A MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL DIRECTOR

As A.I.M.A.A Scotland Director I am dedicated to providing a safe and unthreatening environment within all A.I.M.A.A Scotland school for all students under the age of 18 years old.

Our Child protection policy is very clear and concise. All Instructors must ensure that they know all rules set out, and be prepared to comply with all its rules and regulations. Failure by an A.I.M.A.A Scotland Instructor to comply with the child protection policy will result in disciplinary action, and may result in expulsion from A.I.M.A.A Scotland.

Each Individual dealing with children must ensure that they undertake training in child protection on a regular basis. Under no circumstances should anyone consider themselves beyond child protection regardless of their position within the organisation or their professional standing outside A.I.M.A.A Scotland.

I am proud to state that our organisation has implemented an outstanding child protection policy, and that each Individual Instructor, Assistant Instructor and Club Assistant has been checked by Disclosure Scotland. Our Schools within Scotland each have at least one, sometimes two child protection officers that are known to the parents and students of that school.

Our child protection officers are dedicated to ensuring our students safety within our schools and have the full backing of all Instructors within A.I.M.A.A Scotland.  All those who instruct or who help are willing to accept the prestige that goes with ensuring that full commitment is given to the well-being of all our students.

Yours Sincerely

Master John Kirkwood

A.I.M.A.A Scotland Director  

The Action International Martial Arts Association Scotland (A.I.M.A.A Scotland) takes its commitment of ensuring the safety of students attending our classes and events, very seriously. The child protection policy covers all students up to the age of 18 years.

All children have the right to protection from all forms of abuse.

It is A.I.M.A.A Scotland mandate that all Instructors, Assistants, Club Assistants and anyone who comes in contact with children are fully aware of the content of this policy and they know of their responsibility to adhere to it.

It is also the mandate of A.I.M.A.A Scotland that we ensure that each Instructor, Assistant Instructor and anyone that works with the children within our schools, undertake yearly courses on child protection, that is sanctioned by Sports Scotland and local councils.

The implementation of this Policy is first and foremost for the protection of our students, but also for the protection of our Instructors, Assistant Instructors, Club Assistants and A.I.M.A.A Scotland as an organisation.

This policy provides definitions, policy statements, and guidance on a variety of topics. If anyone has a question in relation to the contents of the policy they should immediately contact the following child protection officers (C.P.O) within the following schools below.

APPOINTED RESOURCE PERSONNEL

A.I.M.A.A Scotland's has appointed the National Secretary of Scotland to:

• Report Directly to the A.I.M.A.A Scotland Director and Head Instructors on all aspects of child protection.
• Formulate and distribute child protection literature to all Instructors.
• Provide assistance to Instructors on how to implement the policy on child protection matters.
• Ensure Instructors and Assistants are correctly implementing the policy.
• Maintain record on all aspects pertaining to child protection including signed policy acknowledgments.
• Keep all aspects of confidentiality as a priority.
• Collect and collate all up to date Disclosure Scotland (CRB) checks centrally.
• Update current policies and procedures for the CPO's.
• Resource child protection courses and certification for Instructors, Assistants and all those in contact with children within the organisation.

ROLE OF THE PROTECTION OFFICER WITHIN A.I.M.A.A SCHOOLS

• Report Directly to the A.I.M.A.A Scotland Director and Head Instructors in all aspects of child protection.
• Provide assistance and support to Instructors and how to implement the policy within the school.
• Keep all aspects of confidentiality as a priority.
• Undertake actions to escalate reported abuse on behalf of Instructors.

Definitions of abuse and what to look for

NEGLECT

• Where there is evidence that an adult has failed to to meet a child's physical needs for food, warmth, clothing, hygiene etc. This also covers the failure to provide a safe environment, such as leaving a child alone and unsupervised, or exposing them to undue risks or extreme temperatures.

PHYSICAL ABUSE

• Where parents, children or other adults deliberately cause injury, such as hitting, shaking, biting, burning, squeezing, or any other excessive force. It also includes giving children inappropriate drugs, alcohol, poison, or attempts to suffocate or drown.

• Physical abuse can also be said if the nature of the training is inappropriate to the child's immature and growing body, or by forcing the child to injury through fatigue or overuse. Training that is appropriate for adults may not be appropriate for a child.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE

• This includes persistent lack of attention or love, shouting, screaming, taunting, sarcasm, over-protection (leading to poor social skills).

• Within our organisation this also includes the failure to respond to a child's efforts or progress. It includes the use of taunts, shouts or sarcasm when teaching a child, that leads to that child losing self-confidence.

SEXUAL ABUSE

• Both boys and girls are at risk of being sexually abused.

• Sexual Abuse includes making children take part in full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, fondling, exposure to pornographic material or making children take part in producing pornographic videos or photography. It also includes suggestions that sexual favours (or refusal can hinder ) their progression in Tae Kwon Do.

OTHER ABUSE

• Abuse of trust - where young people are indoctrinated with attitudes to training, drugs, and cheating, social, political, or religious views that are unacceptable to the young person's family.

• All kinds of bullying, both verbal and physical, from other children and adults, are a form of abuse. A.I.M.A.A Scotland has a strict Anti-Bullying Policy in place that must be adhered to at all times.

IDENTIFYING ABUSE

It is not the responsibility of A.I.M.A.A Scotland members to decide that child abuse is occurring. It is our responsibility to follow through on any concerns. However, we do need to exercise care. It is possible to find these signs and symptoms in many completely healthy, un-abused children.

Possible signs are:

• Unexplained changes in a child's behaviour, attitude or commitment (becoming quite and withdrawn, or displaying sudden outbursts of temper).

• Gossip amongst other students, helpers etc.

• Bruises and injuries that cannot be easily explained (such as burns or belt marks).

• Self mutilation.

• Discomfort or pain.

• Reluctance to change or shower.

• Increasing problems with hygiene.

• Unexplained gain of weight or loss.

• Constant Hunger.

• Nervousness when approached or touched.

• Fear of particular people.

• Children who are always alone, unaccompanied or are prevented from socialising with other children.

• Inappropriate sexual awareness.

• Reluctance to go home.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT ABUSE

The following is a list of things that should be done if you suspect abuse, or if a child tells you of abuse.

• Take everything said seriously.

• Maintain confidentiality at all times.

• Listen and be reassuring, but make it clear that you cannot keep secrets and you will have to talk to another person who can help.

• Record what has been said to you accurately as possible, using the exact words spoken by the child. Write it down as soon as you can.

• Do not ask the child to repeat or elaborate. Keep questions to a minimum, but find out if they have told anyone else.

• NOTE: The Law is very strict and a child abuse case can be easily dismissed if it appears that the child has been lead by words, ideas or suggestions.

• Ensure that you are clear about all the facts of the allegations including name, age, address etc, of the child in question.

• Contact the C.P.O of the child's school, and communicate all information to them that is at your disposal.

• Once the C.P.O has been contacted, they assume responsibility for the situation, allowing the 'trusted' adult to return to a normal assistant/helper/Instructor relationship.

• On no account should the Instructor attempt to contact the parent (s), relatives or agencies. This is so that all communications come through one person.  The Instructor should strive to maintain a normal but watchful role, recording and reporting new developments to the C.P.O immediately.

• If requested by the police or social services details of the adult making the referral will be passed to them, so they can make direct contact with that person.

DISCIPLINE

Instructors have a need and a right to maintain discipline within their class. However, any disciplinary actions must not compromise their dignity, self-confidence, safety and self-esteem of the child.

REQUIREMENTS OF INSTRUCTORS

The items in this section are mandatory and must be carried out by all Instructors.

•  Instructors are responsible for ensuring that all their Assistant Instructors and class room assistants have read and understood this policy. And must also ensure that they put into practice the child protection needs and that all less than 16 years of age have received a child protection induction pack.  They are also responsible for ensuring that the signed acknowledgments are returned to the C.P.O.

• All Instructors must ensure that all Assistant Instructors, Class room assistants, volunteers, helpers have an up to date Disclosure Scotland ( CRB) (Must be updated every 2 years).

• All Instructors to have an adequate first aid kit and have a fully qualified First Aid person within their school at all times

• All Instructors must consider safety procedures and drills appropriate to their training venues. This must be communicated regularly to students, items to be considered are:

• Safety access and exit form venue

• Fire alarms, meeting point, exits.

• Hazards in Dojang, equipment, mats, bags, electrical etc.

GUIDANCE FOR INSTRUCTORS & ASSISTANTS

• Although the legal age of consent in the UK is 16 years old, AIMAA Scotland does not permit its Instructors to enter into a relationship with a student under the age of 18 years old. To do so is perceived as an act of abuse of the Instructor/Student trust.

• Always be publicly open when working with children.

• Always ask parents to stay and watch training within a safe distance ( health & safety).

• Try to avoid situations where you and an a individual child are together unobserved.

• It is unacceptable for an Instructor to to visit a junior student at their home or to encourage a student to visit the Instructors home.

• Ii is sometimes necessary for an Instructor to adjust a child's stance, adjust a hand position manually. However, you should be aware that some parents are becoming increasingly sensitive to this. You should first encourage the child to do this for themselves. If you do have to make the adjustment then you should provide commentary at the same time "okay I am going to move you hand to the correct position".

• Parents of children under the age of 6 years and within a " little Panthers Class" should be requested to stay for the duration of the child class, so they can attend to the child's hygiene needs. If for any reason you do need to accompany a child to a changing room or toilet, then it is good practice to check that it is clear from adults and then let the child enter, whilst you stay outside the toilet or changing room and wait for the child to finish.

• Children must always be treated with kindness and respect. Adults must always display high standards when dealing with children.

• Instructors and assistants must be aware of the dangers to children at the start and finish of a class. Parents and carers should be asked to drop off and pick up young children within the Dojang, to ensure their safety.

• It is not acceptable for a person in authority to transport a child to and from an event, unless they have written parental consent. However, it is advisable to ensure that parents take sole responsibility to ensure their child or children are transported to and from events.

• Instructors and assistants must ensure that the content of the class is appropriate to the age group of that class.

• Never engage in rough or sexual provocative games, make suggestive comments (even in fun) or do things of a personal nature that a child can do for themselves.

• You must take all accusations and allegations seriously.

•  If you believe that their is a misunderstanding or the potential for a misunderstanding, you should report it to the C.P.O. as soon as possible to avoid future problems.

GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS

• Parents need to understand that, although all reasonable practical measures will be taken into account to ensure the safety and protection of their children, the ultimate responsibility remains with them

• Parents should always, whenever possible, remain on hand during training to supervise changing room or toilet visits.

• However, if parents have any concerns, event outside the A.I.M.A.A Scotland environment, they are welcome to seek advice from the C.P.O within their child's A.I.M.A.A School. 

• The C.P.O for each school is listed above.