1. Old Elthamians Rugby Football Club (OERFC) acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults involved in OERFC from harm.

2. OERFC 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.

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 Children & Vulnerable Adults Policy are that:

• The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult (as appropriate) is, and must always be, paramount to any other considerations.

• 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.

• All allegations or suspicions of abuse, neglect, harm 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 and young people.
• 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. OERFC 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. OERFC recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.

6. OERFC will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators and Officials as appropriate. OERFC will ensure its spectators, parents, members and officials are all aware of and have accepted the club Photographic Policy as set out in the club welcome pack and on the website.

7. OERFC will endeavour to comply with the Guidance for Websites as set out on the RFU website and appendixed to this document.

8. The Club Safeguarding Officer is James Martin, their contact details are on the club notice board together with pictures of them both and on the club website. If you witness or are aware of an incident where the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult 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 Executive. If an incident involves the Club Safeguarding Officer you should inform the Safeguarding Officer not involved or Paul Abbott as Youth Chairman and either the CB Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Executive.

9. All members of OERFC who have a regular supervisory contact with children or a management responsibility for those working with children must undertake an RFU Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure and must also be ISA-registered in accordance with the RFU ISA-registration Policy.

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

11. OERFC manages the changing facilities and arranges for them to be supervised by two adults (ISA-registered and RFU CRB checked) of the appropriate gender for the players using the facilities. [ ] 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 or vulnerable adults.

12. OERFC will ensure that its coaches [and team managers] will receive the support and training considered appropriate to their position and role. The RFU “Managing Challenging Behaviour” Policy has been adopted and circulated amongst the club workforce both, voluntary and paid.

13. Any events held on OERFC 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 OERFC must comply with the relevant RFU Regulations and Guidance relating to tours.

14.Any events held on OERFC 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 OERFC must comply with the relevant RFU Regulations
and Guidance relating to tours.

15. No player may play adult rugby (or train with adults) until he or she has
reached their 18th birthday unless they fully comply with the relevant RFU
regulations, in summary:

Players who are 17 years old can play/train with seniors provided they have been assessed as capable of playing with adults

This requires parental & coach approval. The RFU "PLAYING ADULT RUGBY FORM (RFU Regulation 15.3.7)" must be filled in first & a copy of this form to both the Constituent Body Safeguarding Manager and the Club Safeguarding Officer on completion for confirmation of acceptance.

These players need written parental permission in order to play / train. To play in the front row, players must be 18.

The above applies to senior training as well as matches. Age group coaches should not send their players to train with the seniors if the above does not apply including during pre-season.