ROTHERHAM RUGBY CLUB SAFEGUARDING POLICY

At Rotherham Phoenix we believe that all young people, whatever their ability, should be encouraged to take part in sport. Rugby Union has so much to offer young people in terms of skill, acquisition and development, friendship, enjoyment and the opportunity to compete. Whenever young people are with Club Officials and other members of the public we will make sure they are safe from verbal, physical, sexual and emotional harm. Rotherham Phoenix RUFC Junior Section has adapted the child protection policy of, and operates within the guidelines recommended by the RFU. All volunteers, coaches and officials working with young people will be made familiar with these guidelines and will be screened to check their suitability to work with young people. In order to satisfy the above, we will work to the following guidelines;
• ANYBODY working with children in a regulated activity (teaching, training, instruction, care, or supervision of children carried out by the same person frequently (once a week or more or 4 or more days in a 30 day period, or overnight) at the club must have a DBS check through the club.
• Coaches must place the wellbeing and safety of the player above the development of performance.
• Any volunteer must hold a valid DBS check.
• Rotherham Rugby Club should ensure that their volunteers and employees when working with children avoiding working in isolation out of the site of parents or other volunteers. They must work in pairs and never alone with a group or individual.
• At least one coach per age group must hold an RFU Coaching Award or recognised award. All other coaches must be working towards one. The coach must be engaged (i.e. not on the sideline) when coaching.
• Coaches must be kept up to date with knowledge and technical skills, and should also be aware of their own limitations. Coaches must only within the qualifications.
• Coaches must ensure that activities which they advocate are at the correct level according to age, maturity and ability of the players involved.
• Coaches, managers, volunteers and parents, must always promote the positive aspects of their sport, and never condone law violations of use of prohibited substances.
• Coaches and volunteers should constantly display high standards of behaviour or behaviour, and refrain from pursuits considered ‘unhealthy’ in front of their players. They must not make sexual explicit comments to children or use language that makes the child feel uncomfortable, lost confidence or self-esteem. The use of foul or obscene language is unacceptable.
• Children must not be allowed to drink alcohol or be encouraged to drink alcohol if they are under the legal age.
• Contact skills must be taught in a safe, secure manner. Paying due regard to the physical development of the players involved - physical handling of the child must only occur when there is no other way of coaching the technique (Level 2 Coaching Award in Rugby).
• Any inappropriate or aggressive contact or touching between adults or children is unacceptable.
• Any form of physical, sexual, emotional abuse, neglect, bullying, poor practice or sexual relations with anyone under the age of 18 will not be tolerated at this club.
• If groups are to be supervised in changing rooms, always insure that individuals work in pairs at the entrance to the changing room and the gender is appropriate. Children MUST NOT change in the same place as adults i.e. 18+ years.
Playing Up
• Children are classed as people under the age of 18 years old, however under RFU regulation 15 a male player can, with the necessary consent, play an adult game when he reaches his 17th birthday, although not play a front row position until they are 18 (Regulation 21).
• A coach responsible for a 17 year old in this position must constantly monitor their physical and mental well being.
• A 17 year old playing or training with adults, he is treated like an adult and this policy does not apply, however once the player is out of that environment the player is once again a child and this policy is reinstated.
Photo Consent
• Any photos used should not include any information which can lead to the child being identified. If it is necessary written consent must be gained and parents informed how the image will be used. This is more important when match reports are written.
• Photos should be of the team or activity not one individual.
• Parental consent must be gained for photos from all parents.
Web / Social Media / Electronics
• In terms of Safeguarding on the internet and social media, there will be closed groups for manager’s/coaches, and open groups for parents/managers/volunteers/players.
• Everyone is responsible for what they post on social media, therefore please remember that only positive comments/posts should appear on such sites.
If anyone has any issues/concerns they wish to raise please follow this procedure: 1 - Speak to coach/manager after incident. 2 - Contact Club Safeguarding Officer if it is felt the issue/concern has not been dealt with. 3 - Incident/concern will be investigated by CSO. 4 - Appropriate action will be taken.
On Tour
• If you are going on tour, (we would be delighted if you are!) all appropriate permissions should be obtained prior to travel. All necessary risk assessments to be completed & the tour checklist completed and signed off by the Club Safeguarding Officer.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, if you have any concerns or need information please contact the Club Safeguarding Officer - Karen Kirby - or call Karen - 07961 945 415.

Roth Phoenix