Children have the right to a safe and supportive environment when participating with West Carleton Soccer Club. Everyone who interacts with children must protect their safety. The following policy must be adhered to at all times. 

A Coach/Coordinator/Staff Member must not: 

1. Engage directly with children through any communication system, including social media. Club and team-based group communication must be addressed and directed to the children's guardians.

2. Participate in any meeting with an individual player when not in the presence of another adult; see the Club’s Rule of Two Policy.

3. Be alone with a child in a concealed, obscured, or enclosed space, including but not limited to cars and changing rooms.

4. Provide transportation to and from any Team or Club event unless accompanied by the player’s guardian or parent.

5. Leave children alone after a game or practice if their parent or guardian has yet to arrive to pick them up. In such cases, a Coach or Team Manager must remain with the child in a public, visible place until the player is picked up.

6. Be the only Coach or Team Manager at a Team practice or function other than a game.

7. Use profanity in the presence of a child. 

If faced with a “grey” situation, take caution or seek guidance from the Club Staff or Board, as even the most innocent situations can lead to unwanted challenges and misunderstandings. The essence of this policy is to put the child’s safety and well-being first and never be alone with a child, whether in a physical space or via direct communication channels. 

Treating Children with Dignity and Maintaining Boundaries

All Employees and Volunteers must: 

• Treat all children with respect and dignity

• Establish, respect, and maintain appropriate boundaries with all children involved in activities delivered by the organization. It is essential to monitor your behaviours towards children and pay close attention to the behaviours of your peers to ensure that behaviour is appropriate and respectful and will be perceived as such by others.

Reporting Requirements

All adults involved with the Club must report suspected child sexual abuse, inappropriate behaviour or incidents of which they become aware.

Incidents and suspicions must be promptly reported to the Club, even if you also report the incident to the Police.

Examples of the behaviour you may learn of or witness and that you must report include:

1. Potentially Illegal behaviour by an Employee/Volunteer of the organization 

2. Potential Illegal behaviour by a third party, such as a Parent, Teacher, Babysitter, Coach 

If you are unsure whether the issue you have witnessed or heard about involves potentially illegal or inappropriate behaviour, discuss it with the designated person within [Club], who will support you. 

Additional Resources 

The Abuse Free Sport Helpline is a National toll-free helpline offering assistance to victims and witnesses of harassment, abuse, and discrimination in a sports environment.

Text or Call 1-888-83-SPORT (77678) 

Email info@abuse-free-sport.ca 

Website: abuse-free-sport.ca

The Kids Help Phone provides professional counselling, referrals, and information to young people. Young athletes can talk confidentially with a trained volunteer Crisis Responder for support with any issue.

Text CONNECT to 686868 to access confidential support

Call 1-800-668-6868 to access professional and confidential support

Direct Message through the Kids Help Phone website at www.kidshelpphone.ca/urgent-help

Approved:  Dec 2024