Stopped Snorkel training because of Child Protection rules?

[Paul Renucci]

I wonder how many branches have stopped snorkel training for kids because of Child Protection awareness issues?

[Adrian Kelland]

I wonder how many branches have stopped snorkel training for kids because of Child Protection awareness issues?
Hi Paul,

I wonder if the question should be "How many branches have stopped teaching minors because of the unwillingness or inability of the Branch to understand and undertake Welfare of the Vulnerable based actions".

It is not just about Child Protection Paul, but I think it can be used as a lazy excuse not to involve children.

Adrian

[Steve Pearson]

I agree Adrian

Addressing the vulnerability issues isn't a great problem, and can actually be good exercise to carry out.

Steve

[tafel]

From your comments I assume you are in a club which has set up such procedures and protection for minors/vunerable people.

My club is looking to do just that and any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Bob Healey]

I still wonder what the problem is about setting up a Child and Vunerable Persons Policy, being 75% under 16 membership our branch had already a policy in place before the BSAC started their's in conjunction with the Local Authority. No system is perfect but at least we as the BSAC are trying. Other organisations such as the ASA have their policy and it doesn't put people off training others. I believe it is like stated previously it is just an excuse to keep the kids out. Such Branches are missing out on so much, these kids are the future Scuba divers.

Always remember as an Instructor you are classified as a Vunerable person and the policy is there to protect you as much as to protect the student.

To set up the Branch in line with the Policy contact Mary Tetley at HQ she is the BSAC Welfare Officer.

Bob Healey

[TerryH]

Such Branches are missing out on so much, these kids are the future Scuba divers.

You sure? Has anyone actually done the maths on this?

Reason I ask is that ignoring the age change, at best over the last say three
years we would have gained a potential 6 new junior members. In that same
time period we have actually gained 30 odd new PADI crossovers.

So what's really better for a branch? Concentrating on kids or PADI
crossovers?

BTW this isnt a pop at kids diving, but more a case of priorities.

T.

[Paul Renucci]

Thanks for the comments and maybe I'm getting paranoid about litigation issues.
I know of some clubs who when this first came in a few years ago, they went into shock at the thought of needing additional volunteers to keep an added eye on those being trained.

I went to those lectures and discussion's to better understand how to implement within the SSAC. For branches with a small membership this did pose difficulties.

In any event. Having tought at a local college on top of my full time work, I was asked to agree to police checking - personally I saw no issue although some might argue a breach of privacy!

In my line of work we get plenty who claim they are going to sue me or the staff for this or that - some do go ahead and try. And all I do is manage a shop!

I've personally had one person try to sue me just because I closed 10 minutes early! It's all down to what financial gain they think they may make on trying to sue. Lets all hope the Litigation Culture doesn't start using this doorway to pursue claims next. Michael Jackson comes to mind.

Keep up the good work.
Pleased to see a new thread on this issue appear.
The more aware everyone is the better protected everyone will be. :)

p.s. My week off to catch up on new regulations in the shop are over - so won't have much time for long chats - booo

[John Williams]

To set up the Branch in line with the Policy contact Mary Tetley at HQ she is the BSAC Welfare Officer.

no...she's not!

contact Mike Clack on welfare@bsac.com

John

[Bob Healey]

no...she's not!

contact Mike Clack on welfare@bsac.com

John
Yes she is John! All changed, Mary has taken it on board. Come on John get up to speed. LOL

Bob

[Bob Healey]

You sure? Has anyone actually done the maths on this?

Reason I ask is that ignoring the age change, at best over the last say three
years we would have gained a potential 6 new junior members. In that same
time period we have actually gained 30 odd new PADI crossovers.

So what's really better for a branch? Concentrating on kids or PADI
crossovers?

BTW this isnt a pop at kids diving, but more a case of priorities.

T.
Take your word for the numbers Terry, but why miss out on any potential members. Surely equality means the oportunity should be there for all to join and enjoy our fantastic sport.

So like was said earlier and you have confirmed, Branches won't adopt it so they can keep the kids out.

Bob


Bob

[Adrian Kelland]

Take your word for the numbers Terry, but why miss out on any potential members. Surely equality means the oportunity should be there for all to join and enjoy our fantastic sport.

So like was said earlier and you have confirmed, Branches won't adopt it so they can keep the kids out.

Bob


Bob
Perhaps you should search the forums for Terry's branch's reasons Bob. They are quite reasonable to me. They would appear to understand the pro/cons quites well and borne the result too.

http://www.bsacforum.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=562

Adrian

[Bob Healey]

Perhaps you should search the forums for Terry's branch's reasons Bob. They are quite reasonable to me. They would appear to understand the pro/cons quites well and borne the result too.

http://www.bsacforum.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=562

Adrian

Hi Adrian,
As we have always said a Branch can accept or decline anyone they want, on reasonable grounds and so long as they don't fall foul of the law on discrimination, all I'm saying is that the Welfare of the Vunerable Policy should not be used as an excuse. I support any Branch who has a legitmate reason for not taking minors, but remember the Welfare of the Vunerable Policy is not just there for minors. If they are not using it for an excuse why not adopt it anyway, still don't have to accept kids but also offers reassurance when teaching members of the opposite sex or even same sex who are adults and are in a position to make accusations.

I don't have any figures to hand or even if there are any, but IMHO I would think more accusations are made by adults than minors.

Worth a thought.

Bob

[Mike Halligan]

no...she's not!

contact Mike Clack on welfare@bsac.com

John

You quite sure about that?:o

[GaryC]

Think you guys are mixing up to different subjects here. Snorkeling and Teaching Children.

Personally I would not get involved in any snorkeling with children (or anyone) because I think it fairly boring.(personal view that) Other than that element required for Scuba training.

But would be happy to get children involved in Diving.

Gary

[John Williams]

You quite sure about that?:o

MIKE CLACK
My role in the Technical Department is to assist both the Technical Manager and Coaching Manager in helping to respond to a wide variety of members' technical queries on all aspects of diver training, branch and school management. I also hold the position of BSAC Welfare Officer, advising members on all matters relating to the Welfare of Children and Protection of the Vulnerable.

from
http://www.bsac.com/meet/meethq.html

but then...the BSAC site may be out-of-date!:rolleyes:

John

[David Walker]

but then...the BSAC site may be out-of-date!:rolleyes:

Well now you're just being silly ;)

David

[Bob Healey]

MIKE CLACK
My role in the Technical Department is to assist both the Technical Manager and Coaching Manager in helping to respond to a wide variety of members' technical queries on all aspects of diver training, branch and school management. I also hold the position of BSAC Welfare Officer, advising members on all matters relating to the Welfare of Children and Protection of the Vulnerable.

from
http://www.bsac.com/meet/meethq.html

but then...the BSAC site may be out-of-date!:rolleyes:

John
Web site is out of date. Sorry John. Will try to get it up dated unless Keith picks this up and can do it.

Bob

[Bob Healey]

Think you guys are mixing up to different subjects here. Snorkeling and Teaching Children.

Personally I would not get involved in any snorkeling with children (or anyone) because I think it fairly boring.(personal view that) Other than that element required for Scuba training.

But would be happy to get children involved in Diving.

Gary
Thats one of the great things about the BSAC there is something for everyone, whatever your diving tastes. I personally don't see the point in diving deep and looking at a pile of junk, sorry wreck, but can spend hours snorkelling around the rocks watching the sea life.

Horses for courses.

Bob

[Jon H]

yeah i agree to i had to wait 2 years to begin snorkling but then went scuba diving