Leadonites Basketball Anti-bullying policy
Leadonites Basketball adopts England Basketball’s Anti-bullying Policy and is committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which all involved in basketball are free from bullying. This policy will be reviewed regularly and all club members are invited to offer feedback on its development.
Principles –
· Everybody has the responsibility to work together to stop bullying – the child, the parent/guardian, the club, the coach, the welfare officer, the adult volunteer and members of the local community.
· Respect everyone’s need for, and rights to, participation in an environment where safety, security, praise, recognition and opportunity for taking responsibility are available.
· Recognise that everyone is important and show appreciation of others by acknowledging individual qualities, contributions and progress.
OBJECTIVES OF THIS POLICY -
• All club members, coaches, officials and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is
• All club members, officials and coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported
• All players and parents should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises
• As a club we take bullying seriously. Players and parents should be assured that they would be supported when bullying is reported
• Bullying will not be tolerated.
Bullying -
· Bullying will not be accepted or condoned. All forms of bullying will be addressed.
· Bullying can include:
- Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, slapping, pinching etc.
- Name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing and emotional torment through ridicule, humiliation and the continual ignoring of individuals
- Racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
- Sexual comments and/or suggestions
- Unwanted physical contact.
· Bullying of a physical, sexual or racial nature may need referring to the statutory services. Advice will be taken from England Basketball or an expert agency.
· Some children may be more vulnerable to bullying due to personal characteristics such as a disability or their sexuality.
· It should be noted that bullying does not only occur through face to face contact but also through other forms of communication e.g. via the internet, e-mail and text messaging.
· Where a child’s bullying behaviour does not improve or is of a particularly violent or aggressive nature and Leadonites Basketball is unable to address the issue through behaviour management strategies or disciplinary measures within a reasonable time, the club may instigate child protection procedures.
Support to the Child -
· The contact details for the Club Welfare Officer and helplines will be provided to children.
· Children should be told what is being recorded, in what context and why.
· Anyone who reports an incident of bullying will be listened to carefully and be supported, whether the child being bullied or the child who is bullying.
· Any reported incident of bullying will be investigated objectively and will involve listening carefully to all those involved.
· Children being bullied will be supported and assistance given to uphold their right to play and live in a safe environment which allows their healthy development.
· Those who bully will be supported and encouraged to stop bullying.
· Sanctions involving long periods of isolation, or which diminish and make individuals look or feel foolish in front of others, should be avoided.
Support to the parents/guardians -
· Any incident of bullying will be discussed with the child’s parent(s)/guardians.
· Parental/guardian advice on action will be sought and agreements made as to what action should be taken.
· Information and advice on coping with bullying will be given.
· Support should be offered to the parents/guardians, including information on other agencies or support lines.
Reporting Procedure -
· The first point of contact is the team Head Coach.
· If the individual does not feel it appropriate to deal with the team Head Coach then the next point of contact is the Club Head Coach.
· If the individual does not feel it appropriate to deal with either the team Head Coach or the club Head Coach then the next point of contact is the Club Chairperson.
· If the individual does not feel it appropriate to deal with either of the team Head Coach or the club Head Coach or Club Chairperson then the next point of contact is the Club Welfare Officer.
SIGNS AND INDICATORS
A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child:
• says he or she is being bullied
• is unwilling to go to club sessions
• becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking
in confidence
• feels ill before training sessions
• comes home with clothes torn or training
equipment damaged
• has possessions go “missing”
• asks for money or starts stealing money
(to pay the bully)
• has unexplained cuts or bruises
• is frightened to say what’s wrong
• gives improbable excuses for any of the above.
IN MORE EXTREME CASES
• starts stammering
• cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
• becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
• is bullying other children or siblings
• stops eating
• attempts or threatens suicide or runs away.
These signs and behaviours may indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.
CLUB PROCEDURES
1. Report bullying incidents - see "Reporting Procedure" on previous page.
2. In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be referred to the Basketball England Welfare Officer for advice.
3. The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly
4. An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour.
If the matter cannot be dealt with quickly and satisfactorily then the following action should be taken...
5. Parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem.
6. If this fails, or is not appropriate, then a small panel (made up from Chairman, Club Welfare Officer, Secretary, committee members) should meet with the parent and child alleging bullying to get details of the allegation. Minutes should be taken for clarity, which should be agreed by all as a true account.
7. The same three persons should meet with the alleged bully and parent(s) and put the incident raised to them to answer and give their view of the allegation. Minutes should again be taken and agreed.
8. If bullying has in their view taken place the individual should be warned and put on notice of further action i.e. temporary or permanent suspension if the bullying continues. Consideration should be given as to whether a reconciliation meeting between parties is appropriate at this time. Reconciliation by getting the parties together. It may be that a genuine apology solves the problem.
9. If necessary and appropriate, i.e. in more serious situations, then cases may be referred to the Police and/or Children’s Services.
10. In some cases the parent of the bully or bullied player can be asked to attend training sessions,
if they are able to do so, and if appropriate. The club committee should monitor the situation for
a given period to ensure the bullying is not being repeated.
11. All coaches involved with both individuals should be made aware of the concerns and outcome of
the process i.e. the warning.
In the case of adults reported to be bullying anyone within the club who is under 18
1. The club's "Reporting Procedure" should be the first action taken and advise on action to be taken where appropriate will be issued. This may include reporting the issue to either Basketball England's Welfare Officer or, in the most serious of cases, to the Police and/or Children’s Social Care.
PREVENTION
1. The club has both a written constitution and various Codes of Conduct, which include what is acceptable and proper behaviour for all members of which the anti-bullying policy is one part.
2. All club members and parents will sign the club membership form and in doing so are accepting the relevant Code of Conduct and the Club Constitution upon joining the club.
3. The Club Welfare Officer will raise awareness about bullying and why it matters, and if issues of bullying arise in the club, will consider meeting with members to discuss the issue openly and constructively.
Useful External Contacts -
· NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000
· ChildLine www.childline.org.uk 0800 500
· Kidscape www.kidscape.org.uk
· Anti-Bullying Alliance www.antibullyingalliance.org