THE TASK
Everyone working in Rugby Union has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of young people under the age of 18 (This includes all vulnerable adults), playing youth rugby and preventing abuse of youth players and VA. The welfare of both is paramount and all players whatever their age, culture, disability, religious belief or sexual identity, have the right to protection from abuse.
THE CB’S RESPONSIBILITY
All adult members, youth rugby coaches and other youth rugby volunteers of Buckinghamshire RFU (The CB) that have contact with youth members of the CB can be an important link in identifying cases where a youth player or VA may need protection.
The CB has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure that it provides youth players with the highest possible standard of care when they are involved in CB activities. The CB recognises it has a responsibility:
• To safeguard and promote the interests and well-being of youth players in rugby.
• To take all reasonable practical steps to protect youth players from harm, discrimination, or degrading treatment.
• To respect the rights, wishes and feelings of youth players.
As a result, the CB is committed to a policy of child protection procedures that will ensure viable safeguards to youth players, coaches, volunteers and CB members by establishing proper recruitment, provision of support, and appropriate training. Additionally, all new youth rugby coaches and other youth rugby volunteers who work within the CB (who are required to be DBS checked) will complete a registration form and submit to vetting by the Criminal Records Bureau.
The CB’s Child Protection Policy (together with any other codes or policies introduced by the CB from time to time relating to its youth players) will be posted on the Club’s website www.bucksrfu.co.uk . The codes and policies may be amended from time to time by the CB.
All youth rugby coaches and other youth rugby volunteers involved at the CB are required to familiarise themselves with the RFU Child Protection Policy and abide by it.
Allegations of a breach of the Club’s Child Protection Policy will be investigated in accordance with RFU disciplinary procedures.
THE CB’S CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
The details of the CB’s Child Protection Policy are:
• The CB recognises the value of working closely in partnership with youth coaches, parents, professionals and volunteers to protect its youth players from harm and discrimination.
• The CB acknowledges that abuse does take place in sport and that raising awareness and understanding of the main forms of abuse and establishing communication and reporting procedures if abuse is suspected within the CB will further safeguard youth players, youth rugby coaches, youth rugby volunteers and all others working within the game of rugby.
• A Safe-guarding Officer (formerly referred to at the CB as its Child Protection Officer) has been appointed to act as the first point of contact for concerns about the welfare of youth players within the Club. Contact details of the individual appointed will be shown on the CB website.
• Each youth rugby squad at the CB will nominate an adult (usually the age group Manager) who will be responsible for liaising with the Safeguarding Officer in respect of child protection matters in general and those particularly relating to that squad.
• The CB accepts that all officers, committee members and CB members have a responsibility in respect of child protection and the should be prepared to respond to any indication of abuse in line with RFU policy and to put in place structures and systems to ensure that this is followed in practice.
• All youth rugby coaches and other youth rugby volunteers (that are required to under RFU policy) at the CB are required to complete a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure form and an RFU Application Form.
• A disciplinary panel, made up of 3 CB members in line with RFU criteria and with powers laid down by the RFU, will be convened as and when required to conduct a disciplinary hearing in connection with child protection matters.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• The CB acknowledges that appropriate training will enable individuals within the CB to recognise their responsibilities with regard to their own good practice and the reporting of poor practice or concerns of possible abuse. All the CB’s coaches working with youth players will be expected to complete an appropriate RFU coaching course. Other youth rugby volunteers will be encouraged to seek appropriate training to assist them in the conduct of their role at the CB.
However, the CB acknowledges the value of unqualified volunteers and these will be supervised by a qualified coach/manager.
• All youth rugby coaches and other youth rugby volunteers who have regular contact with youth players are encouraged to complete the RFU Guide to Best Practice and Child Protection distance learning course. A pack for this course is available from the RFU.
• The CB will encourage youth rugby coaches and youth rugby volunteers to stay up-to-date with rugby, coaching, and child protection issues, as issued from time to time by the RFU.