THE SAFEGUARDINGAND YOUNGPERSONSPROTECTION POLICY

(January 2016)

Prepared on behalf of Ely RUFC Management Committee

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INTRODUCTION

ElyRugby UnionFootballUnion (ERUFC)hasadopted thispolicy becauseit isaccepted that itistheresponsibilityofevery adult toensureyoungpeopleenjoyrugbyunioninasafe environment.

Asanorganisationwe havea responsibilityto:

Safeguardandpromote theinterests andwellbeingofyoungpeoplewhoplay rugby.

 Respectyoungpeople’srights, wishesandfeelings.

Takeallreasonablepracticalstepstoprotectyoung peoplefromharm, discrimination ordegrading treatment.

Ensure that alladults areawareoftheirresponsibilitieswhenworkingwithyoung people.

The safeguarding procedureswill:

Offersafeguardsto theyoungpeople withwhom wecoach/train,and toour voluntarymembers andcoaches.

 Helptomaintaintheprofessionalismandthesafeguardsofgoodpractice, whichare

associated withtheRFU.

Inorder forthe protectionpolicy tobeeffectiveit is necessaryforCodesofConduct tobeinforcefor thefollowing persons:

- The Club SafeguardingOfficer (See AppendixA)

- TheCoaches (See AppendixB)

- ThePlayers (See AppendixC)

- HelpersandCarers (See AppendixD)

- Parents andSupporters (See AppendixE)

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Structure ofdocument

Thisdocument setsoutourpoliciesandis basedaroundguidancefromtheRFU. Copiesof allRFU documentscan be foundat :

Section

1. Principle Statement

2. Policy Overview

3. Policy and procedure on abuse

a. Inside the Rugby Environment

b. Outside the Rugby Environment

4. Policy and procedure on behaviour

5. Prohibitedpractices

6. Codesof Conduct

a. Welfare Officer b. Coaches

c. HelpersandCarers d. Players

e. ParentsandSupporters

7. Usefulinformation

8. RFU IncidentRecordForm

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SECTIONONE

Principle Statement

Theyoungplayer’swelfareisparamount.

Allyoung playerswhatevertheirage,culture,disability, gender,language,racialorigin, religions,beliefandorsexualidentityhavetheright toprotectionfromabuse.

Allsuspicions andallegations ofabuse will betakenseriously andresponded toswiftly and appropriately.

Anyone under theageof18yearswillbeconsideredasayoungplayerforthe purposesof thisdocument.

ERUFC hasappointedaClub SafeguardingOfficerwhoshallberesponsiblefor the implementation,monitoring and theenforcementof theorganisation’s welfare and safeguardingpolicy.

Itisthe aim of ERUFCtobuilda safe, enjoyable environment,whichwillfosteralifelong commitmentto the game ofrugby,forallparticipantsand members, regardlessofability. We believethatwewill achievethis aim byadhering to thesepoliciesandensuring that rugby is anenjoyable and positive experience forall.

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SECTION TWO

ChildSafeguarding Policy- Overview

AtERUFC, thehealth,wellbeing andwelfare of theyoungpeoplewhotrainwithusand represent theorganisation,orwhovisit us, isofparamountconcern.

Seriousincidentsof abuse

Incidents of physical,sexualandseriousabusearerare.Should youbelievethat youknow of,orhavewitnessed,orpossiblywitnessedsuchanincident,youshouldcontacttheClubSafeguarding Officerwithout delay. Contactdetailsareon theERUFC website and on the club noticeboard.

Detailsof theprocedurearecontained in thenextsection.Alsoincluded are detailsofwhat todoifayoungperson confidesinyou,oryoubelievemayconfideinyou,aboutsuch matters. Please doread thissection- thelaw isn’t asobvious asyou may assume.

Ourcommitmenttoyoung people, parents andcoachesisthatwewilltreatany incident seriously andsensitively,involvingtheappropriate professionals,rememberingthat the needsof theyoungpersonareparamount.

Duty of Care

We believethatwehaveadutyof care totheyoung people whoplay inour teamsandtrain withus,andthisextendstoensuringthat our coachesare appropriatelyqualifiedand understand theirresponsibilities. ItisERUFC’s policy that coachesshouldhaveattained the RFU coachingqualifications appropriatetotheiragegroup. Allregularcoachesandofficers of theorganisationwill beDBS checked.

TheProhibited Practicessectionalsolists some‘Do’s’ and‘Don’ts’forallthoseinvolved to ensure that theydonot inadvertently exposethemselves toallegations of inappropriate behaviour.

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DBS Disclosure

Alladults whohave‘regularsupervisorycontact withyoungpeople’mustundertakeDBS disclosure withineightweeks of theappointment toaposition,whichinvolvesregular supervisory contactwithyoungpeople.

Theseadults willinclude:

 Allcoaches

 TeamManagers

 Safeguarding Officer

 Professional Staff

 Physiotherapists

 Administrators

DBS disclosuremust beconductedthroughtheRFU Child ProtectionDepartmentwhohave jurisdictiontodealwithany matterarisingfromany suchdisclosure.

Behaviour

Whilstseriousincidentsarerare,concerns and complaints about behaviouraremore frequent. Whilst at trainingorrepresenting ERUFC, weask that allyoungpeople, coaches, parents andsupportersrespectourpoliciesandstandards. We willalsomakeit clear tovisitorsthat weexpecttheCodeofConductof theRFU toberespected. Ourpolicies canbefoundinfullin latersections,butare summarised here:

- the welfare of youngpeopleisparamount

-feedbackto,andsupport of,theyoungpeopleshould bepositive,constructive andsupportive

-itisneveracceptabletoverbally abusethereferee,theoppositionand their supportersorany youngpeopleintheteam

-allyoungpeopleshouldbeaccorded equalrespect,regardlessofability or performance

- youngpeopleplayforfunandenjoyment andwinningisonly apartofit

-thewinningethic shouldrunparallelwithotherethicalconsiderations

-allactivitiesshould beageappropriateandundertakenwithregardto the safetyof theyoungpeople

-therelationshipsbetweencoachesandyoungpeopleshould bebuilt onmutual respectandopenness,andtherights anddignityofallyoungpeopleshouldbe respected

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SECTIONTHREE

A. Policy and procedure on instance of abusetaking place withinthe Rugby

Environment

ERUFC will not tolerateany formofabusetowards membersandassociates of the organisation.

There are of coursesomany formsofabuse that itwouldnot bepossible to providea definitivelist. However, thefourmainformsofabuseare:

1. Emotional

2. Abusebyneglect

3. Physicalabuse

4. Sexualabuse

PROCEDUREFOR REPORTINGINCIDENTS

Ifanyonehasconcern about thebehaviourof staff,coach,managerorvolunteerorany otherperson theyshouldfollow thefollowing procedure:

Ifyoubecomeaware ofanythingwhich causesyoutofeeluncomfortableyoushouldtalk to theERUFC SafeguardingOfficer.

Thismeansbeingaware of theattitudesofstaff,coachesandvolunteersandof the interactionsbetween themandtheyoungpeopleandwitheachother.

Ifthebehaviouriscontrary totheERUFC orRFUSafeguarding Policy andProcedures and youngpeopleareatriskthenactionmust betaken.

Adults mustalsobealert toanyunusualincidentsoractivitieswhichtakeplacewherestaff, coachesorvolunteersareputtingyoungpeopleandthemselvesinavulnerableposition.

Inallcasesof reported poorpractice/abuse the followingprinciplesshouldbeadopted:

DO

 Stay calm-do not rushintoinappropriateaction.

Reactcalmlyin order not toalarmtheyoungperson.

Reassure the youngpeople- that theyare not toblame andconfirm thatyou know how difficultitmust be toconfide.

 Listensympathetically-towhat theyoungpersonsays andshow thatyoutake

themseriously.

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Keep questionsto a minimum- thelaw isverystrictandchildabuse cases havebeendismissedwhere theyoungpersonhas beenledorwordsandideas havebeensuggested. Only ask questionsto clarify.

Ensure youclearly understandwhatthe young personhassaid-inorderthat theinformation can be passedontotheappropriateagencies.

Consultwiththe ERUFC SafeguardingOfficerensuring that youcommunicatealltheinformation accurately.

MaintainConfidentiality-allincidents willbetreated withan openmindand handled in afairandequitablemanner.Informationwillonlybesharedona need toknowbasis.

Ensurethe safetyof theyoung person- if urgentmedicalattentionisrequired thencallanambulance,inform thedoctorsof the concernsandensure they

areaware that thisisasafeguardingandwelfareprotectionissue.

Listensympathetically-towhat theyoungpersonsays andshow that youtake themseriously.

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DON’T

 Don’t panic-orallow yourfeelingsto beevident.

Don’tmakepromisesyoucannot keep- explain thatyouwillneedtotellother people.

 Don’tmaketheyoungperson repeat thestory unnecessarily.

 Don’t delay.

 Don’tspeculateormakeassumptions.

 Don’tapproachtheallegedabuser.

 Don’t takesoleresponsibility.

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Inallcases,ifyouarenotsurewhattodoyoucangain help fromNSPCC

24-hourhelpline08088005000, Childline 0800 1111, Child Protection in Sport Unit 0116 234 7278 ortheRFU Safeguarding Officer 0208 8318732

Inallcasesawritten recordwillbekept of theallegation,theinvestigationandthe outcome.Thisrecordwill be kept confidentially.

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B. Policy and procedure on instance of abusetaking place withinthe Rugby

Environment

Itmaycome tonoticethatabuseof ayoungpersonissuspected of takingplaceoutside the rugby environment.If this isthecaseitwillbedealtwithasfollows:

ensure thesafety of theyoungperson. If he/sherequiresimmediate treatment,callan ambulance,inform doctorsof concernsandensure theyare awarethat thisaChildProtectionissue.Ifayoungpersonistaken tohospital SocialServicesmustbeinformed immediately.

RFU proceduresshouldthen befollowed:

 Report concerns totheERUFC SafeguardingOfficer.

ERUFC SafeguardingOfficer willseek advicefrom the Cambridgeshire RFUSafeguarding Manager, Eastern Counties SafeguardingManager,RFU Safeguarding teamor NSPCC Helpline0808800

5000.

 Ifthere isany delayin receivingadvicecontactmustbemade withSocial

Services.

 Ifaformalreferralismade,makeitcleartoSocialServices/Policethatthisisa

ChildProtectionreferral.

All police forces havededicatedChildAbuseInvestigationTeams(CAITs)which dealwithallegations ofabusewithin thefamilysettingandby peoplein positions of trust. If youbelievethat achildisinimmediatedangerorhascome tophysicalharm, dial999.

 Parents/carersshould only becontacted followingadvicefromPoliceorSocial

Services.

Non-actionisnotanoption. Thewelfare of theyoungpersonisparamount toevery other consideration. Delay in actingcan increasetherisk totheyoungperson.

GeneralAdvice

Inallcasespleasealways remember thefollowing:

Itisoftenmoredifficult forsomeyoungpeopletodiscloseabuse than others.Previous experiencesof prejudicemaylead themtobelievethat thoseinauthoritydonot really care about theirwellbeing.Disabled youngpeoplemay havetoovercome additionalbarriers beforefeelingthatthey candiscloseabuse. Theymayrely ontheabuser fortheirdaily care andnotknow ofalternativesourcesofcare. Theabusemaybetheonlyattention/affection theyhaveexperienced. There may be communication differencesand theywillalmost certainlyhavetoovercomeprejudiceswhichblock ourwillingnesstobelievetheymaybe

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abusedor to usetheirmedicalconditiontoexplainaway indicatorswhichinan ablebodied youngpersonwouldconcernus.

Thesegroups of peopleneedustobeextravigilantand togivethoughtastohow wewill respond.

Informationshouldbe handledanddisseminated onaneed-to-knowbasisonly,following advice fromsocialservices/police.Thismayincludethefollowingpeople:

 TheERUFC Safeguarding Officer

 TheCambridgeshire RFU SafeguardingManager

 TheEastern Counties RFU Safeguarding Manager

 Designated OfficerswithintheRFU

 Parents/carersof theyoungpersonalleged tohave beenabused.

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SECTIONFOUR

Policy and Procedure onAppropriateBehaviour

There are many instances where behaviourmayclearly not becategorisedasabuse,but whereparents, orsupporters,ormembersare unhappywiththeattitudeorconduct of anotherparent,memberorcoach.Pleasediscussthis,inthefirstinstance, withtheERUFC Safeguarding Officer. Pleaserememberweexpectthefollowingstandards ofbehaviour fromall membersandassociatesofERUFC.

recognisetheimportanceof funandenjoyment whenofficiating,coachingor supportingyoungplayers.

 provideverbalfeedbackinapositiveway duringgames.

 appreciatetheneedsof theplayers.

 beapositiverolemodel.

 recognisethatsafetyisparamount.

 explain decisions- mostyoungplayersarestilllearning.

 nevertolerateverbalabuse.

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SECTIONFIVE

ProhibitedPractices andPositionsof Trust

TheRFUhaveamandatory policy whichoutlines thepracticeswhichare prohibited and theirexpectationsof thosewhoareplacedina position ofTrust.ERUFC fully endorses the RFU policiesinthisregard,andtheyare reproduced below.

Coaches,managersorvolunteersincluding allprofessionalstaff mustnever:

a)Takeyoungpeople totheirownhomeoranyotherplacewhere theywillbe alonewiththem;

b) Spendany amountof timealonewithyoungpeopleawayfromothers;

c) Takeyoungpeoplealoneoncarjourneys,howevershort;

d)Ifit should arise thatsuchsituations areunavoidabletheyshould onlytake placewith thefull knowledgeand consent of someoneinchargeinthe governingbody and/orapersonwithparentalresponsibilityfor theyoung person.Inexceptionalcircumstanceswhere acoach,managerorvolunteer cannot obtainthe consent of thesomeonein chargein aclub/governingbody and/orpersonwithparentalresponsibilityfortheyoungpersonthen ifitis in the welfare interestof theyoungperson,paragraphs (a) and(c) donot have to befollowed.Ifthisoccurs theadult mustrecord theoccurrence withthe governingbody welfareofficer.

e)Engageinrough,physicalgames, sexually provocativegamesorhorseplaywith children/youngpeople;

f)Take partasa playerinany dynamiccontactgamesortrainingsessions with youngpeople.If there isa needforanadult tofacilitatelearningwithina coachingsessionthroughtheuseof coachingaids e.g. contactpads,thisshould bedonewith theutmost careandwithdueregardtothesafety of theyoung players;

g)Sharearoomwithayoung person unlesstheindividualistheparent/guardian of thatyoungperson;

h) Engageinany formofinappropriatesexualcontactand/orbehaviour;

i) Allow anyformof inappropriatetouching(seeGuidanceDocument,Appendix

4);

j) Makesexually suggestiveremarkstoayoungpersoneveninfun;

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k)Useinappropriatelanguageorallow youngpeople touseinappropriate language unchallenged;

l)Allow allegationsby ayoungpersontogo unchallenged,unrecorded ornot acted upon;

m)Dothings ofapersonal nature forayoungpersonthat theycan dofor themselvesunlessyouhave beenrequestedto dosoby theparents/carer;

n)Depart therugby Cluboragreedrendezvouspointuntil thesafedispersalofall youngpeopleiscomplete;

o)Causean individualtoloseself esteemby embarrassing,humiliatingor underminingtheindividual;

p) Treat someyoungpeoplemorefavourably thanothers;or

q) Agreetomeet ayoungpersonontheirownonaonetoonebasis.

Positionsof Trust

Alladults whowork withyoungpeopleare in aposition oftrust whichhas beeninvestedin thembytheparent,thesport andtheyoungperson. Thisrelationshipcanbedescribedas oneinwhich theadultisinaposition of powerandinfluenceby virtueof theirposition. Sexualintercourseortouching byan adultwithachild undertheageof 16 yearsisunlawful, evenwherethereisapparent consent fromthe child. A consensualsexualrelationship betweenanadultin aposition of trust withintherugby settingandachildover16 yearsof ageiscontraryto theRFU Safeguarding Policy .

Adults must not encourageaphysicaloremotionally dependentrelationship todevelop betweenthepersoninapositionof trustand theyoungpersonintheir care.

Allthosewithin theorganisationhavea dutytoraiseconcerns about thebehaviourof coaches,officials,volunteers,administratorsandprofessionalstaffwhichmay beharmfulto theyoungpeoplein theircare,without prejudiceto theirownposition.

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SECTIONSIX

Codesof Conduct

AppendixA

THE CLUB SAFEGUARDING OFFICER (CSO)

CODE OFCONDUCT

TheCSOwillbesubject toaDBScheck.

IftheCSOisa coachthenhe/shewillalsocomply withthe coachesCodeof

Conduct.

TheCSOwill ensure that theSafeguardingandProtectionof YoungPeoplepolicy isin forceandiscompliedwith,withintheERUFC.

TheCSOwillensure that allcoachescomply withcriteria for becomingaERUFC

coachandundergoallnecessary training.

TheCSOwill keeparecordof alldetailsrelatingtocoaches.

Uponreceiptofany formof complaint theCSOwillimmediatelycomply withthe criteriainthispolicy inrespectof investigatingandreportingtheincident.

TheCSOwill keeparecordof allcomplaints received,togetherwithdetailsof theinvestigationincludingtheoutcomeof theinvestigationandactiontaken.

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AppendixB THECOACHES

CODE OFCONDUCT

Any coachworkingwithyoungplayerswithin aRugbyFootballUnionsettingispart of a structurewithmany stakeholders,andassuch thecoachhasresponsibilities toallof them.

Thiscodehasbeen written toremindorinform coachesof thoseresponsibilitiesandthe minimumstandards of behaviour commensuratewithfulfillingthem.

Eachseasoneverycoachactiveinthesectionwillbecalledontowarrant that they have read,understoodandintendtoabideby thiscode.

Beawarethat theCodesofConductexist;readandunderstandthem.

BeawarethattheERUFCSafeguardingandYoungPersons Protection Policy exist;readand understandit.

Code of Conduct forCoaches

PLAYERS

Rugby isonly part of theirlives,recognisethisandallow foritonyourdemandson them.

 Treat games againstotherclubsaslessons, opportunitiestolearn,not asa test.

 Shareyourtimeandgame timeequally withfellow players.

Neverridiculeorbelittleany player.Todo thiswould beconsideredasemotional abuse.Makeeveryplayer feelvalued.

 Takean interestin eachplayer. Know alittleabout his/her familyandotherinterests.

Beabletospotchangesintheirbehaviour.

 Find out thefactsaboutyoungpeople’sdevelopment and the physical,intellectualand

emotionalcapabilitiesoftheagegroup that you work with.

RUGBYUNION

Rugby isapotentiallydangerousgame,whichrelies uponeveryplayerhavingmutual respect.Teachtheplayersyouwork withthemeaningof fairplay andsetthemagood example.

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Rugby works best whensidesare evenly matched. Trytoavoidmismatch,especially duringtrainingsessions.

 Learn thelaws andhow toreferee.

 Teachplayersby yourownexampletorespect thereferee.

COACHING

When youcallyourselfacoachyouapply tojoin theelite, when others callyoua coachyouhaveachievedmembership. Behaveasyouwouldexpecta coachshould.

 Always look likeacoach,always actlikeacoach.

 Start andfinishontime.

 Planyoursessions andplanyourseason.

 Donot drink alcoholbeforeor duringyour coaching.

 Nevergivealcoholto those notoldenoughtodrink it by law.

 Donot smokewhencoaching.

 Neverignorebadcoaching practiceor behaviour.

 Keepuptodate withcurrent coachingpracticesandlaw.

Beawarethat you areresponsibleforthe playersyouwork with,sodon’tallow playerstoplay onaninjury. Refer themtoadoctororsports injury clinic. Head coachesshould logandrecordallinjuriessustainedinERUFC activities.

Ensure thesafety of theyoungpeopleyouarecoachingby makingsurethattheyhave the correct safety equipment andadequateclothingfor theconditions. To failto do thiscould be consideredas neglect or physicalabuse.

Ensuresafetyby teaching thecorrecttechniques;ensuretheplayingareais safeand freefromglass, woodandothersuchnuisances.Ensure theequipment usedisin order.

DONOTPUTYOURSELF INAPOSITIONWHEREYOU COULDBESUSPECTED OF VERBAL,PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL ABUSE WITHANYYOUNGPERSON.

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AppendixC THEPLAYER

CODE OFCONDUCT

Code of Conduct forPlayers

 Learn the laws ofthegameandalways play withinthelaws.

 Learn toplaythegamesafely.

Respect the coaches,thereferees,youropponents, yourteammates,andany spectators.

 Turn upfortraining,prepared, ontimeand witha positiveattitude.

 Wearsuitablekit fortrainingandmatchsessions,asagreedwiththeCoach/Manager.

 Rugby isateamgame,beamemberofthe whole team.

 Donot bully anyof yourteammates.

Ifyouseeany bullyingbyyourteammatesoranyotherpersonreportit toyourcoach whoknows howtodealwithit.

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AppendixD

CARERS /HELPERS CODE OFCONDUCT

Carers/helpersshould beawareof theERUFC Safeguarding and Young Persons Protection Policyand theyshould readand understandit.

Carers/helpersshould notaccept bad practiceorunlawfulacts byanyperson. Suchacts shouldbereported immediately.

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AppendixE

PARENTS /SUPPORTERS CODE OFCONDUCT

Yourson/daughter hasentered thegameofrugby andassuchERUFC issurethatyouwill wanttosupport them. Howeverit mustneverbeforgottenthat thegameofrugby isfor the enjoyment of theplayers.

 Respectallplayers, coachesandofficials.

 Donot swearatany personpresent,duringtrainingorgames.

Donot givenegativecriticism,encourage,thegamewillimprovewith encouragement. It willnotwithcriticism.

Asa parentyoushouldbeaware thatERUFC hasaSafeguarding and Young Persons Protection Policy, and that it is availableforyoutoread both on our club noticeboard and on the ERUFC website. (If you would like to have a copy of this document, please contact the ERUFC Safeguarding Officer who will forward a copy to you). Should youbecomeawareof anybad practice towardsplayers,don’tignoreit. Report it.

Donot allow yourson/daughter toplay onaninjury anddonot forcehim/her totake part insport.

Assistyourson/daughtertolearnthelaws of thegameandencouragethem to play withinthelaws of thegame.

Ensure that yourson/daughter hasadequate clothingandequipment to play thegamesafely.

 Nevergivealcoholtothose notoldenoughtodrink it by law.

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SECTIONSEVEN

UsefulInformation

Ely RUFC Safeguarding Officerdetails:

Serena Storey 01638 781008

Cambridgeshire RFUSafeguarding Managercontactdetails:

James Pepper 07761 050874

Email

Eestern Counties RFU SafeguardingManagercontactdetails:

TBC (Please see Eastern Counties RFU websiste for confirmation)

Police Contactnumber:999

The RFU Safeguarding Helpline 0208 8316655

NSPCC Helpline0808 800 5000

Child Protection in Sport Unit0116 234 7278

Noteinthe case wherecontactisto be made withSocialServicesitisadvisable that contactismadewiththe Police,asthisiseasier andtheywillbe able tocontactthe requiredagency.

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