Introduction Thai boxing can provide a positive influence for children and young people (minors). Not only can it provide enjoyment and opportunities for achievement, it can be a valuable way to develop a variety of important life skills. These opportunities can only be safeguarded if kept in the hands of people who place the welfare of young people first and adopt practices that support, protect and empower them. All organisations involved in activities for children have a moral and legal obligation to fulfil a duty of care for the children for whom they provide services. Thai boxing clubs providing activities for minors are most probably taking all precautions and making every effort to ensure their safety and enjoyment. Sometimes, however, there are people who work or seek to work, in organisations providing services for children who may pose a risk to minors and who may harm them. This policy will help the Thai Boxing Kids Academy to take all reasonable steps to prevent this from happening. The Thai Boxing Kids Academy recognises its responsibility, that of its club, and that of all adults who work directly or indirectly in the provision of Thai boxing for minors, to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and welfare of minors in their care. The Thai boxing Kids Academy will promote the safeguards of good practice, and the professionalism of coaches and volunteers, whether paid or unpaid, through the implementation of this Policy. Club instructors and Child Protection Officers are strongly recommended to read and fully verse themselves with the Thai Boxing Kids Academy Child Protection policy. This can be found in electronic format on the website at www.thaiboxingkidsacademy.com.

Policy Statement It is the aim of the Thai Boxing Kids Academy that all young people should enjoy Thai boxing in a safe enjoyable setting. The Thai Boxing Kids Academy is aware of the need to ensure that the club and individuals who provide young people with the opportunity to practice Thai Boxing, are aware of their responsibilities. Good practice will involve an ongoing process of consideration and review of all aspects of provision for children, so as to be well prepared to: Ensure the safety and enjoyment of all children and young people in the Thai boxing setting, as well as promote and preserve their opportunity within Thai boxing for healthy personal development. Ensure that children and young people attending Thai boxing who experience abuse of any kind, within or outside the Thai boxing setting, are responded to appropriately, that any concerns about the welfare of children attending Thai boxing are acted upon appropriately and not ignored, and that the full legal and moral responsibilities that accompany working with children are understood and fulfilled by adults working within the Thai boxing setting. Ensure that all adults working within the Thai boxing setting are not placed in situations where allegations against them could be made. The welfare of all young people is paramount.

Key Principles Young people are those under the age of 18 years and are a subject of this document. An adult has a moral and statutory duty for the care, custody and control of any child under the age of 18 years under their supervision. All young people, whatever their age, gender, culture, ability, language, religious beliefs, racial origin, and/or sexual identity should be able to enjoy Thai boxing, safe from abuse of any kind. It is the responsibility of child protection experts and agencies to determine whether or not abuse has taken place. It is everyone’s responsibility to report any concerns. All suspicions and allegations of abuse, incidents of poor practice or suspicions of poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. Individuals working with young people will be made aware of good practice in order to ensure that they are not placed in situations where allegations could be made. The Thai Boxing Kids Academy recognises the statutory responsibilities of Social Services departments and the Police to ensure the welfare of young people and is committed to complying with Local Area Child Protection committee procedures. Confidentiality should be upheld in line with the Data Protection Act 1984 and the Human Rights Act 2000.

Good Practice

1. All young people under the age of 18 should: Be coached and trained by an appropriately qualified and insured coach. Not be required to train to a degree or in any way that may become a threat to their well being. Not be subjected to verbal or racial abuse or bullying from any source.
2. Clubs and coaches should ensure that: Adults are aware of their responsibilities when working with young people. There is a Child Protection Policy with an implemented and monitored programme. A designated Child Protection Officer is appointed with representation on relevant committees. Procedures are in place to deal with complaints or concerns. Parents/carers are aware of what the club and coaches are doing and also of the correct procedures to express any concerns they may have. All adults who supervise young people under take a CRB disclosure.
3. All Coaches, helpers dealing directly or indirectly with young people should be encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behaviour, thereby protecting themselves from allegations. They should: Always work in an open environment where other adults are present (parents or other helpers) Treat all young people equally and with respect and dignity. Make Thai boxing fun, enjoyable and promote fair play, eg giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism. Keep up to date with technical and coaching skills, qualifications and insurance in Thai boxing Coaches should only work within the limitations of their knowledge and qualifications. Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate to the age, maturity and ability of the young people entrusted to their care. Ensure that any manual/physical support is provided openly. In Thai boxing, in order to teach effectively, it is sometime necessary to make physical contact with the young person. Parents and young people should be made aware of this when they join the class. Ensure that physical contact is unambiguously non-sexual. Secure parental consent to act in loco parentis, if the need arises to give permission for the administering of emergency first aid and/or other medical treatment. Request written parental consent if club officials are required to transport young people in their cars. If any of the following occur, they should immediately report them to another colleague and make a written note of the event: (parents should also be informed of the incident) A young person is accidentally hurt. A young person appears distressed in any manner. A young person appears to be sexually aroused by their actions. A young person misunderstands or misinterprets something they have done.
4. Coaching ratios It is recognised that coaching styles vary from coach to coach, however, it is recommended that when working with groups of children the minimum ratio should be 1 coach/adult assistant to 20 children. A coach should never work alone with groups of children. They should ensure that other adults are present even if only in the form of parents watching the class. Consideration should be given in case of an accident/incident. There should always be enough responsible adults remaining to supervise the group (without being left alone the group). At least two adults should remain present at the end of sessions until all children have been collected. They should ensure that each child is collected by the appropriate person (parents/guardian or person authorised by them). Late collection/Transport Clubs/coaches are recommended to develop guidelines for dealing with this and issue them to parents. It should include a contact number for parents to contact to inform the club of late collection. Parents should also be requested for an alternative contact name/number. Parents should be informed that it is not the club’s responsibility to transport young people in the event of being detained. All staff/volunteers in a club should be informed that they should: Attempt to contact the parent/guardian in the event of late collection Check the contact number for any information regarding the young person Contact the alternative contact name/number Wait with the young person at the dojo with wherever possible other volunteers/staff or parents Remind parents of the policy relating to late collection Staff/volunteers should not: Take the child home or to any other location Ask the child to wait in a vehicle or dojo with them alone Send the child home with another person without parental permission If Young People need to be transported to other venues parents’/guardians’ written permission must be obtained. No adult should transport young people on their own. Drivers must ensure that their insurance policy covers them for business travel.
5. Changing rooms If groups have to be supervised in changing rooms, always ensure parents/helpers/coaches/officials work in pairs and that gender is appropriate. Staff working with young people of different gender should not be presenting the changing room when they are changing or showering. Separate male and female facilities should be made available. Ideally young people should not have to change at the same time or in the same place as adults. No photographic equipment should be allowed in the changing room environment. This includes cameras, video cameras, mobile phones with photographic capabilities etc. Clubs with people with disabilities should involve them and their carers in deciding how they should be assisted and ensure that they are able to consent to the assistance that is offered. NB it may sometimes be necessary for staff or volunteers to do things of a personal nature for young people, particularly if they are young or are disabled. These tasks should be carried out with the full understanding and consent of parents and the young person involved. There is a need to be responsive to a person’s reactions. If a person is fully dependent on you, talk with him/her about what you are doing and give choices where possible. This is particularly so if you are involved in any dressing or undressing of outer clothing, or where there is physical contact, lifting or assisting a young person to carry out particular activities. Avoid taking on responsibility for tasks for which you are not appropriately trained. Treatment of young people Prior to medical treatment being carried out on a young person, written parental consent must be sought where appropriate. It is recommended that all treatment procedures are explained fully to the young person and verbal consent given before they are carried out. It is recommended that no young person should be treated in any way in a situation where the young person is on his/her own in a treatment room with the door closed. It is important to maintain medical confidentiality at all times. Photography and video There is evidence that some people have used sporting events as an opportunity to take inappropriate photographs or film footage of young and disabled sports people in vulnerable positions. Whilst this is rare in Thai boxing it is recommended that all clubs adhere to the appropriate guideines detailed in schedule A of the Child Protection Policy.
6. Relationships of trust – code of conduct
   1. A relationship of trust exists between coaches/helpers and students/young people in the Thai boxing setting. They are an unequal relationship between people of different status which could result in one party being seen to be vulnerable. The inequality makes it inappropriate to form an intimate or sexual relationship while continuing the relationship of trust.