SAFEGUARDING

Cowbridge RFC wants to help all players of whatever age, standard or ability to achieve their full potential. By doing this we aim to promote and develop rugby within the community and encourage participation and enjoyment at all levels.

We follow the Welsh Rugby Union Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, which set out the standards, responsibilities, and processes for protecting all participants from harm. This policy applies to all players, coaches, volunteers, officials, parents, and anyone involved in club activities.

Cowbridge 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.

Cowbridge RFC confirms that it adheres to the WRU’s Safeguarding Policy and its procedures, practices and guidelines. We endorse and adopt the policy statement contained in that document:

WRU SAFEGUARDING POLICY PDF

For these purposes a child is deemed to be anyone under the age of 18 years who is engaged in any rugby union activity.

The key principles of the WRU 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.

• Cowbridge RFC recognises that facilitating the above aims is the responsibility of everyone involved with the club.

• The club will implement and comply with the WRU Code of Conduct and its Codes of Conduct for Coaches, officials and spectators.

• The club Safeguarding Officer is Sally Welsh: 07977 198656, salloyd27@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 Chairman , Chris Lawless, (0774 2345 044 / chris@haywards.ltd) or the Club Chairman John Griffiths (07821 727 869)

• All club members who work with children in a Regulated Activity must undertake an WRU Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check 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.

• Cowbridge RFC will ensure that all its members, whether coaches, parent, players or officials shall comply with Best practice Guidance as issued by the WRU. The following are not acceptable and may result in disciplinary action by the club, or the WRU.

• 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.

• Cowbridge 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 WRU 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.