Cinderford RFC believes that the safety of children and vulnerable adults is a fundamental value of our game and has adopted the RFU Safeguarding Policy. For that policy please follow the link below;
https://www.englandrugby.com/governance/safeguarding
Cinderford RFC wants to help all players of whatever age, standard or ability to achieve their full potential. By enabling this we aim to promote and develop rugby within the community and encourage participation and enjoyment at all levels.
Cinderford RFC Safeguarding Policy
Cinderford RFC acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults involved in the club. Where the words Child or Children are used the meaning also applies to vulnerable adults.
Cinderford RFC confirms that it adheres to the RFU’s Safeguarding Policy and its procedures, practices and guidelines. We endorse and adopt the policy statement contained in that document.
All safeguarding concerns will be reported to the Gloucestershire RFU Safeguarding department for action.
For these purposes a child is deemed to be anyone under the age of 18 years who is engaged in any rugby union activity. Where a 17 year old player is playing in the adult game the club strictly abides by the appropriate RFU guidelines to ensure his or her protection and wellbeing.
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, language or sexual identity have a right to protection from abuse or harm.
• All allegations or suspicions of abuse, neglect, harm or bad 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 support and help with personal and social development from an appropriately recruited, vetted and managed individual whether they are playing, volunteering or officiating in all areas of the sport.
• Cinderford RFC recognises that facilitating the above aims is the responsibility of everyone involved with the club.
• The club will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and its Codes of Conduct for Coaches, officials and spectators.
• The club Safeguarding Officer is Deanna Bishop: 07930 079175 deannagreenhorn@hotmail.com.
If you witness or are aware of an incident where the welfare of a child has been put at risk you should, in the first instance, inform the Club Safeguarding Officer.
If an incident involves a safeguarding officer please inform the Mini & Junior club Chair, Darrell Peters , 07795680981 Darrellpeters@btinternet.com or the Club Chair Martyn Walby 07979 842959 MW167rugby@gmail.com
• All club members who work with children in a Regulated Activity must undertake an RFU Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with RFU Regulation 21 and submit an application within four weeks of taking up their role. Failure to do so will result in their being removed from that role.
• Cinderford RFC will ensure that all its members, whether coaches, parent, players or officials shall comply with Best practice Guidance as issued by the RFU. The following are not acceptable and may result in disciplinary action by the club, the Constituent Body (GRFU) 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 as a result of being in a ‘position of trust’.
• Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material.
• Adults are not allowed to be in the changing rooms when they are in use by young players unless the adults hold a DBS certificate. The club will make sure that all its coaches, officials, parents and spectators know that adults must not change or use the same facilities at the same time as children.
• Cinderford RFC will ensure that coaches and administrators receive the appropriate support and training for their role.
• Any events on club premises or tours undertaken by teams must comply with the appropriate RFU Regulations and Guidance notes.
• All allegations of bullying between children should be reported to the Club Safeguarding Officer(s) who will liaise with parents to provide ameliorative action.
(This document was amended 7th October 2024)
If you have any questions regarding Cinderford RFC’s safeguarding policy please do not hesitate to contact our safeguarding officer; Deanna Bishop
Mob: 07930 079175 or Email: deannagreenhorn@hotmail.com