SATUC’s Child Protection Policy

All children regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexuality or beliefs have the right to protection from abuse. The purpose of a child protection policy (CPP) is to ensure appropriate action and measures are taken when a young person up to the age of 18 years old is abused. This could be abuse from a friend, a relative, parents, a guardian or a carer.

Our CPP is informed by the ‘Safe from Harm’ code of practice (Home Office 1993). We seek to ensure that all children being cared for by SATUC or who are involved in some capacity with our projects should be kept safe.

Occasions when SATUC Staff and Volunteers may come into contact with children and young people:

• When SATUC is putting on a project such as a football tournament.
• At SATUC’s Football and Education Outreach programmes.
• At SATUC’s proposed Orphanage and School

Individual roles within the child protection process

All members of SATUC are responsible for implementing the Child Protection policy. If a member of SATUC has any immediate concerns about the abuse or neglect of a child they must notify senior management or the Directors at the most immediate opportunity.

Step by step guide following reports of abuse or concern

• A relevant senior member of staff should assess all allegations promptly and carefully and consider the need for immediate action.
• Where a senior manager decides there are serious grounds for immediate concern about an individual the police or ambulance service should be informed immediately via 999 if in the UK or 126 or 122 if in Cairo.
• When appropriate the child should be taken immediately out of harms way (in whatever guise) into relative safety.

Categories of Abuse

Physical Abuse – The first task should be to ask the young person to describe the incident and any resultant injuries.
Appropriate Action – If you are worried that the young person’s life is in immediate risk then you may want to consider calling the emergency services. If not then a report should be lodged with the police.
Sexual Abuse – Child sexual abuse usually comes to light in a different way from physical abuse or neglect. The most usual route is that the young person confides: this is usually referred to as ‘disclosure’.
Appropriate Action – The SATUC staff member’s role is not to discuss the detail of the case with the young person or with the parent/carer, but to listen, reassure and support the young person in taking action. If you are concerned that the young person is being sexually abused then you must discuss this with senior management who will then take appropriate action which could include taking advice from Social Services or contacting the police.
Emotional Abuse – Emotional abuse is present in all abuse but can also stand alone. Again, if you are concerned that this is present then you should discuss with the a senior manager what action is appropriate.
Appropriate Action – If the young person’s life is in immediate danger then contact the police. If not take steps to contact guardians/social services to discern a proper cause of action.
Neglect – For neglect to be considered it needs to be persistent or severe resulting in a “significant impairment of the young person’s health or development”.
Appropriate Action – If you feel the young person’s life is in danger then you may want to consider calling the emergency services. If you feel this is not appropriate then discuss the disclosure at the nearest possible opportunity with senior management and always within 24 hours. Identify who is responsible for the neglect and follow appropriate action which may include a tribunal.

SATUC is a non profit organization