General Safeguarding and Protecting Young People Principles:

• The safety and welfare of young people is paramount
• All young people, regardless of age, ability, sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic origin, social status or sexual orientation have the right to be protected from harm
• The rights, dignity and worth of all young people should always be respected
• Milton Keynes Hockey Club wishes to promote a telling culture. Everyone within hockey must therefore report all concerns in accordance with England Hockey’s reporting procedures.
• It is the responsibility of child protection experts to determine whether or not abuse has taken place but it is everyone’s responsibility in hockey to report concerns
• The roles and responsibilities of the statutory agencies in safeguarding young people must be recognised and the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Boards must be complied with
• Any policy or procedure is only as effective as the ability and skill of those who operate it
• Milton Keynes Hockey Club is committed to encouraging, and everyone within hockey must recognise and regard as essential, the effective and safe recruitment of all individuals working with young people in hockey
• All those working in hockey, in a paid or voluntary capacity, must abide by England Hockey’s Code of Conduct.

Guidance and Legislation:

The practices and procedures within this policy and documentation are based on the principles contained within UK and International legislation and Government guidance and have been designed to complement Local Safeguarding Children Boards procedures and take the following into consideration

• The Children Acts 1989 and 2004
• The Protection of Children Act 1999
• The Police Act 1997
• The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
• Criminal Justices and Court Services Act 2000
• The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Human Rights Act 1998
• The Data Protection Act 1998
• “Caring for the young and vulnerable” Home Office guidance for preventing the abuse of trust 1999
• What to do if you are Worried a Child is being Abused DOH 2006
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006, HM Government
• The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006