About this page…

Thirsk Hockey Club has a responsibility to safeguard the safety and welfare of its members. Our club has adopted England Hockey’s Proud to Protect Safeguarding and Protecting Young Peoples policy and will follow its recommended procedures when dealing with any expression of concern.
Child Protection plays an important part within our ‘Clubs 1st’ accreditation and is an issue that all members, both within the junior and senior sections, should be aware of and familiar with its demands.
Jo Lightfoot is our club’s designated Welfare Officer and can provide you with any further details that you may find of help.

Keeping Kids Safe
Childline 0800 1111
NSPCC 0800 800500

A YOUNG PERSON’S GUIDE TO CHILD PROTECTION

You have rights – Sport should be fun. You should feel safe and enjoy your sport. You can’t do this if you feel unhappy – if someone is bullying or abusing you.

WHEN DO YOU KNOW IF SOMETHING IS WRONG?

Something is wrong if someone:

• Constantly teases you, shouts at you or calls you names
• Threatens, hits, kicks or punches you
• Touches you or does anything that makes you feel uncomfortable
• Makes suggestive remarks or tries to pressurise you into sexual activity
• Damages or steals your belonging
• Does anything that makes you feel lonely, upset, worried, unsafe, hurt or embarrassed.

If any of the above happens to you, do not wait for it to happen again, act immediately.

WHAT TO DO

If you are being bullied or abused, it is not your fault. If this is happening try to:

• Be firm and tell the person to stop – make a lot of noise to attract attention
• Get away from the situation quickly, go to a public place to find help or call the police (999)
• Tell your parents/carers or an adult you can trust what has happened as soon as possible, so they can help you
• Keep a note of the date, time and place, what happened, how you felt and the name of anyone who may have seen what happened

Use the 24 hr free telephone helplines:
Childline 0800 1111
NSPCC 0800 800500
Keep trying if you can’t get through straight away.
Don’t ignore what is happening – always tell someone you trust. Police station’s & social services office’s will have staff who are specially trained to support young people who have been bullied or abused.

Don’t give up until someone helps you and you feel safe.

TO KEEP SAFE ALWAYS:

• Tell someone you trust, so they can help you
• Trust your instincts about the people you meet
• Avoid being alone or with just one other person
• Travel with a friend, avoid travelling in someone else’s car by yourself
• Avoid going to other people’s homes by yourself
• Carry a mobile phone, phone card or change.