1. Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children involved in Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club from harm.

2. Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club 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 and any successor policy.

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 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 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. Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club 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.

6. Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.

7. Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators and Officials as appropriate.

8. The Club Safeguarding Officer is Joanna Farrell (pictured below), and assisted by John McAuley, and Michelle McNamara.

9. If you witness or are aware of an incident where the welfare of a child has been put at risk you must, in the first instance, inform the Club Safeguarding Officer on: 07841 641724 or WCRUFCsafeguarding@outlook.com, They will then inform the CB Safeguarding Manager and the RFU Safeguarding Team.

10. If an incident involves the Club Safeguarding Officer, you should inform the Stephen Johnson (President): 07595-758144 and either the CB Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Team.

11. All members of Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club who work with children in Regulated Activity must undertake an RFU Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with RFU Regulation 21.

12. Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club 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 because of being in a ‘position of trust.’
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• Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material.

13. Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club 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. Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club 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.

14. Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club 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.

15. Any events held on Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club 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 Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club must comply with the relevant RFU Regulations and Guidance relating to tours.

https://www.englandrugby.com/governance/safeguarding/reporting-an-issue

https://www.englandrugby.com/governance/safeguarding/rfu-safeguarding-team

https://www.englandrugby.com/governance/safeguarding/advice-for-children

https://www.englandrugby.com/governance/safeguarding/safeguarding-courses

Printed: Joanna Farrell

Position: Safeguarding Office

Date 23rd July 2023

Printed: John McAuley

Position: Vice Chairman

Date: 27th July 2023

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