ILKESTON RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

 PRINCIPLES STATEMENT

  • The young player's welfare is paramount
  • All young players, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protecton from abuse.
  • All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
  • Anyone under the age of 18 years should be considered as a young player for the purposes of this document.


Working in partnership with young players and their parents/guardians is essential for the protection of young players.  The members of the RFU, RFUW and Ilkeston Rugby Football Union Club recognise the statutory responsibility of the Social Services Department to ensure the welfare of children and are committed to working together with local Area Child Protection Committees (ACPC) and to complying with their procedures.

As a club, IRUFC will promote 'fair play' and always play within the spirit of the game, adhering to laws of the game and those written in the RFU continuum.

PROMOTING GOOD PARACTICE WITHIN THE RUGBY CLUB ENVIRONMENT

• DATA PROTECTION

Information collected by the RFU/RFUW, or by affiliated clubs on behalf of the Governing Body, with particular reference to personal details relating to young rugby players, is subject to the Data Protection Act.

IRUFC will keep written records of registration, attendance, accidents and parental consent, at all times fully complying with the Data Protection Act.


• RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION OF STAFF, COACHES AND VOLUNTEERS

Anyone may have the potential to abuse children in some way and it is important that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that unsuitable people are prevented from working with children.  It is essential the same procedure is used consistently throughout the game.

The RFU/RFUW recommend that when undertaking pre-selection checks clubs should adopt the following  procedure:

  • All coaches will attend a Mini/Midi Coaching Rugby Union Course before they begin working with children. They may assist in coaching under the supervision of a qualified coach.
  • All coaches, volunteers and club members and club members who are in contact with young players should complete a membership application and self-declaration form.
  • Application forms should be designed to elicit information about an applicant's past career (including any gaps), and to establish any criminal record.  Failure to disclose information will result in exclusion from the club or organisation.
  • Consent must be obtained from applicants for Police and Social Services checks.
  • Where it is deemed appropriate, at least two references should be taken up, including at least one regarding previous work with children.
  • Clubs should have effective measures in place to ensure the information received in relation to applicants is treated inthe strictest confidence.
  • All IRUFC coaches will be given a copy of the RFU's "Code of Conduct for Coaches" and will expected to adhere to these guidelines at all times.

The RFU/RFUW and IRUFC reserve the right ot pursue Police and Social Services checks.

• POLICY AND PROCEDURE

To help prevent abuse of children the club or organisation should have a policy which ensures that children are protected and kept safe from harm.  Everyone involved in the care of children should be aware of the procedures if there are concerns about abuse.

All coaches and parents will be provided with a procedure for dealing with accusations or suspicions of child abuse.  A Child Protection Officer will be appointed, whose role will be to deal with any concerns about physical, sexual or emotional abuse within the Club.

All parents will be advised of the procedure to follow if they wish to raise concerns or make accusations of child abuse.

• TRAINING

It should be clearly recognised that checks are only part of the process to protect children from possible abuse by club members. These must be operated in conjunction with appropriate training of staff, coaches and volunteers so that they are aware of and sensitive to possible situations of abuse.

The club will encourage and assist coaches to keep up-to-date with rugby, coaching and child protection issues.  Each coach will attend a Child Protection Workshop.

• SUPERVISION

Coaches, volunteers and club members should be sensitive to any concerns about abuse, and act on them at an early stage.  They should also offer appropriate support to those who report concerns.

• COMPLAINTS

The Club Committee must ensure that there is a well established complaints procedure in operation and that parents and their children have the relevant information that will allow easy access to this procedure.

Good practice will reduce situations for the abuse of children and help to protect staff and volunteers.

DATED: JULY 11th 2005