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Frome Rugby Club
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Child Welfare Policy
This policy has been prepared to advise the club in its duty of care it has towards players under the age of 18 and for all coaches and volunteers working for the club. Frome Rugby Football Club min-junior section committee recognise that this policy is important. Not only for the protection of players rights and wellbeing within the context of the game of rugby, but also to inform, and to protect the club and its volunteers from allegations of abuse. Contents Club Statement Guidelines for Good Practice Always plan your sessions, where possible plan a block of sessions so that there is some progression, however be prepared to adapt a plan mid-session or change a session after post match review. Remember that all children will learn at different rates and in different ways. Be prepared to adapt your session accordingly. Always be publicly open when working with children. Avoid situations where you as an individual are completely unobserved. Rugby is a physical game. Situations will occur when, in order to teach or coach certain techniques, it is necessary to make contact with a player. If this is the case, tell the player beforehand and ask them if they have any objections. Avoid spending time alone with players. Do not take children alone on car journeys, however short the journey. Never take children to your home. If a child is attending training or a match, remember that, the child is your responsibility and that you have a duty of care for them. Be aware of weather conditions and that the players are children and may not be as tolerant to the weather conditions as you. If you have a disruptive player, speak to the child and adapt the session to their needs (remember that children learn at different rates). If there is more that one coach available a little one to one coaching within the session may be all the child needs. If the child continues to be disruptive speak to the parents or guardian. Always look for the positive aspect in a child's play. Avoid making negative comments in front of the group. Think player safety at all times. Facilities, Equipment and training. FROME RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB This document covers the Frome Rugby Football Club's policy in relation to child protection procedures and for the person of this document a child or player is any person under the age of 18.
The Frome Rugby Football Club mini-junior section committee and coaches will endeavour to provide a safe coaching environment for all children, respecting all children's rights, dignity and worth regardless of background or ability and each coach will place the welfare and safety of the child above the development of performance. In return Frome Rugby Football Club request that all parents/guardians support all the children equally regardless of background or ability, and encourage high standards of behaviour on and off the rugby field. The Frome Rugby Football Club mini-junior section committee and coaches in conjunction with parents/guardians will endeavour to provide an enjoyable environment for all children to develop their sporting and social skills. The Role of the Child Welfare Officer To act as a point of contact in all issues relating to the welfare of young people and to ensure all appropriate documentation and forms are completed in accordance with RFU policy and procedures for the welfare of young people under the age of 18 in rugby. FROME RUGBY CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT Coaches Code of Conduct Frome Rugby Football Club will ensure that all coaches and helpers will have CRB clearance. All coaches will be expected to hold a register of attendance for each training session and match throughout the season. Frome RFC coaches will display high standards of behaviour and appearance at all times. Frome RFC coaches will endeavour to provide an enjoyable environment for children to develop their sporting skills. Coaches will place the safety and welfare of young players above the development of performance. Injury advice notes will be sent home with a player when necessary. Frome RFC coaches will be reasonable in their demands on player's time, energy and enthusiasm, remembering that they have other interests and may well have played for their school during the week. Coaches will continuously promote the positive aspects of the game (e.g. Fair Play), and never condone rule violation and behaviour. Coaches should avoid overplaying talented players. All players deserve the chance to play. Remember that children play for fun and that winning is only part of the game. Ensure that contact skills are taught in a safe and secure manner paying due regard to the physical development of the young player. Never allow players to train or play when they are injured Ensure that all equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to
the age and abilities of the players. Coaches should always ensure that the activities which they direct or advocate are appropriate to the age, maturity and ability. Coaches should never criticise players or use language or actions which may cause the player to lose self-esteem or confidence. All staff, coaches and officials should shower separately from young players. If groups are to be supervised in changing rooms, always ensure that adults work in pairs and that gender is appropriate. All coaches will remember at all times that they are a role model for all of the players in their charge. Parents/Guardians Responsibilities Always take your child to the training ground and ensure that his/her coach is present before you leave them. Do not drop them off outside the club, as the club does not any responsibility until they are in the care of the appointed coach. In the event of bad weather check with your child's coach to ensure that the training session/ match is still on. (The coach will provide you with contact details). Ensure that your child has sufficient clothing that is appropriate for rugby training in cold or wet weather. Consider the use of gum shields and other protective clothing for your child; their coach will be able to advise you on this matter. Get to know the child's coach. Always ensure that you are on time to collect your child after training/matches. Coaches cannot be responsible for individual children after 12.00pm. You are encouraged to attend matches and support your child. Your child will benefit from your support. If you have any concerns please contact your child's coach or Frome Rugby Football Club's child protection officer. Parents/Spectators Code of Conduct Do not force or cajole an unwilling child to participate in rugby. Instil in the children the value of coaching. Do not become involved in instructing your child during a training session or a fixture, on how to perform. This is the responsibility of the coaching staff only. Recognise the efforts and importance of the coaches and referees. They give freely of their time to provide rugby for children. Learn that children play rugby for fun, not to entertain you. Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake. Offer positive support and encouragement. Encourage honest effort; teach children that this is as important as victory. Set a good example to everyone else by your own behaviour. Foul or abusive language towards a child or towards any part of the game that children are involved in, will not be tolerated by Frome Rugby Football Club. It is the responsibility of all supporters to report to the committee any foul or abusive language or behaviour. Players' Code of Conduct Participate to enjoy and have fun playing rugby union, not just to please your parent(s) or coach. Play by the laws of the game. Accept all referees' decisions. Control your temper, both yourself and your team will benefit. Compete to the best of your ability and encourage your team mates to do the same. Be a good sport, recognise good play whether by your team or by your opponents. Treat all other players as you would wish to be treated. Do not interfere, bully or take unfair advantage to any other player. Remember as well as enjoyment, the aims of the game are to improve your skills and your knowledge of the way rugby union is played. Listen to your coach and do not be afraid to ask for advice or assistance. The coach or the committee will not tolerate players whose actions intentionally distract others.
The guidelines to these procedures are as follows: If an allegation is received alleging that a child has been abused by either a member of the club, coach or any other person this must be reported to the Child Protection Officer, who in turn will take steps as he/she considers necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and any other child who may be at risk. The Child Protection Officer will, after consultation with the chairman of the mini-junior committee refer the allegation to the Social Services Department who may involve the police. The parents or carers of the child will be contacted as soon as possible following the advice of the Social Services Department. The Child Protection Officer in consultation with a nominated committee member will between them decide who will deal with any media enquiries. If the Child Protection Officer is the subject of the allegation, the report must be made to the most senior member of the mini-junior committee. The Child Protection Officer, in consultation with the mini-junior committee chairman will make any decision as to whether any individual accused of abuse shall be temporarily suspended pending further police and social services enquiries. Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned and that the welfare of the child shall remain paramount. Consideration should be given as to what support may be appropriate to the children, their parents and members of the club involved. Where allegations are unfounded the club will work in a professional manner to ensure that the person concerned is given the appropriate support to continue his/her work at Frome RFC. If the allegation is about poor practice by a club coach then this can still be referred to the Child Protection Officer who will consult with the director of the rugby mini-junior committee. They will then decide how this will be dealt with and whether or not to initiate a formal course of action. This type of allegation will be dealt with as an internal club matter. 24/10/2004 |