SUSPECTED ABUSE

1.                  Any suspicion that a child has been or is being abused by a WASC volunteer or a parent should be reported to the Welfare Officer, who will take such steps as considered necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and any other child who may be at risk.  In the absence of the Welfare Officer reports should be directed to the Chairman, Chief Coach, Secretary or Treasurer.

2.                  The Welfare Officer will always inform the Chairman, Chief Coach, Secretary or Treasurer unless they are the subject of the suspicion/allegation.

3.                  If the Welfare Officer is the subject of the suspicion/allegation the report should be made to the Chairman, Chief Coach, Secretary or Treasurer.

4.                  The Welfare Officer, under the guidance of club officials, will refer the allegation to the Social Services Department who may involve the Police or go directly to the Police if out of hours.  Information passed to the Social Services or Police must be as helpful as possible, hence the necessity for making a detailed record at the time of the disclosure/concern within 24 hours.  To aid the reporting process WASC has devised an Incident Record Form No.1 – See Appendix A.

5.                  The parents or carers of the child will be informed as soon as possible following advice from Social Services or the Police.

6.                  The Welfare Officer must inform the ASA Legal Department in writing to advise them of the concern and who it has been reported to –

ASA    Legal Affairs Department

Harold Fern House

Derby Square

Loughborough

LE11 5AL