Increasingly, councils, schools, churches and others with rooms for hire expect organisations to have a child care policy. The English Chess Federation is currently urging all clubs to comply with its Health and Safety guidelines which are being considered by various Midlands leagues.
Membership of Lichfield Chess Club is open to players of any age and the club has a duty of care not only towards juveniles who come to the club either as members or visitors, but to any disadvantaged adult.
In common with many other sports organisations the club has decided not to select juniors for away matches unless they are accompanied by a parent or an adult nominated by the parents.
As regards club nights, members have been advised that they should avoid being alone with junior members and junior visitors and should remember that words and gestures, however innocently intended, can sometimes be misinterpreted.
With younger juveniles the club insists that they are accompanied by a parent or guardian during club nights. Furthermore, as the Guildhall is open to the public, parents are asked to accompany children as far as the toilet corridor.
Anyone who has concerns regarding any aspect of Health and Safety relating to juveniles or disadvantaged adults are asked to raise the matter with the club’s Safeguarding Officer and secretary, David Short, or in his absence, with club chairman, Peter Collins.
A copy of this notice is given to parents and is shown to all visiting clubs which include juveniles in their team.
