Oxford Rugby Football Club

Established 1909

Child Protection Policy

Mini & Junior Section

Introduction

Oxford RFC believes that the welfare of all young people is paramount, and we recognise and accept our responsibility to safeguard and promote the interests and well being of young people. We are committed to ensure that young people*, whatever their age, gender, culture, ability, language, religious beliefs, racial origin, and/or sexual identity enjoy the game in a fun environment, safe from abuse of any kind, whilst participating in the sport and using the club facilities. We aim to deliver the highest possible standards of care in striving to meet this goal.

The Mini & Junior Section of Oxford RFC operates as an autonomous unit within the Club, with its own Committee responsible for running Rugby for all age groups from Under 7 up to and including Colts. The Child Protection Policy has been drawn up and approved by the Committee of this section as the accountable body within the Club.

Aims

  1. To ensure that all those involved in Oxford RFC recognise and understand their responsibility of safeguarding the children and young players’ welfare, and protecting them from physical, emotional or sexual harm and from neglect or bullying of any kind.
  2. To respect young peoples’ rights, reasonable wishes and feelings.
  3. Individuals working with young people will be made aware of good practice in order to ensure that they are not placed in situations where allegations could be made.
  4. To ensure that all coaches have appropriate qualifications for the tasks they undertake. This is the responsibility of the Coaching Co-ordinator.
  5. To ensure that each age group Lead Coach has the correct level of formal qualification for that age group.
  6. To ensure that all coaches have a clear understanding of their responsibilities both with respect of their coaching tasks, and with respect to their role in Child Protection.
  7. To encourage at least one coach from each age group undertake a formal Child Protection course.
  8. For all coaches to be encouraged to undertake additional appropriate training to assist in their development. (This to be identified by either the coach him/herself, or coaching co-ordinator, and mutually agreed).
  9. To ensure that all relevant members who have regular supervisory contact with children or a management responsibility for those working with young people undertake a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure. For the purposes of Oxford RFC this includes:
    All coaches; all committee members; adults who help regularly with coaching; volunteers in the kitchen; volunteers in the shop; club photographers; adults/parents taking on a role of responsibility travelling on tours with any of the Mini/Junior age groups. This list is not exhaustive, if in doubt ask the Child Welfare Officer.
  10. To keep formal written records of;
    Membership – Responsibility of Membership Secretary
    Attendance – Responsibility of lead coaches for individual age groups
    Parental Consent – Responsibility of Membership Secretary
    Disciplinary Actions – Responsibility of Child Welfare Officer
    Accidents – Responsibility of Child Welfare Officer
  11. To have and maintain Codes of Conduct covering the behavioural requirements for all;
    Coaches, Officials, Parents, Children and other members of the section.
    These Codes of Conduct are to be widely distributed, and available. Every player registered with the Club receives a new set of Codes of Conduct each season.
  12. To have a nominated ‘Child Welfare Officer’ readily contactable by any person, either adult or child, who has any concern whatsoever.
  13. To have written and visible procedures for dealing with suspicions or accusations which are accessible to anyone. This is available on the ORFC website.

*Young people – anyone under the age of 18years

Approved and accepted – ORFC Mini & Juniors Committee meeting 21.09.04

Child Welfare Officer - Amanda Jones