Safeguarding Policy
1. Aldeburgh Rugby Club (“ARC”) acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of any children and vulnerable adults from harm who are involved with the Club.
2. ARC confirms that it adheres to the Rugby Football Union’s Safeguarding Policy and procedures, practices and guidelines and endorses and adopts the Policy Statement contained in that document.
3. A child is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any rugby union activity. However, where a 17-year-oldplayer is playing in the adult game it is essential that every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure that
their safety and wellbeing are protected.
4. The Key Principles of the RFU Safeguarding Policy state that:
-
The welfare of a child\vulnerable adult 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. All allegations or suspicions of abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately.
5. ARC recognises that all children and vulnerable adults 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. ARC recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.
6. ARC will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators and Officials as appropriate.
7. If you witness or are aware of an incident where the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult has been put at risk you must in the first instance, inform the Club Safeguarding Officer. They will then inform the CB Safeguarding
Manager and the RFU Safeguarding Team. If an incident involves the Club Safeguarding Officer you should inform the club chairman and either the Eastern Counties Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding
Team.
8. All members of ARC who work with children, u18’s or vulnerable adults in Regulated Activity must undertake an RFU Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with RFU Regulation 21.
9. ARC 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.
10. ARC manages the changing facility use at the Community Centre and will arrange for them to be supervised by appropriate DBS checked adults of the appropriate gender for players where necessary. ARC ensures thatall its coaches, parents, officials and spectators are aware that U18’s must not change at the same time as adults.
11. ARC will ensure that its coaches will receive the support and training considered appropriate to their positionand role.
12. The Aldeburgh Rugby Club Facebook page is monitored by an appropriately vetted club official.
13. Anyone wishing to take photographs or videos whether during training, a game or after should have permission from all involved. The exception is the official club photographer who will be at the club and sometimes at away games in an official capacity. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let the Safeguarding Officer know.
Please contact the Safeguarding Officer if you have any questions. Any concerns must be made immediately tothe Safeguarding Officer or in the Safeguarding Officers absence, the Club Chairman.
This policy was adopted by the Committee of Aldeburgh Rugby Club on 8th November 2023 and will be reviewed and updated annually.
A copy of this safeguarding policy is displayed on the Club Noticeboard.