alone with any one adult on their own.
• Do not send an under-16 home with someone who is not the parent (or guardian) without the parent's permission. Do not take the student home or to any other place, and do not ask them to wait with you on your own, whether in a car or in the dojo.
• Changing rooms: as for before the session, all helpers should be in pairs to supervise changing. The changing rooms should be split between males and females.
  • Preferably, under-16s should not change or shower at the same time as adults.

• Courses are not the same as regular sessions. This brings up three distinct issues.
  • There may be more than one instructor.
  • One of the instructors may be a guest instructor.
  • The course may be residential.
• It is impracticable for course instructors to gain consent to act in loco parentis for each under-18 who may attend.

Multiple Instructors

• In this case, the Policy means that each instructor needs to be CRB-cleared (for aikido), and needs to hold the session with at least one other CRB-cleared (for aikido) adult present at all times.

Guest Instructors

• There are three sorts of guest instructor.
  • Instructors who are from the BAF.
    • These instructors need to be CRB-cleared (for aikido), and hold the session with at least one other CRB-cleared (for aikido) adult present at all times.
  • Instructors who are not from the BAF, but are from an organisation within the BAB.
    • These instructors need to be CRB-cleared (for aikido), and hold the session with at least one other CRB-cleared (for aikido) adult present at all times.
  • Instructors who are not from an organisation within the BAB.
    • These instructors do not need to be CRB-cleared.
    • However, there must be at least two adults present throughout the session who are CRB-cleared (for aikido).

Residential Courses

• For a residential course under-18s must be accompanied to the course by a designated adult who is acting as their legal guardian.
• The policy for the situation on the mat is covered above.
• The designated guardian is responsible for the under-18 at all times when the under-18 is not on the mat.