1.Fleetwood Rugby Football Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults involved in Fleetwood RUFC from harm.

2.Fleetwood RUFC 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 player is playing in the adult game it is essential that every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure his safety and wellbeing are protected.

4.The Key Principles of the RFU Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults Policy are that:
•The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult (as appropriate) 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 and young people.

•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.Fleetwood RUFC 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. Fleetwood RUFC recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.

6.Fleetwood RUFC will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators and Officials as appropriate. Fleetwood RUFC will ensure its spectators, parents, members and officials are all aware of and have accepted the club Photographic Policy as set out in the club welcome pack and on the website.

7.Fleetwood RUFC will endeavour to comply with the Guidance for Websites as set out on the RFU website and appendixed to this document.

8.The club safeguarding contacts are –

Tracy Smith
Mini Safeguarding
E: tracy_smith@btinternet.com
T: 07967 034 596

Rae Thwaite
Junior/Colts Safeguarding
E: raethwaite@googlemail.com
T: 07305 646 076

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 safeguarding. They will then inform the CB Safeguarding Manager and the RFU Safeguarding Team. If an incident involves the Safeguarding Team, you should inform the Director of the Mini/Junior Section and either the CB Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Team.

9.All members of Fleetwood RUFC who work with children in Regulated Activity must undertake an RFU Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with RFU Regulation 21.

10.Fleetwood RUFC 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 the club and may result in disciplinary action being taken by the club, the CB or the RFU:
•Working alone with a child, children, vulnerable adult, or adults.
•Consuming alcohol whilst responsible for children or vulnerable adults.
•Providing alcohol to children or allowing its supply.
•Smoking in the presence of children.
•Humiliating children or vulnerable adults.
•Inappropriate or unnecessary physical contact with a child or vulnerable adult. •Participating in, or allowing, contact or physical games with children or vulnerable adults.
•Having an intimate or sexual relationship with any child or vulnerable adult developed as a result of being in a ‘position of trust.’
•Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material.

11.Fleetwood RUFC 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. Fleetwood RUFC ensures that all its coaches, parents, officials and spectators are aware that adults must not change at the same time, using the same facilities as children or vulnerable adults.

12.Fleetwood RUFC will ensure that its coaches [and team managers] will receive the support and training considered appropriate to their position and role. The RFU “Managing Challenging Behaviour” Policy has been adopted and circulated amongst the club workforce both, voluntary and paid.

13.Any events held on Fleetwood RUFC premises must comply with this Policy and if appropriate a Safeguarding Plan should be discussed and circulated to those affected. Any tours, overseas or domestic, undertaken by Fleetwood RUFC must comply with the relevant RFU Regulations and Guidance relating to tours.