Scottish Archery Association is fully committed to:

• Ensuring that the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults is paramount;
• Creating and maintaining the safest environment possible for children (including young people and adults) participating in archery;
• Taking all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation;
• Promoting good practice and challenging practice that is harmful to children;
• Promoting the development of an ethos which embraces difference and diversity and respects the rights of children, young people and adults.

Scottish Archery Association's Child Protection Policy and Procedures are based on the following underpinning principles which are a foundation of the activity of Scottish Archery Association:

• Children (including young people and vulnerable adults) have a right to enjoy archery free from all violence, abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation;
• All children should be encouraged to fulfil their potential and inequalities should be challenged;
• Everybody has a responsibility to support the care and protection of children;
• Sporting organisations* have a duty of care to children who take part in archery.
• All children and young people should be listened to and have their views considered according to their age, maturity and understanding.
• All adults who work with children and young people have a right to be treated with respect and dignity irrespective of their gender, disability, 'race', sexual orientation, marital status, age, religious or political belief, offending background.
• All adults who work with children and young people have a right to fair and just treatment whenever a concern is raised about them including their conduct towards others.
• Parents have a right to expect that organisations to which they entrust their children provide appropriate care and protection for them.

*organisations include, but are not limited to, archery clubs, Area and National squads etc.

Scottish Archery Association will achieve this by:

• RECOGNISING that all young people and children have the right to freedom from abuse; to be treated with respect and dignity; and that the welfare of children and young people is paramount;
• RECOMMENDING that all our staff, consultants, coaches, officials and volunteers are carefully selected and accept a responsibility in helping to prevent the abuse of children and young people in their care;
• RESPONDING quickly and appropriately to all suspicions or allegations of abuse, by providing parents/guardians and children with the appropriate opportunity to voice any concerns they might have and reporting to the relevant authorities;
• ENSURING that access to confidential information is restricted to the person responsible for young people and children or the appropriate authorities;
• REVIEWING regularly the effectiveness of Scottish Archery Association's Child Protection Policy and Procedures;
• PROVIDING a point of contact for child safety matters and liaising between clubs, parents, members and Disclosure Scotland.

Police/Social Work Departments/Local Club Child Protection Officers and Scottish Archery Association will be the point of contact responsible for children and young people.

It is always the responsibility of the child protection agencies (i.e. the Police and/or Social Work) to investigate any concerns or allegations that a child or young person may be a risk of abuse and/or neglect.

This Child Protection Policy (CPP) applies to all staff, volunteers, consultants, Area and National Squads, clubs/members, coaches, officials, parents, children and young people affiliated to Scottish Archery Association. This CPP applies to children and young people up to the age of 18 and vulnerable adults.