Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding in Berkshire’s Rugby Clubs

Berkshire RFU acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children involved in rugby at our member clubs, and confirms that it adheres to all the RFU’s Safeguarding Policies and procedures, recommended practices and guidelines and furthermore endorse and adopt the statements contained in those documents

Constituent Body Safeguarding Manager (CBSM) – Laura Lewis

Maidenhead RFC Safeguarding

All club members must adhere to the relevant RFU Codes of Conduct:

Coaches Codes – Players Code of Conduct – Spectators Code of Conduct – Parents Code of Conduct – Officials Code of Conduct

General Behaviour

In Rugby Union, players are impressionable and their behaviour will often reflect that of the adults around them. At Maidenhead we welcome spectators on our touchlines who embrace the ethos of the game as one of FUN, ENJOYMENT and SKILL DEVELOPMENT.

In Rugby Union the following behaviours are encouraged:

Act as positive role models to all young players – be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Codes of Conduct in relation to verbal and emotional abuse – Respect the Rugby Club policy with regard to spectator behaviour.

Finally please remember all young people play for FUN and the Love of the Game. Let us all encourage them to achieve that by adopting a positive attitude at all times.

1. Maidenhead Rugby Football Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children involved in Maidenhead RFC from harm.
2. Maidenhead RFC confirms that it adheres to the Rugby Football Union’s Safeguarding Policy and the procedures, practices and guidelines and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document and any successor policy.
3. A child is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any rugby union activity. However, where a 17 year old male or female player is playing in the adult game it is essential that every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure his/her safety and wellbeing are protected.
4. The Key Principles of the RFU Safeguarding Policy are that:

• The welfare of the 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 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 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.

5. Maidenhead RFC 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. Maidenhead RFC recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.
6. Maidenhead RFC will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators and Officials as appropriate.
7. The Club Safeguarding Officer is Karl Roberts [email protected] . If you witness or are aware of an incident where the welfare of a child 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 Chairman – [email protected] and either the CB Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Team.