Houghton RUFC has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in HRUFC from harm. All children have a right to protection and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account. HRUFC will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in HRUFC through adherence to the Child Protection guidelines adopted by HRUFC.

A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989)

Policy Aims

The aim of the HRUFC Child Protection Policy is to promote good practice:

• Providing children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of HRUFC
• Allow all staff/volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues.

Good Practice Means

• Treating all young people/disabled adults equally and with respect and dignity.
• Always putting the welfare of each young person first, before winning or achieving goals.
• Maintaining a safe and appropriate distance with players.
• Making sport fun, enjoyable and promoting fair play.
• Ensuring coaching staff and all volunteers have Criminal Records Bureau checks carried out.
• Ensuring all coaches have attended a minimum of Rugby Ready Training.
• Keeping up to date with technical skills, qualifications and insurance in sport.
• Involving parents/carers wherever possible especially in changing room supervision.
• Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
• Recognising the developmental needs and capacity of young people and disabled adults - avoiding excessive training or competition and not pushing them against their will.
• Keeping a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.
• Ensuring the use of photographic/filming equipment is used only as a legitimate coaching aid.
• Taking all signs of bullying very seriously, investigating all allegations and taking appropriate actions.
• Having a clear procedure and process in dealing with all allegations of child abuse/bullying.