Knaresborough RUFC consider that they have a moral obligation to ensure, when given responsibility for children, that coaches and volunteers provide them with the highest possible standard of care.

Through the implementation of this safeguarding policy and with the support of the coaches and volunteers, Knaresborough RUFC will maintain the necessary professional approach and safeguards of good practice required within the game of Mini/Midi and Junior/Youth rugby.

In order to achieve this Knaresborough RUFC has drawn up the following safeguarding policy to be implemented throughout the club, with appropriate personnel attending training courses sponsored by the RFU/RFUW and NSPCC.

The policy outlines the following key areas:

Recognising the responsibility of those involved with Knaresborough RUFC to safeguard and promote the interests and well being of the children with whom they are working.

The value of working closely with other coaches, parents and volunteers to protect children 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, coaches and others working within the club.

It is the responsibility of all adults to protect children from all forms of abuse.

Alleged child abuse (particularly sexual abuse) arouses strong emotions in those faced with dealing with such a situation; these feelings must be understood and not allowed to interfere with your judgment about what actions to take.

Abuse can happen within any environment, school, the home, sports or social clubs, etc. and can happen to your children. Some individuals actively seek to work with children in order to harm them.

Everyone working within the Rugby Union framework, paid or voluntary, has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of children and preventing abuse.

Adult club members and coaches, as well as parents, have regular contact with children and can be an important link in identifying cases where a child needs protection.

It is important to recognise that everyone associated with Knaresborough RUFC has a legal and moral obligation to ensure that the children for whom the club is responsible are provided with the highest possible standard of care.

Members of Knaresborough RUFC recognise that they have a responsibility to;
Safeguard and promote the interests and well being of children they are working with or supervising
Ensure that all adults who work with young people are aware of their role and
responsibilities and that training opportunities are made available to them
Take all reasonable practical steps to protect children from harm, discrimination or degrading treatment.
Respect their rights, wishes and feelings.

Knaresborough RUFC’s child protection procedures will;
Offer safeguards to children with whom we work and to all coaches, assistants, committee members and club members
Help to maintain the professional approach and the safeguards of good practice, which should operate within the club.

We recognise that any procedure is only as effective as the ability and skill of those who operate it. Knaresborough RUFC is committed to the sound recruitment, provision of support and appropriate training for coaches and helpers; enabling them to work together with parents/carers and other organisations to ensure the needs and welfare of the children

remains paramount.