Foreword
Hensingham A.R.L.F.C Rugby League Club consider that they have a moral obligation to ensure that, when given responsibility for children and young players, all coaches, team representatives and officials provide them with the highest possible standard of care.

Hensingham A.R.L.F.C Rugby League Club consider that they have a moral obligation to ensure that, when given responsibility for children and young players, all coaches, team representatives and officials provide them with the highest possible standard of care.

Through the implementation of a child and young player protection policy, and with the support of its coaches, officials, and a growing number of governing bodies, we will maintain the professionalism and safeguards of good practice, which are associated with our game of Rugby League.

In order to achieve this we have developed guidelines, and training opportunities will be made available within our club structure.

The policy outlines the following key areas:

Recognising the responsibility of those involved in junior rugby league, to safeguard and promote the interests and well being of the children and young players with whom they are working The value of working closely with other coaches, parents, professionals, officials, and volunteers to protect children and young players from harm and discrimination.

Recognising 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 will further safeguard the children, young players, coaches and all other working within our club structure.
Introduction
It is widely accepted that it is the responsibility of every adult to protect children and young people from abuse.

It is widely accepted that it is the responsibility of every adult to protect children and young people from abuse. Child abuse and particularly child sexual abuse can arouse strong emotions in those facing such a situation and it is important to understand these feelings and not allow them to interfere with your judgement about any action to take.

Abuse can occur within many situations including the home, school and the sporting environment. It can happen to your children. Some individuals will actively seek employment or voluntary work with children in order to harm them. Everyone working in the Rugby League, either in a paid or voluntary capacity, together with those working in affiliated organisations has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of children and preventing their abuse. All adult club members, coaches, and officials may have regular contact with children and can be a very important link in identifying cases where protection is required.

When establishing guidelines concerning the protection of children, it is important to recognise that the organisation has both a moral and a legal obligation to ensure that when it is given responsibility for children, it provides them with the highest possible standard of care.

All persons involved in Hensingham A.R.L.F.C. recognise that they have a responsibility:

To safeguard and promote the interest and well being of children with whom they are working.

To take all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination, or degrading treatment.

Child protection procedures will:

Offer safeguards to the children with whom we work, and to our coaches representatives and volunteers alike.

Help to maintain the professionalism and the safe guards of good practice which are associated with our club.

It is recognised that any procedure is only as effective as the ability and skill of those who operate it. Hensingham A.R.L.F.C. Committee are committed therefore to the sound recruitment, provision of support, and appropriate training for all their coaches, officials, and volunteers. This will enable them to work together with Parents/carers and other organisations to ensure that the needs and the welfare of your children are paramount.
Statement of Principles
The young players welfare is paramount All young players whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, racial origin, language, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse.

The young players welfare is paramount All young players whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, racial origin, language, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse.

All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

Anyone under the age of 18 years should be considered as a young player for the purposes of this document.

Working in partnership with the young players and their parents/carers is essential for the protection of the young players. All who are associated with the Hensingham A.R.L.F.C. organisation recognise the statutory responsibility of the social services department to ensure the welfare of the children and are Committed to working together with local area child protection committees and to complying with their procedures