No Gnas Insurance Cover

[TWIW]

To all Coaches on the Forum.

You should read this, if you coach/teach children/young adults. It's very important

The following is an extract from the latest Archery UK re insurance for Child Protection:

• The Protection Of Children And Vulnerable Adults. Thc cover will extend to the Society. Regions. Counties and Clubs as long as they had no knowledge of the abuse or can show that they did everything t0 try to prevenl il from happening. The cover will not be provided to the person accused of abuse/alleged to be the abuser. It is therefore essential that you adopt and implement the GNAS child protection/vulnerable adult protection policy.

A special meeting to discuss this clause has been convened for the 16 June.

In the meantime, it would appear that if you become the subject of an accusation of child abuse you have absolutely no insurnace cover through the GNAS scheme.

My advice until this is resolved is to stay away from children or work under separate insurance arrangements I.e. Scouts, Air Training Corps etc.

Colin

[jojo]

Not being funny matey, but you make it sound as tho complaints about abuse is a common occurance, certainly caution should be applied, but one would have thought that coaches were applying caution already especially as our policy isnt set in stone yet.

Originally Posted by thewayitwas

In the meantime, it would appear that if you become the subject of an accusation of child abuse you have absolutely no insurnace cover through the GNAS scheme.

My advice until this is resolved is to stay away from children or work under separate insurance arrangements I.e. Scouts, Air Training Corps etc.

Colin

[TWIW]

Originally Posted by jojo

Not being funny matey, but you make it sound as tho complaints about abuse is a common occurance, certainly caution should be applied, but one would have thought that coaches were applying caution already especially as our policy isnt set in stone yet.

I can see where you are coming from. But ....... It only takes a complaint, beit true, false or imagined, it matters not one whit, for the insurance cover to be withdrawn. Thankfully complaints are few but not far between, most being misunderstandings, but every complaint has to be investigated. Once that procedure has been instigated, the GNAS insurance cover is withdrawn. No 3rd Party Liability, No Professional Indemnity, the hapless GNAS member is left high and dry to fend for him, or her, self.

So I repeat my warning. Be very careful, if you rely on the GNAS for your insurance, when working with children and young adults for the forseeable future.

Colin

So it looks like there's no real cover then?
It's a shame that it's come to this but if club's want to have coaching it looks like they're going to arrange private insurance cover for coaches.

[Robin the Hood]

This subject was hit upon in the last week or so,and it started as a
Is archery a fat persons sport?.....
and the subject was brought up after about reply 70 and developed into quite a concerning topic if anyone wishes to check it out.......

[jojo]

Originally Posted by Robin the Hood

This subject was hit upon in the last week or so,and it started as a
Is archery a fat persons sport?.....
and the subject was brought up after about reply 70 and developed into quite a concerning topic if anyone wishes to check it out.......

Well I would say this is a more dedicated post/thread on the subject than fat persons post. I always knew that the child and vulnerable protection policy would be a contentious issue in Scotland but I wasnt aware of the point raised by thewayitwas, I am not a coach and Im not involved in children in any way but when I was involved with the club I was the one that made sure the club implemented it into the constitution, but you can just imagine how many coaches out there may knock it on the head and say no thanks to coaching anymore, because if a coach is indeed on his or her own over this issue then potentially were talking bucket loads of money to sort that out and there wont be many clubs that will back a coach in those circumstances, reputations and integrity is on the line over potential shite complaints. Playing devils advocate here, I actually think the policy is the best things since sliced bread, but I do have to wonder how this entire policy is going to be policed, the potential for corruption out there is bigger than we know and believe me I know that for sure, tis one of many reasons I left my last club.

[bkupris]

The answer to this problem is DO NOT coach children or vulnerable adults unless their parent/guardian or carer is present at all times.

[TWIW]

Originally Posted by bkupris

The answer to this problem is DO NOT coach children or vulnerable adults unless their parent/guardian or carer is present at all times.

You're not even safe then, Brian. Mummy or Daddy is going to support little Johnny's or Jane's complaint over the stranger. The only safe way to continue for now is for an entirely independant witness to follow your every move and action. Totally impractical of course.

Personnally I am inclined not to go anywhere near another child archer for the forseeable future. I will also be looking very closely at the ATC insurance policy now.

Colin

[Robin the Hood]

Originally Posted by jojo

Well I would say this is a more dedicated post/thread on the subject than fat persons post. .

If you read the replys that came in on this subject you'd realise that the child protection laws were as much an issue as the fat people.....
Especially when its a child that starts to give the insults....
Many people will start to think twice as to whether they coach or not and it could mean the lack of support in the promotion of archery....
Here we have bkupris and thewayitwas who are both coaches getting quite concerned, and surely GNAS must re-think their ideas or we could see them brought under question by the members themselves..............

[TWIW]

Originally Posted by Robin the Hood

If you read the replys that came in on this subject you'd realise that the child protection laws were as much an issue as the fat people.....
Especially when its a child that starts to give the insults....
Many people will start to think twice as to whether they coach or not and it could mean the lack of support in the promotion of archery....
Here we have bkupris and thewayitwas who are both coaches getting quite concerned, and surely GNAS must re-think their ideas or we could see them brought under question by the members themselves..............

Robin.

For once (lol) the problem is not GNAS, it is the insurance company's unilateral decission to withdraw the cover. At least GNAS are trying to rectify the problem.

Remember though, this affects everyone who teaches/assists/coaches juniors. nit just coaches.

Colin