Policy

1. Children and young people⁽¹⁾ competing at Kingston Amateur and Kingston Borough Regattas (KABR) can expect to participate in a safe and enjoyable environment.
2. KABR comply with the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA) policy on child protection, “Good Practice in Rowing.”⁽²⁾ Competing clubs and schools are required, by ARA rules, to be affiliated to the ARA and are also required to comply with this policy.
3. Club or school coaches, teachers or junior co-ordinators are responsible for the safety and welfare of their junior competitors at all times and they, or a designated substitute are expected to be available at the regatta while their crews are present.
4. Kingston Amateur Regatta officials, sponsors, volunteers, staff employed by service providers, e.g. catering, and the press and publicity agencies, do not generally have direct contact with, nor authority over, children.  However, each will be informed of their responsibility for vigilance and to report inappropriate behaviour
5. Anyone observing apparent child abuse or inappropriate behaviour should report it to Race Control who will immediately inform the Regatta Welfare Officer who will respond to the matter according to “Good Practice in Rowing”. This policy is incorporated in the regatta regulations and will be publicised at the regattas.
6. The Regatta committee carries out a thorough risk assessment each year and the ARA vets its procedures and regulations. This ensures as far as realistically possible that the safety of juniors is assured.
7. Once on the water, all rowers are subject to the regatta’s water safety rules and to the ARA Rules of Racing which are implemented by ARA qualified umpires.

Welfare Officer

The role of the Kingston Amateur Regatta Welfare Officer is:

• To be fully conversant with the ARA Good Practice in Rowing policy.
• To ensure that paragraph [5] above is included in the regulations and instructions to crews, the event programme and displayed prominently at the Regatta.
• To advise the Regatta organising Committee on child protection issues during the organisation and hosting of the event.
• To ensure that mechanisms are in place to ensure all Regatta officials, volunteers, service providers and others are advised of the Child Protection policy.
• To attend the Regattas and to deal with any incidents according to the above policy.
• To liaise with the ARA Child Protection Officer and other agencies, as required.

Background

Chapter Four of ARA Good Practice in Rowing states:

“It is not the responsibility of anyone working under the auspices of the ARA or in a member club, whether in a paid or a voluntary capacity, to decide whether or not child abuse is taking place. However, there is a responsibility to inform appropriate agencies of possible abuse so that they can then make inquiries and take any necessary action to protect the child.”

The key points to follow when responding to suspicions or allegations of abuse, as set out in Good Practice in Rowing are:

Respond swiftly
React calmly
Reassure
Receive evidence
Record
Report

(1) Anyone under the age of 18 is considered to be a child/young person
(2) Good Practice in Rowing Participant welfare, good practice and child protection policy and procedures. Amateur Rowing Association 2006.
(3) Chapter 4, Responding to suspicions and allegations in ARA Good Practice in Rowing