1.01 The Craven Pothole Cub recognises the requirements of the Protection of Children Act 1999 (PoCA).

 

1.02 PoCA includes "children", that is under 16s’ and "young persons", that is young people recognised as children under the act, (further referred to here with equal meaning as "young persons" or “children").

 

1.03 PoCA takes in sexual, emotional and physical abuse and also "neglect" (which includes all aspects of failure to ensure the safety of a young persons and vulnerable adults).

 

2.01 The Craven Pothole Club recognises the importance of the welfare of young persons and vulnerable adults and their right to protection from abuse as set out in section 1.00 of this document.

 

2.02 The Craven Pothole Club recognises its duty of care to young persons and vulnerable adults, for the actions of its trustees, officers & agents.

 

2.03 The Craven Pothole Club will take all allegations of child abuse seriously and will respond to such allegations quickly.

 

2.04 The Craven Pothole Club considers that in any caving or mine exploration activity safety of the participants and conservation of the cave is of paramount concern at all times.

 

2.05 Underlying this it must be borne in mind that the Craven Pothole Club does not proactively promote the participation of young persons or vulnerable adults in caving or mine exploration. It takes this stance for a number of reasons:

 

a) caving can often be a strenuous activity requiring a mature physical and mental approach

 

b) a working knowledge of weather patterns & limestone hydrology can be vital for safe caving

 

c) caves are a strictly limited physical resource that deserve a mature appreciation of their conservation requirements.