St Ives RFC
Alexandra Road  St Ives  Cornwall
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St. Ives Rugby Football Club Child Protection Policy

This document covers the St. Ives Rugby Football Clubs Policy in relation to Child Protection procedures and for the purposes of this document a child is any person under the age of 18.

Policy Statement.  

The St. Ives Rugby 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 the St. Ives Rugby Club mini-junior section committee and coaches request that all parents/guardians support all the children equally regardless of background and ability, and encourage high standards of behaviour on and off the rugby field.
The St. Ives Rugby Club mini-junior section committee and coaches in conjunction with all parents/guardians will endeavour to provide an enjoyable environment for all children to develop their sporting and social skills.

THE ROLE OF THE CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER

The designated Child Protection Officer for St. Ives Rugby Football Club will be appointed by the committee. He/she shall have the appropriate training in Child Protection Issues and be contactable for advice at all times. This officer will have the following role:

Ensure that the guidelines in this policy are adhered to.
 
Physically deal with the initial stages of abuse disclosure and advise those who find themselves in that position.

Record their own conversations with the child to whom the disclosure refers or the person informing them of such a disclosure.

Make contact with the relevant Social Services Department or the Police and liaise concerning the full facts and the details of all involved.

Ensure that the parent/guardian/carer have a contact with the SSD or the Police.

Heighten the awareness of Child Protection issues to the staff, committee and members of the St. Ives Rugby Club.

ST. IVES RFC CODE OF CONDUCT

COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

Coaches of St. Ives RFC will consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.

Coaches at St. Ives RFC will endeavour to provide an enjoyable environment for children to develop their sporting skills.

 Coaches will place the safety and the welfare of the child/young person above the development of performance.

Coaches will be reasonable in their demands on young players' time, energy and enthusiasm, remembering that they have other interests.

Coaches will continuously promote the positive aspects of Rugby Union (e.g. fair play) and never condone rule violation and bad behaviour.

Coaches should avoid over-playing the talented players. The "just average" players need and deserve equal time.

Children play for fun, winning is only part of it. Provide positive encouragement for self-development.

Coaches will follow the advice of a doctor concerning injuries and ensure a qualified first aider is always present for training and fixtures.

Coaches should aim to gain respect by being generous with their praise when it is deserved. Aim to set this as an example.

Coaches who use abusive language directed at a child or child's action could

constitute psychological or verbal abuse, which St. Ives Rugby Football club will not tolerate.

Coaches may consider rewards for sportsmanship and good behaviour (for both players and parents) to be awarded at Mini-Rugby festivals.

Coaches should avoid mis-matches, it does not help the children competing on either team.

Recruitment of Coaches

All appointments will be for a fixed term but will be subject to review and can be terminated by the mini-junior section committee. (subject to any complaints/disciplinary meeting.)

All coaches will be appointed in consultation with the mini-junior section committee.

A1l coaches will be members of St. Ives Rugby Football Club and will complete an application /self-declaration form on the understanding that he/she may be subject to Police/Social Services checks.

All coaches will have or be working towards the RFU Preliminary Award before they can become Head Coach of any age group.

All coaches will have a basic knowledge of current first aid procedures.

All coaches will have an understanding of the St. Ives Rugby Club child protection procedures and will comply with them should a complaint be forthcoming.

PARENTS' I GUARDIANS' RESPONSIBILITY.

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 accept any responsibility for your child 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 a contact number if necessary).

Ensure that your child has sufficient clothing that is appropriate for rugby training in cold or wet weather.

Ensure that your child has a drink (squash or water) with him/her at training/matches.

Consider the use of gum-shields and other protective clothing for your child. Your child's coach can advise you on this subject.

Get to know your child's coach.

Always ensure that you are on time to collect your child after training sessions/matches. (The coach will always advise you of the relevant times when training finishes and the return time from away matches).

If you have any concerns please contact your child's coach or the St. Ives Rugby Club Child Protection Officer.



PARENTS/SPECTATORS CODE OF CONDUCT

Do not force or cajole an unwilling child to participate in Rugby.

Teach your child to understand the need to play by the laws of the game.

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.

Respect all referees. Do not abuse them yourself by publicly questioning their honesty or decision making.

Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake. Offer positive support and encouragement.

Applaud good play by both teams, do not shout continuously. This will not psychologically assist the children, or enhance their performance.

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 be construed as both verbal and psychological abuse. St. Ives Rugby Football Club will not tolerate this action.

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' team.

Treat all other players as you would wish to be treated. Do not interfere, bully or take unfair advantage of 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.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

On receipt of a complaint all coaches must strictly follow all guidelines as laid out in the St. Ives RFC Child Protection Policy.  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 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 must always remain paramount.

Consideration should be given to what support may be appropriate to 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 St. Ives 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 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.

DISCLOSURE OF ABUSE

It is vital that the correct procedures are adhered to if any child discloses a form of abuse to a representative of St. Ives Rugby Football Club.  The manner of. questioning the child or recording what has been said by the child will be hugely significant to any future prosecution of the offending person.

THE FOLLOWING ARE GUIDELINES THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED IF POSSIBLE WHEN A FORM OF ABUSE IS BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION.

Ensure the following is completed:

Listen to the child; make sure they know that you are listening to them, that you understand them and that you are taking their allegation seriously.

Reassure the child that they are not to blame and that their allegation will be reported and that positive action will be taken.

Only allow one adult to talk to the child to listen and establish the circumstances.  More than one person involved may lead to discrepancies in statements that may later be required and will cause legal problems and unnecessary stress for the child and the family.

Ascertain the briefest of details concerning the complaint by the use of non leading questions.  Do not ask any further questions. Record your findings as soon as possible (there may be designated forms available).

Consult with your Child Protection Officer at the earliest available time.  This person should be available for advice at any time during disclosure.

Consult with the designated contacts recorded in this policy if the Child Protection Officer is the subject of the allegation or is not contactable.

Ensure that there is complete confidentiality.  This means no other discussion. Any queries or other matters you should direct to the Child Protection Officer.

Ensure that you never confront the alleged offender.  That is the responsibility of the Police or the Social Services. In doing so you will hinder a possible arrest and prosecution.