Safeguarding at Selby RUFC

Safeguarding refers to the measures in place to protect children and adults at risk from abuse or harm within the game. At Selby RUFC, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

The Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO) leads on all safeguarding matters and champions the safety and welfare of all children and adults at risk. Every member of Selby RUFC is expected to follow the safeguarding duties set out in the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Safeguarding Children Policy and Regulation 21.

Our Club Safeguarding Officer is Nikki Keep, supported by Assistant Safeguarding Officer Vanessa Taperell. They can be contacted via email at safeguarding@selbyrufc.com

What to do if you have a concern about child safety.

Everyone at Selby is deeply committed to the safeguarding of the young people in our squads.

Almost all of the coaching staff at Selby RUFC are volunteers and are all DBS checked in accordance with the RFU guidelines and have completed online safeguarding courses.
Spectators and parents/carers and children themselves may at times have a concern about something that they have seen or experienced that causes them to question whether it is right.

It is important at this stage that there is someone for them to talk to so issues can be rectified quickly rather than allowed to fester and grow, creating tension and anxiety.
The child safeguarding team are trained for just this purpose whilst at the same time recognising that it is most important not to create an atmosphere of over-reaction or suspicion.

All details regarding the R.F.U. policy on the safeguarding of young people is available from the RFU website or though this link RFU Safeguarding

If you have an immediate concern relating to the safety or welfare of a young person, please contact Nikki Keep email safeguarding@selbyrufc.com or you can complete the RFU safeguarding referral form HERE.

The RFU runs a 24-hour unmanned child protection line, which you can reach on 0208 831 6655. You can access this number 24 hours a day, but please note that the line is unmanned, and you will be met with a voicemail. You will receive a response from them within 24 hours of your call.

If a child is at risk of harm and contact cannot be made with the RFU, please contact the police or out-of-hours children's social care. You can also call the NSPCC on their contact line, 0808 800 5000, which operates between 10:00 AM - 16:00 PM Monday to Friday. You can find more details on their website HERE.

The CSO is accountable for:

• Being the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns relating to children and adults at risk
• Encouraging an environment where the voice of the child or adult at risk is central to influencing club policy and procedure, and that their feedback is actively sought out and acted upon where possible
• Ensuring that all safeguarding concerns are reported appropriately to the Constituent Body, Safeguarding Manager (CBSM), the RFU Safeguarding team and/or the appropriate statutory agencies in a timely fashion, in line with the appropriate RFU procedures
• Ensuring that everyone at the club is aware of the appropriate reporting structures regarding safeguarding concerns and championing an environment where this is common knowledge
• Leading on the annual club safeguarding audit, with support from the Club Committee, its Chair and all its volunteers and staff as and where appropriate
• Working in partnership with the youth chair, to ensure safer recruitment procedures are followed, in line with the RFU Safeguarding Children Policy and Regulation 21. This includes ensuring references are received and vetted (where appropriate), and advising the club on which appointments require appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and that these checks are carried out in the appropriate timeframe and accurate records are kept
• With the support of the committee, ensuring that the club adheres to all its safeguarding
• responsibilities detailed in the annual Club Safeguarding Audit
• Ensuring the club is proactive in making sure its staff and volunteers who are required to carry out safeguarding training carry it out in the appropriate timeframe, including refresher training
• Supporting all safeguarding concerns or queries volunteers, staff or members have. This includes offering advice and insight into club practice, supporting children and adults at risk in making disclosures and ensuring that the committee is updated on all safeguarding issues
• Ensuring the club’s safeguarding policy is openly accessible to everyone and is kept updated, and ensuring safeguarding information and contacts is readily available on the club website
• Attending club committee meetings as a member of that committee, who is responsible for ensuring safeguarding is a mandatory standing item on the agenda