DURHAM CITY RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

1. DURHAM CITY RFC SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT

Durham City RFC is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children in the sport. All children are entitled to protection from harm and have the right to take part in sport in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment.

This Policy is based on the following principles

  • The welfare of the child is paramount.
  • All participants regardless of age, gender, ability or disability, race, faith, size, language or sexual identity, have the right to protection from harm.
  • All allegations, suspicions of harm and concerns will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately.
  • Everyone will work in partnership to promote the welfare, health and development of children.
  • The interests of those who work or volunteer with children will be protected.

Definition of a child

“Child” means a person under the age of 18 years as defined by the Children’s Act 1989. Children mean more than one child.

Regulation 15 – Age Grade Rugby

Regulation 15 and its guidance sets out the regulations which apply to all U18s rugby and must be read and adhered to, as appropriate.

Regulation 21 – Safeguarding

Regulation 21 sets out how allegations of abuse are dealt with and may be found on the RFU website.

It also sets out the Disclosure and Barring Service requirements for those working with children.

17 Year Old Males Playing in the Adult Game

RFU Regulation 15 states that a male player can, with written parental consent, play in the adult game when he reaches his 17th birthday, although not play in a front row position until his 18th birthday. The form may be found on the RFU website. Once completed and signed it must be kept as a record of the decision. The only exception is for players within the England National Academy.

The clubs management team will assess (prior to any training or playing) and continue to assess, that any 17-year-old player playing in adult games or training is both physically and emotionally capable of taking part. Those responsible for the management of adult teams which include 17 year olds, must at all times be mindful of the 17 year old player’s safety and wellbeing and ensure that a suitable adult from within the team and management acts as a mentor.

2. CORE VALUES

WHAT ARE RUGBY’S CORE VALUES?

TEAMWORK

Teamwork is essential to our sport. We welcome all new team members and include all because working as a team enriches our lives. We play selflessly: working for the team, not for ourselves alone, both on and off the field. We take pride in our team, rely on one another and understand that each player has a part to play. We speak out if our team or sport is threatened by inappropriate words or actions.

RESPECT

Mutual respect forms the basis of our sport. We hold in high esteem our sport, its values and traditions and earn the respect of others in the way we behave. We respect our match officials and accept our decisions. We respect opposition players and supporters. We value our coaches and those who run our clubs and treat clubhouses with consideration.

ENJOYMENT

Enjoyment is the reason we play and support rugby union. We encourage players to enjoy training and playing. We use our sport to adopt a healthy lifestyle and build life skills. We safeguard our young players and help them have fun. We enjoy being part of a team and part of the rugby family.

DISCIPLINE

Strong discipline underpins our sport. We ensure that our sport is one of controlled physical endeavour and that we are honest and fair. We obey the laws of the game which ensure an inclusive and exciting global game. We support our disciplinary system, which protects our sport and upholds its values. We observe the sport's laws and regulations and report serious breaches.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Sportsmanship is the foundation upon which rugby union is built. We uphold the rugby tradition of camaraderie with teammates and opposition. We observe fair play both on and off the pitch and are generous in victory and dignified in defeat. We play to win but not at all cost and recognise both endeavour and achievement. We ensure that the wellbeing and development of individual players is central to all rugby activity.

3. CODES OF CONDUCT

Purpose

These codes are written for players, coaches, match officials, parents and spectators. They are designed to ensure that all adults involved with Durham City RFC appreciate their role and responsibilities and understand the behaviour expected in Mini and Junior rugby. The Club wants our players to find enjoyment in their sport and fulfilment of their aspirations in the safe and positive environment, which these codes seek to foster.Durham City RFC Executive Committee expects all coaches to sign a declaration that they will adhere to the Coaches Charter and to all aspects of the Safeguarding Policy within their role.

Durham City Coaches Charter

  • We will respect the rights dignity and worth of Every Player and treat everybody equally.
  • We will ensure that the players safety is of paramount importance
  • We will hold up to date coaching qualifications for our role in line with Durham City’s club accreditation and RFU polices.
  • We will direct new coaches to the coaching co-ordinator or safeguarding officer to ensure they have the relevant checks.
  • We will gain authorisation to use the Club Logo and will obtain the relevant permissions to book tours in line with the clubs policies. We will obtain authorisation to instruct purchases on behalf of the club.
  • We will respect the clubhouse facilities, club property and equipment.

Parent's code

In Rugby Union coaches and administrators both fully acknowledge that parents are an integral part of the partnership, which ensures that young players enjoy their involvement in the sport and experience an environment in which they can flourish.

In Rugby Union parents are encouraged to:
- Be familiar with the coaching and training programme in order that they can ensure that their child is fully involved and the coaches are aware of their availability.
- Be familiar with the teaching and coaching methods used by observing the sessions in which your child participates.
- Be aware that the club has a duty of care and therefore, where appropriate, assist coaches with the supervision of the young players, particularly where numbers are large and there is a need to transport youngsters to away games.
- Be involved with club activities and share your expertise.
- Share concerns, if you have them, with club officials.
- Be familiar with the "Good Coach's code". In particular:
- Coaches should recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching young players.
- Coaches should keep winning and losing in perspective, encouraging young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
It is important that parents support coaches in instilling these virtues.

The Good Spectator’s code

Young rugby players are impressionable and their behaviour will often reflect that of adults around them. In Rugby Union we welcome spectators on our touchlines who embrace the ethos of the game as one of fun, enjoyment and skill development.

In Rugby Union spectators are encouraged to:
- Act as positive role models to all young players.
- Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU child protection guidance in relation to verbal and emotional abuse.
- Respect the rugby club policy with regard to spectator behaviour.
In Rugby Union spectators should:
- Remember children play sport for their enjoyment not yours.
- Acknowledge good individual and team performance from all youngsters irrespective of which team they play for.
- Respect match official's decisions. Remember, they are volunteers providing an opportunity for youngsters to play rugby.
- Never verbally abuse young players, match officials, fellow spectators or coaches. Such behaviour can create a negative environment for young players and their behaviour will often reflect this.
- Acknowledge effort and good performance rather than the "win at all costs" ethic.
- Verbally encourage all youngsters in a positive way. If you do want to shout make sure it is 'for', not 'at', the players.
- Condemn bad language, rude behaviour and violence.
- Encourage all youngsters irrespective of their ability – never ridicule any individual player, regardless of the team they play for.
- Remember - It's only a game!

4. CLUB RESPONSIBILITIES.

Club Safeguarding Officer

Durham City RFC will appoint a Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO) and assistant Safeguarding Officer to support and advise the club on all matters relating to the RFU Safeguarding Policy. The name and contact details of the Club Safeguarding Officer can be found on the DCRFC website and will also be available on the notice board in the clubhouse.

Consent and Parental Responsibility.

The RFU Safeguarding Policy assumes that both parents have Parental Responsibility and Durham City RFC will assume the same.

Written consent of parents will be required for a number of reasons for example consent to participate in the game, taking or publishing photographs or for any medical issues that may arise. This consent will be undertaken when registering the child with the club and will be updated at the beginning of each subsequent season.

Recruitment and Supervision of Volunteers and Staff.

Durham City RFC will ensure all reasonable steps are taken to prevent anyone who may pose a threat to a child from working within the club. Durham City RFC will apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for all volunteers and staff who work in a regulated activity with children in the club.

Regulation 21 sets out that regulated activity is defined as:

“Teaching, training, instruction, care or supervision of children carried out by the same person frequently (once per week or more often) or on four or more days in a 30 day period or overnight”.

Any volunteer or staff awaiting their certificate will be fully supervised by a person with a valid DBS certificate at all times until clearance has been received. DBS checks will be renewed every 3 years. Any person working in a regulated activity within the club is expected to notify the club and the RFU Safeguarding Team if they are cautioned or convicted of any offence, as a new DBS check may be considered necessary.

Training and Monitoring

Durham City RFC will ensure that as a minimum:

  • The CSO will attend an In-Touch workshop within 6 months if taking up post
  • Each mini and junior age group has at least one person who has attended a Play It Safe course. All coaches will complete the Rugby Ready Course as a minimum; Mini Section will have a minimum of 1 Level 1 coach and the Junior section has at least 1 Level 2 coach.
  • Ensure all members, parents and children are informed when a new CSO is appointed
  • Ensure all club officials and committee members are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities
  • Ensure that at any youth disciplinary panels the CSO supports the child and ensures that panel members consider the child’s emotional wellbeing throughout
  • Identifies any signs of harm and reports to the County Board Safeguarding Manager and RFU Safeguarding Team
  • Ensures the club’s children’s workforce has up to date DBS checks.

5. BEST PRACTICE

Environment

Durham City RFC recognise that weather conditions can vary throughout the year and as such will carry out risk assessments of the environmental conditions before and during a game or training session.

Children will be advised to wear appropriate clothing for all sessions and coaches are responsible for ensuring that all players are monitored through out each session.

All players will be encouraged to keep hydrated throughout each session.

Changing Facilities

Durham City RFC will ensure all its coaches, parents, officials and spectators are aware that adultsmust not use the changing facilities at the same time as children, young people or vulnerableadults.

Adults must only enter changing rooms when absolutely necessary due to poor behaviour, injury or illness. Adults must only ever enter the changing rooms by themselves in an emergencyand when waiting for another adult could result in harm to a child.

If children need supervisingin changing rooms, or coaches or managers need to carry out a range of tasks in that environment this must involve two DBS checked individuals of the same gender as the children.

No pressure should be placed on young people who feel uncomfortable changing or showering with others, if this is the case they should be allowed to shower or change at home.

Regualtion15

This regulation relates to youth rugby, known as Age Grade Rugby and relates to all players under the age of 18. Durham City RFC adopts the principles of Regulation 15

The rules for playing Age Grade Rugby are contained in RFU Regulation 15, which can be viewed along with all guidance notes by clicking on thislink

It is important that all Age Grade Rugby coaches together with all club administrators, whether from the Junior or Senior Sections of their clubs, are aware of Regulation 15 and fully understand the implications of ensuring that their players play at the correct age grade and where they wish to play players up or down an age grade they fully comply with the RFU policies to ensure the safeguarding of their players.

Forms for completion when playing players up or down an age grade are attached.

Playing kit and equipment

Players are not permitted to wear any form of jewellery or have sharp items or zips on their kit.It is ultimately the referee’s decision whether any item of a players clothing is acceptable or not.

Names on shirts - although there are no RFU regulations regarding this, Durham City RFU advise coaches and parents to refrain from putting names or nicknames on kits that can make the child easily identifiable.

Mouthguards - Durham City RFC recommend that all players wear a mouthguard at all times

Studs and Blades - These must not be sharp or abrasive

Glasses/goggles - Players of all age grades are permitted to wear spectacles, glasses or specifically designed sports goggles in all forms of non-contact rugby. Players are not permitted to wear glasses or sports goggles in any form of contact rugby.

Sponsorship - Durham City RFC Executive Committee will give consideration to any business wishing to be associated with children’s teams to ensure it is an appropriate sponsor. No age group will be permitted to use a sponsor on Durham City Kits without the prior consent of the Executive Committee.

Photographic Policy

Durham City RFC will ensure due care and attention is given when placing photographic images of children online.

As part of our commitment to ensure the safety of young people we will not permit photographs, video or other images including those taken via mobile phones of young people to be taken or used without the consent of the parents/carers and the young person.

Durham City RFC will follow the RFU/RFUW guidance for the use of images of young people. Durham City Rugby Union Football Club will take all steps to ensure these images are used solely for the purposes they are intended which are the promotion and celebration of the activities of the club. The images may be published on the website or other social media pages such as FACEBOOK.

If you become aware that these images are being used inappropriately you should inform the club Safeguarding Officer whose details can be found on the club website

If at any time either the parent/carer or the young person wishes the data to be removed from the website, the Club safeguarding officer should be informed.

Rules to Follow

Rules that will ensure compliance with the policy on photographic images are as follows:

1. Ensure parents/guardian/young person has granted their consent for the taking and publication of photographic images and have signed and returned the Parent/ Guardian and Young Person consent form.

2. All young people must be appropriately dressed for the activity that is taking place. Photographs will never be taken in changing rooms and images must not be sexual or exploitative nor open to misuse nor misinterpretation.

3. Photography or recording should focus on the activity rather than a particular young person and personal details, which might make a young person vulnerable, must never be revealed.

4. Anyone taking photographs or recording at any rugby event must have a valid reason for doing so and seek the permission of the organisers/persons in charge.