Safeguarding

South Wales Jets Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures

  1. South Wales Jets Rugby League Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to its care. We are committed to working to provide a safe environment for all members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any Rugby League activity. We subscribe to the WRL Safeguarding Policy statement contained in that document.
  2. The key principles of the WRL Safeguarding Policy are that:
  • The child’s welfare is, and must always be the paramount consideration
  • All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse, regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, faith or belief
  • All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
  • Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents/carers is essential We acknowledge that every child or young person who plays or participates in Rugby League should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse. South Wales Jets Rugby Rugby League Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.
  1. South Wales Jets Rugby Rugby League Club has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual, or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. It is noted and accepted that the WRL Safeguarding Children Policy applies to everyone in Rugby League, whether in a voluntary or paid capacity. This means whether you are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, coach, club official, medical or first aid staff or a spectator.
  2. We endorse and adopt the RFL Safer Recruitment Guidelines for recruiting volunteers and we will:
  • Specify what the role is and what tasks it involves.
  • Request identification documents.
  • As a minimum, meet and chat with the applicant and where possible interview them before appointing them.
  • Ask for and follow up with two references before appointing someone.
  • Where eligible require a WRL enhanced DBS. All current South Wales Jets Rugby League Club members working in eligible roles, with children and young people must hold a current WRL enhanced DBS as part of responsible recruitment practice. If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of the club, guidance will be sought from the WRL Safeguarding Team. It is accepted that the WRL aims to prevent people with a history of relevant and significant offending from having contact with children or young people and the opportunity to influence policies or practices with children and young people. This is to minimise the risk of direct sexual or physical harm to children and the risk of grooming within Rugby League.
  1. South Wales Jets Rugby League Club supports the WRL Whistle Blowing Policy. The WRL is determined to ensure that the culture of the sport is one in which it is safe, acceptable and gives confidence to those involved in rugby league to raise concerns about unacceptable practice and misconduct. In order to achieve this, the WRL has a Whistle Blowing Policy which can be found on the WRL Website. The RFL/WRL rules make it an offence to harass or victimise a whistle blower.
  2. South Wales Jets Rugby league Club has appointed a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in line with requirements of the WRL Safeguarding Children Policy. This CWO will take part in all training required for this post and will take up any ongoing CPD as determined by the WRL. The CWO is the first point of contact for all club members regarding concerns about the welfare of any child or young person. The CWO will be trained on the procedures for referring concerns and will liaise directly with the WRL Safeguarding Manager. They will also be proactive in increasing awareness of Respect, poor practice, touchline behaviour and abuse amongst club members.
  3. We acknowledge and endorse the WRL/RFL’s identification of bullying as a category of abuse. Bullying of any kind (this includes cyber bullying) is not acceptable at our club and we will take a stance of zero tolerance. If bullying does occur, all players and or parents/carers should be able to report and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the CWO and in cases of serious bullying the WRL Safeguarding Manager will be contacted.
  4. All club members have signed codes of conduct. The club will take action against repeated or serious misconduct at club level and acknowledge the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by the club or the WRL Safeguarding Case Management Group.
  5. Reporting concerns about the welfare of a child or young person is everyone’s responsibility. If you are worried about a child, it is important that you report your concerns – no action is not an option. (i)If you are worried about a child then you need to report to the Club Welfare Officer. (ii) If the issue is of poor practice the CWO will either:
  • Deal with the matter themselves.
  • Seek advice from the WRL Safeguarding Manager

iii. If the concern is more serious – possible child abuse, where possible contact the CWO first, then immediately contact the Police or Children’s Social Care.

  1. If the child needs immediate medical treatment, take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them this is a child protection concern. Let your CWO know what action you have taken, they in turn will inform the WRL Safeguarding Manager v. If at any time, you are not able to contact your CWO or the matter is clearly serious you can either:
  • Contact the WRL Safeguarding Manager (details below)
  • Contact the Police or Children’s Social Care
  • Call the NSPCC Helpline for advice (0808 800 5000). NB: The WRL Safeguarding Policy and Procedures are available on the WRL Website. Please go to Child Welfare and click on Safeguarding Children. The Safeguarding policy can be found under Parents and Carers, CWOs and Coaches and Volunteers section.
  1. Further advice and guidance on safeguarding children matters can be obtained from:

CONTACT DETAILS:

Nick Tucker 07429 569430 safeguarding@jetsrugby.wales

WRL SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS:

WRL Lead Safeguarding Officer – Stephen Jones

Email: stephen.jones@walesrugbyleague.co.uk

Mobile 07955 365165