Safeguarding at Vees
Introduction
This policy reflects our commitment to creating a safe and positive environment for all children and young people involved in our club. Our aim is to ensure that every volunteer working with us shares our values and dedication to safeguarding the welfare of our young players. This policy follows the best practise guidance as set in here: RFU-Safeguarding-Children-Policy-2022.
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It also adopts the RFU Guidance with respect to best practice in the following specific areas:
Encouraging-positive-behaviour
Safeguarding-considerations-for-changing-rooms
Physical-Intervention-in-Rugby
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1. Verulamians Rugby Football Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children involved in the club from harm.
2. Verulamians RFC confirms that it adheres to the Rugby Football Union’s Safeguarding Policy and the procedures, practices, and guidelines and endorses and adopts the Policy Statement contained in that document and any successor policy.(*1)
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3. A child is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any rugby union activity. However, where a 17- year-old male player is playing in the adult game, it is essential that every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure his safety and wellbeing are protected.
4. The Key Principles of the RFU Safeguarding Policy and, therefore this one, are that:
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The welfare of the child is, and must always be, paramount to any other considerations.
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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 harm.
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All allegations or suspicions of abuse, neglect, harm, and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly, and appropriately.
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Working in partnership with other organizations, statutory agencies, parents, carers, children, and young people is essential for the welfare of children.
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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.
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5. Verulamians RFC 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. Verulamians RFC recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.
6. Verulamians RFC will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators, and Officials as appropriate. (*2)
7. The Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO) is Bruce Wilson: vrfc.safeguarding@icloud.com 07983 151 542.
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 the Chairs of the Minis and Juniors section on minichairs.vees@gmail.com and either the CB Safeguarding Manager(*3) or the RFU Safeguarding Team (*4) .
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8. All members of Verulamians RFC who work with children in Regulated Activity must undertake an RFU Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with RFU Regulation 21.
9. Verulamians RFC 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 (see linked documents in the ‘Introduction’ section above). 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:
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Working alone with a child.
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Any irresponsible behaviour with respect to alcohol consumption when working with children.
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The supply of alcohol, from any volunteer, in their club role, to children in their charge and care.
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Smoking in the presence of children.
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Humiliating children.
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Inappropriate or unnecessary physical contact with a child.
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Participating in, or allowing, contact or physical games with children.
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Having an intimate or sexual relationship with any child developed as a result of being in a ‘position of trust.’
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Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material.
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10.Verulamians RFC manages the changing facilities and arranges for them to be supervised by two DBS checked adults of the appropriate gender for the players using the facilities. Verulamians RFC ensures that all its coaches, parents, officials, and spectators are aware that adults must not change at the same time, using the same facilities as children.
11.Verulamians RFC will ensure that its coaches and team managers will receive the support and training considered appropriate to their position and role.
12. Any events held on Verulamians RFC premises must comply with this Policy and if appropriate a Safeguarding Plan should be discussed and circulated to those affected. 13. Any tours, overseas or domestic, undertaken by Verulamians RFC must comply with the relevant RFU Regulations and Guidance relating to tours (*5)
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Club Safeguarding Officer​
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(*1) - Safeguarding / Rugby Football Union
(*2) - Code of Conduct / Rugby Football Union
(*3) - Saferguarding@hertsrugby.co.uk
(*4) - Safeguarding@rfu.com
(*5) - Trips, tours and overnight stays
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