Club Safeguarding Officer Needed!

Roger Milburn has decided, after a number of years service devoted service to the cause, to resign as Club Safeguarding Officer. Firstly, a massive thank you to Roger on behalf of the whole Club for making sure we all stay on the straight and narrow.

Secondly, this role is one of, if not, the most important within the Club due to its Child Protection Responsibilities amongst other things. Therefore, we need to fill this position as soon as possible.

I suggest that it would suit a police officer, teacher or someone from the medical/emergency services for obvious reasons and ideally from the U12s-U7s age groups. Although, if any one is interested in the rôle please feel free in stepping up to the plate.

Please can all Team Managers forward to their respective age groups and any interested candidates please feel free to contact Andy Fawssett or Roger Milburn to discuss.

Please see further info on the role below.

Nature of the Role:

To provide leadership in the Safeguarding of children in rugby union within the rugby club, maintaining key relationships with the CB Safeguarding Manager (CBSM) and local safeguarding partners. The Club Safeguarding Officer should undertake appropriate RFU safeguarding courses and will ideally have a background in child protection from any of the statutory agencies (Police, Social Services, Children’s Services). The person should also have a range of skills & attributes including: empathy, approachability, good sense of humour, objectivity, attention to detail, resilience and dedication to the cause of safeguarding young people under the age of 18. In return, the appointed individual will receive ongoing support from the CB Safeguarding Manager in the form of training, visits, guidance and regular communications.

Key Tasks:

• Develop the clubs own ‘Safeguarding Vulnerable People Policy’ and procedures in conjunction with the RFU policy and circulate & promote the RFU or clubs Codes of Conduct;

• Be visible and approachable to all club members and ensure your contact details are available to all young people, parents and club personnel and that these are posted on club notice boards, are on the club website and are registered on Rugby First;

• In conjunction with the CBSM, develop an effective CRB processing system within the club to ensure that all individuals working with young people undertake a CRB application every three years;

• To co-ordinate a programme of training, in conjunction with CBSM and/or RDO, for club personnel, including club management committee, involved in working with young people (i.e. Safeguarding & Protecting Young People in Rugby Union courses);

• To ensure that all safeguarding issues and incidents involving adult(s) and children/young people under 18 are reported promptly to the CBSM (or RFU Safeguarding team in their absence);

• To have contact details for the local statutory agencies (police / social services etc.) and liaise with them when necessary;

• To ensure that the club has an induction pack, which includes the club safeguarding/child protection policy, for new mini & youth players and that all parents sign for its receipt;

• Be aware of individual children’s special educational or medical needs and the need to inform appropriate club age-group coaches/managers;

• To be an active or co-opted member of club management committee

• To ensure that the clubs first aid co-ordinator complies with RFU medical/first aid protocol

• To monitor club website for inappropriate content and report/amend as appropriate;

• To be involved in a club’s Seal of Approval accreditation and to verify and confirm the information provided to the RDO is correct; and

• To distribute literature, electronic communication and new developments concerning the safeguarding of young people to club personnel as appropriate.

To appropriately challenge any behaviour by spectators or players that contravenes the codes of conduct set down by the RFU.