North Ribblesdale RFC

Club Safeguarding Policy

North Ribblesdale Rugby Football Club Safeguarding Policy

THIS POLICY MUST BE ADHERED TO WHEN TRAINING OR MATCHES OCCUR AT OTHER VENUES

1. North Ribblesdale Rugby Football Club (NRRFC) acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard    the welfare of all children involved in NRRFC from

2. NRRFC confirms that it adheres to the Rugby Football Union’s Safeguarding Policy and the procedures, practices and guidelines and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document and any successor policy.

3. A child is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any rugby union However, where a 17 year old player is playing in the adult game it is essential that every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure their safety and wellbeing are protected.

4. The Key Principles of the RFU Safeguarding Policy are that:

• The welfare of the child is, and must always be, paramount to any other

• All participants regardless of age, gender, ability or disability, race, faith, culture, size, shape, language or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse or

• All allegations or suspicions of abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and

• Working in partnership with other organisations, statutory agencies, parents, carers, children and young people is essential for the welfare of children.

• Children have a right to expect support, and personal and social development delivered by an appropriately recruited, vetted and managed in relation to their participation in rugby union, whether they are playing, volunteering or officiating in the community or professional areas of the sport.

5. NRRFC recognises that all children have the right to participate in sport in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment whilst at the same time being protected from abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice. NRRFC recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.

6. NRRFC will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators and Officials as

7. The Club Safeguarding Officer is Elaine Croll 07715819991 / laineyc1106@gmail.com If you witness or are aware of an incident where the welfare of a child has been put at risk you must, in the first instance, inform the Club Safeguarding Officer. They will then inform the CB Safeguarding Manager and the RFU Safeguarding Team. If an incident involves the Club Safeguarding Officer you should inform Chair of Mini and Junior Section or another committee member and either the CB Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Team.

8. All members of NRRFC who work with children in Regulated Activity must undertake an RFU Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with RFU Regulation 21.

9. NRRFC will ensure that all its members, whether they are coaches, parents, players or officials will comply with the Best Practice Guidance as issued by the RFU. In summary, the following are NOT ACCEPTABLE and will be treated seriously by the club and may result in disciplinary action being taken by the club, the CB or the RFU:

• Working alone with a
• Consuming alcohol whilst responsible for
• Providing alcohol to children or allowing its
• Smoking in the presence of
• Humiliating
• Inappropriate or unnecessary physical contact with a
• Participating in, or allowing, contact or physical games with
• Having an intimate or sexual relationship with any child developed as a result of being in a ‘position of ’
• Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material

11. NRRFC manages the changing facilities and can arrange for them to be supervised by two DBS checked adults of the appropriate gender for the players using the facilities. However, NRRFC approach is that when changing facilities are in use that adult access is deterred unless deemed to be strictly necessary ie to check on the safety or welfare of a child. This would be undertaken (unless an emergency) by a minimum of two DBS checked adults of the appropriate gender. NRRFC ensures that all its coaches, parents, officials and spectators are aware that adults must not change at the same time as children using the same facilities.

12. NRRFC will ensure that its coaches [and team managers] will receive the support and training considered appropriate to their position and role.

13. Any events held on NRRFC premises must comply with this Policy and if appropriate a Safeguarding Plan should be discussed and circulated to those affected. Any tours, overseas or domestic, undertaken by NRRFC must comply with the relevant RFU Regulations and Guidance relating to tours.

Signed: Gavin Davidson

Date: 4.9.22

Signed: C Eccleston

Date: 4.9.22

Signed: E Croll

Date: 4.9.22