Wallingford Rugby Football Club
Safeguarding Policy September 2023
1. Wallingford Rugby Football Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and
vulnerable adults involved in Wallingford Rugby Club from harm.
2. Wallingford RFC confirms that it adheres to the Rugby Football Union’s Safeguarding Policy and the
procedures, practices and guidelines and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document
and any successor policy.
3. A child is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any rugby union activity. However, where a 17-year-old
player is playing in the adult game it is essential that every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure his or her
safety and wellbeing are protected.
4. The Key Principles of the RFU Safeguarding Policy are that:
I. The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult is, and must always be, paramount to any other
considerations.
II. All participants regardless of age, gender, ability or disability, race, faith, culture, size, shape, language,
or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse or harm.
III. All allegations or suspicions of abuse, neglect, harm, and poor practice will be taken seriously and
responded to swiftly, fairly, and appropriately.
IV. Working in partnership with other organisations, statutory agencies, parents, carers, children, and
young people is essential for the welfare of children.
V. Children and vulnerable adults have a right to expect support, and personal and social development
delivered by an appropriately recruited, vetted, and managed in relation to their participation in rugby
union, whether they are playing, volunteering, or officiating in the community or professional areas of
the sport.
5.Wallingford RFC recognises that all children and vulnerable adults have the right to participate in sport in a
safe, positive, and enjoyable environment whilst at the same time being protected from abuse, neglect, harm,
and poor practice. Wallingford RFC recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever
capacity, at the club.
6. Wallingford RFC will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for
Coaches, Parents, Players, and Officials as appropriate.
7. The Club Safeguarding Officers are Jenny Caw and Tracy Haggart. If you witness or are aware of an incident
where the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult has been put at risk you must, in the first instance, inform the
Club Safeguarding Officer. They will then inform the CB Safeguarding Manager and the RFU Safeguarding
Team. If an incident involves the Club Safeguarding Officer, you should inform the WRFC Chairman (Richard
Payne) and either the CB Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Team.
8. All members of Wallingford RFC who work with children and vulnerable adults in Regulated Activity must
undertake an RFU Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with RFU Regulation 21.
9. Wallingford RFC will ensure that all its members, whether they are coaches, parents, players, or officials will
comply with the Best Practice Guidance as issued by the RFU. In summary, the following are NOT acceptable
and will be treated seriously by the club and may result in disciplinary action being taken by the club, the CB or
the RFU:
- Working alone with a child or vulnerable adult.
- Consuming alcohol whilst responsible for children or vulnerable adults.
- Providing alcohol to children or vulnerable adults or allowing its supply.
- Smoking in the presence of children or vulnerable adults.
- Humiliating children or vulnerable adults.
- Inappropriate or unnecessary physical contact with a child or vulnerable adult.
- Participating in, or allowing, contact or physical games with children or vulnerable adults.
- Having an intimate or sexual relationship with any child or vulnerable adult developed as a result
of being in a ‘position of trust.’
- Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material.
10. Wallingford RFC manages the changing facilities and arranges for them to be supervised by two DBS
checked adults of the appropriate gender for the players using the facilities. Wallingford RFC ensures that all
its coaches, parents, officials, and spectators are aware that adults must not change at the same time, using
the same facilities as children or vulnerable adults.
11. Wallingford RFC will ensure that its coaches and team managers will receive the support and training
considered appropriate to their position and role. The RFU “Managing Challenging Behaviour” Policy has been
adopted and circulated amongst the club workforce both, voluntary and paid.
12. Any events held on Wallingford RFC premises or arranged as a social event under the club’s purview at
other premises must comply with this Policy and if appropriate a Safeguarding Plan should be discussed and
circulated to those affected. Any tours, overseas or domestic, undertaken by Wallingford RFC must comply
with the relevant RFU Regulations and Guidance relating to tours.
