1 Any act, statement, conduct or other matter which harms a young or vulnerable person, or poses or may pose a risk of harm to a young or vulnerable person shall constitute behaviour which is improper and brings the sport into disrepute.
2 (a) Within this policy the expression “Offence” shall mean any one or more of the offences contained in the Schedules of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 and any other criminal offence which reasonably causes Matlock Athletic Club to believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a young or vulnerable person.
(b) All persons in such positions that Matlock Athletic Club deems relevant whose normal duties include caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of young or vulnerable persons are required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure from the CRB/DBS
3. Upon receipt by Matlock Athletic Club of:
then Matlock Athletic Club shall have the power to order that the individual be suspended from all or any specific activity in the sport for such period and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
4. In reaching its determination as to whether any action is required, Matlock Athletic Club shall give consideration, inter alia, to the following factors:
any investigation by Matlock Athletic Club or any other authority or body to proceed unimpeded having regard to the need for any action to be proportionate.
5 The period of an order referred to in 3 above shall not last beyond the date upon which any charge under these Rules or any Offence is decided or brought to an end.
6 Where an order is imposed on an individual under these Rules, Matlock Athletic Club shall bring and conclude any proceedings under these Rules against the person relating to the matters as soon as reasonably practicable.
7 Where a person is convicted, or is made the subject of a caution in respect of an Offence, that shall constitute a breach of these Rules then Matlock Athletic Club shall have the power to order the suspension of the person from all or any specific activity in the sport for such period (including indefinitely) and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
8 For the purposes of these Rules, Matlock Athletic Club shall act through its Management Committee.
9 Notification in writing of an order referred to above shall be given to the person concerned and/ or any club with which he/ she is associated as soon as reasonably practicable.
10 The applicable standard of proof shall be the civil standard, of the balance of probability. The more serious the allegation taking into account the nature of the misconduct alleged and the context of the case the greater the burden of evidence required to find the matter proved. Save for matters covered by the Matlock Athletic Club Protection Policy for Young and Vulnerable People, where the welfare and protection of young and vulnerable people shall be paramount and the test shall be whether more likely than not.
Reviewed November 2023
