Oxfordshire RFU Safeguarding policy 2024

 

Please click the link to download the document OXFORDSHIRE RFU SAFEGUARDING POLICY 2024 as a Word file.

 

  1. Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children involved in activities associated with Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union.

 

  1. Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union confirms that it adheres to the Rugby Football Unions Safeguarding Policy and the procedures, practices and guidelines and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document and any successor policy.

 

  1. A child is anyone under the age of eighteen engaged in any rugby union activity. However, where a 17-year-old player is playing in the adult game it is essential that every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure their safety and well being are protected. In the case of 17-year-olds being involved in the adult game, the appropriate paperwork must be in place and approved by the CB.

 

  1. The Key Principles of the RFU Safeguarding Policy are that:

 

  • The welfare of any 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, suspicions, or 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.

 

  1. Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union 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.
  2. Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators and Officials as appropriate.
  3. The Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union Safeguarding Manager is Jenny Bosley, Home: 01235 833688 Mobile: 07742 732014. If you witness or are aware of an incident where the welfare of a child and been put at risk you must, in the first instance, inform the Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding team.
  4. All members of Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union who work with children in Regulated Activity on behalf of the county must undertake an RFU Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with RFU Regulation 21.

 

 

  1. Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union 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 Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union and may result in disciplinary action being taken by 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 as a result or being in a ‘postion of trust’.
  • Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material.
  1. Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union 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. Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union ensures that all its coaches, parents, official and spectators are aware that adults must not change at the same time, using the same facilities as the children.
  2. Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union will ensure that its coaches and team managers will receive the support and training considered appropriate to their position and role.
  3. Any events held on behalf of Oxfordshire Rugby Union, must comply with this Policy and if appropriate a Safeguarding Plan should be discussed and circulated to those affected.

Signed:

 

Jenny Bosley

Safeguarding Manager

Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union

Date: August 2024