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Safeguarding

Safeguarding at Woodbridge Rugby Union Football Club


Woodbridge RUFC acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults involved in rugby at our club.

It is EVERYONE’S responsibility at Woodbridge RUFC to report concerns. Woodbridge RUFC is committed to working in partnership with parents/carers and statutory welfare agencies in order to safeguard the young people at our club.

Woodbridge RUFC confirms that it adheres to all the RFU’s Safeguarding Policies and procedures, recommended practices and guidelines and furthermore endorse and adopt the statements contained in those documents. These can be viewed at:

http://www.englandrugby.com/governance/safeguarding/

All coaches and adult helpers working with young people at Woodbridge RUFC will be made aware of good safeguarding practices and any poor practices will be addressed immediately.

Key Principles
For the definitions under ‘Child Protection’, 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.

The Key Principles of the RFU Welfare Policy are that:

  • The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult (as appropriate) is, and must always be, paramount to any other consideration.
  • 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 and should be able to enjoy their rugby in a positive, safe and enjoyable environment.
  • All allegations or suspicions of abuse, neglect, harm, discrimination and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately.
  • Working in partnership with other organisations, statutory agencies, parents, carers, children and young people is essential for the welfare of
  • Children have a right to expect support, and personal and social development delivered by an appropriately recruited and vetted adult.

 

Woodbridge RUFC 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. Woodbridge RUFC recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.

Woodbridge RUFC will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators and Officials as appropriate.


Contacts

Woodbridge RUFC Safeguarding Team

  • Safeguarding Officer – Adam Lubbock safeguarding@woodbridgerugby.net/ 07502279497
  • Deputy Safeguarding Officer – Chrissie Gordon 07824643284
  • Deputy Safeguarding Officer – Claire Cole
  • Deputy Safeguarding Officer – Ann Snowdon

 

Reporting
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 or one of the safeguarding team. They will then inform the CB Safeguarding Manager and the RFU Safeguarding Team. If an incident involves the Club Safeguarding Officer you should inform Tim TJ Johnson the club Chairman who will contact either the CB Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Team.

Regulated Activity
All members of Woodbridge RUFC who work with children in Regulated Activity must undertake an RFU Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with RFU Regulation 21. Chrissie Gordon, Ann Snowdon and Claire Cole have access to the DBS system for applications and updates. In most cases an Enhanced DBS with children’s barred list is required.

Conduct & Behaviour
Woodbridge RUFC 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. The club has specific codes of conduct for players, parents, coaches and volunteers but 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 child.
  • Consuming alcohol whilst responsible for children.
  • Providing alcohol to children or allowing its supply.
  • Smoking in the presence of children.
  • Humiliating children.
  • Inappropriate or unnecessary physical contact with a child.
  • Participating in, or allowing, contact or physical games with children.
  • Having an intimate or sexual relationship with any child developed as a result of being in a ‘position of trust’
  • Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material.

 

Changing Rooms
Woodbridge RUFC manages the changing facilities and arranges for them to be supervised by at least two adults (DBS checked) of the appropriate gender for the players using the facilities. Woodbridge Rugby Club 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 or vulnerable adults.

Training and awareness
Woodbridge RUFC aim to ensure that its coaches [and team managers] receive the support and training considered appropriate to their position and role. Therefore communication between the safeguarding team, the Junior Chair and Club Coaching Coordinator support this.

Communication with children
At Woodbridge RUFC we strongly recommend that coaches DO NOT participate in communication with children on social networking sites or by personal or frequent text messaging. Contact with players should always be via their parent(s) or carer.

Events & Private Hire
Any events held on Woodbridge RUFC premises must comply with this Policy and if appropriate a Safeguarding Plan should be discussed and circulated to those affected.

Tours – domestic & overseas
Any tours, overseas or domestic, undertaken by Woodbridge RUFC must comply with the relevant RFU Regulations and Guidance relating to tours.

Woodbridge RUFC safeguarding code:

In the interest of maintaining child welfare it is important to adhere to the following rules when applicable:

  • All rugby coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person with whom they work with and treat them equally within the context of rugby union
  • All rugby coaches must place the physical and emotional wellbeing of all young players above all other considerations, including the development of performance
  • The relationship that a rugby coach develops with the players with whom they work must be based on mutual trust and respect.
  • All rugby coaches must ensure that all activities undertaken are appropriate to the age, maturity, experience and ability of the young players.
  • All rugby coaches must encourage young players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.

 

Please note: A responsible adult whether the parent or an appointed other should be present at all times when a child is engaged in activity at Woodbridge Rugby Club or when representing the club at an away fixture. If this obligation is not respected unfortunately the child will be withdrawn from the game/training that he/she is involved in. The club cannot act in locum parentis.