2. ADOB RFC confirms that it adheres to the RFU’s Safeguarding Policy and the procedures, practices and guidelines and endorse and adopt the Policy statement contained in that document and any successor policy.

3. A child is defined as anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any rugby union activity. Currently, due to covid 19 regulation restrictions, no under 18s can be involved with adult rugby.

4. The Key Principles of the RFU Safeguarding Policy are that:

The welfare of the child 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.
Children have the right to expect support, and personal and social development delivered by an appropriately recruited, vetted person 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. ADOB 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. ADOB RFC recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.

6. ADOB RFC will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and the
Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators and Officials as appropriate.

7. The Club Safeguarding Officer is James Barnes (adobsafeguarding@gmail.com). The club has an assistant safeguarding officer Alex George. If someone witnesses or becomes aware of an incident where the welfare of a child has been put at risk they must, in the first instance, and at the very earliest opportunity inform the Club Safeguarding Officer who will then take full details and decide on appropriate action and, if necessary, complete a referral form to inform the regional Safeguarding Manager Emma Jones (safeguardingnorth@grfu.org) and/or the RFU Safeguarding Team. If an incident involves the Club Safeguarding Officer you should inform either the regional Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Team (02088316655). An incident report form can be found Here.

8. All members of ADOB 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. ADOB 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. 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.

10. ADOB 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. ADOB RFC ensures that all its coaches, parents, officials and spectators are aware that adults must not change at the same time if using the same facilities as the children.

11. ADOB RFC will ensure that its coaches (and team managers) will receive the support and training considered appropriate to their position and role. The NSPCC ‘Managing Challenging Behaviour’ Policy as recommended by the RFU has been adopted and circulated amongst the club workforce, both voluntary and paid.

12. Any events held on ADOB RFC 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 ADOB RFC must comply with the relevant RFU regulations and Guidance relating to tours.

13. At ADOB there is a gravel car park which needs to be crossed to access the pitches. The children, parents, coaches and other volunteers need to be aware of the possibility of accident and to encourage children to walk, not run. There is also the possibility of accident from a car, therefore although there is no speed limit signage drivers are advised to drive at 5 mph.

14. To access the 4G and other pitches children have to walk down the lane to access. There is a risk of accident by car therefore all children will be accompanied by an adult and all drivers made aware that although there is no signage there is a 5 mph speed limit in place.

This Safeguarding Policy is part of the Ashley Down Old Boys RFC Club Constitution.