Chesham Rugby Union Football Club, follows the guidance as laid out by the England Rugby Football Union and follows the procedures and practices laid out by their Safeguarding and Child Protection policies.

If any one has any concerns or would like to know more please contact the club safeguarding officer.

All our coaches must hold current DBS certificates.

It is not only coaches but ALL volunteers who have any contact with youngsters that have to have DBS clearance.

Our Safeguarding officer is

e-mail: safeguarding@cheshamrugbyclub.com

The clubs Safeguarding policy can be found here.

If you are worried about an incident or have a concern then please complete the RFU Referral form. and send it to the Club Safeguarding Officer (email address above)

RFU Safeguarding Referral Form

Who to contact

In all cases if you are not sure what to do contact either the NSPCC 24-hour freephone helpline (0808 800 5000) or leave a message on the RFU Safeguarding Line (0208 831 6655) and a member of the Safeguarding Team will respond.

Concussion

The attached documents can be found on the RFU website Headcase Concussion resources

There are specific courses for the following:

Adult Coach
Players
Match Official
Teachers
Parent/Guardian
Youth Coach

We recommend that everyone should take the time to go through at least one of the above courses. For Parents/guardians it is particularly useful for identifying conncussions that have occurred out of rubgy. If you suspect your child of sustaining a concussion from a fall, or playing sports at school/college then please follow the protocols

The player with concussion should “Rest their body and Rest their brain” for a minimum of 14 Days, and until all symptoms have disappeared, before commencing a graduated return to play programme (GRTP).

Full recovery from the concussion is required before return to full contact training and play. This includes other sports and activities that have a predictable risk of head impacts. Return to education must come before return to play.

CRUFC Concussion Injury Advice

Priority is to RECOGNISE & REMOVE anyone with suspected concussion.

Recovery time is variable in different individuals and the injured person will need monitoring for a further period by a responsible adult.
Under 18’s should see a medical professional when concussion is suspected.
If you notice any change in behaviour, vomiting, dizziness, worsening headache, double vision or excessive drowsiness, please contact your doctor or the nearest hospital emergency department immediately. In an Emergency telephone 999 or 112 or 911.

It is strongly recommended that this information is shared with school/college or any other sports organisations which this person is involved with currently. In serious head injury cases the club may inform the players school on welfare grounds.

Recover & Return to play plan: Based on the RFU Headcase guidance, agree with player the recovery and return to play plan. This will need to be done once concussion has been confirmed by player/parent

Signs of Concussion
Problems could arise over the first 24 – 48 hours. The athlete should not be left alone and must go to a hospital at once if they:

Have a headache that gets worse
Are very drowsy or can’t be awakened
Can’t recognise people or places
Have repeated vomiting or prolonged nausea
Behave unusually or seem confused; are very irritable
Have seizures (arms and legs jerk uncontrollably)
Have weak or numb arms or legs
Have clear fluid coming out of ears or nose
Are unsteady on their feet; have slurred speech
Have difficulty speaking or understanding, or experience deafness in one or both ears

Other important points: -

Rest (physically and mentally), including training or playing sports until symptoms resolve and you are medically cleared
Whilst resting do not have prolonged or frequent screen time
No alcohol
No prescription or non-prescription drugs without medical supervision, Specifically:
No sleeping tablets
Do not use aspirin, anti-inflammatory medication or sedating pain killers
Do not drive until medically cleared
Do not train or play sport for at least 23 days

Remember, it is better to be safe.

You can also take a short online concussion course at: RFU On-line Concussion Courses

These short courses are tailored for Parents, Coaches, Match Officials and Players.

Match Officials and Coaches should log in to EnglandRugby.com before completing the concussion courses so that their completion can be recorded on the Game Managements System correctly.

In all cases where a head injury has been sustained by a youth section player wether in training or playing a match the club requires that their Head Injury Report form is completed and sent to your coach.

Any mini/junior player that plays a match within Buckinghamshire and who sustains ANY head injury (irrespective of the seriousness) will be dealt with as normal by team staff/first aiders etc. However it will be the referee of that match that will have the final say as to whether that player returns to the field of play. In all cases the Society Referee will always err on the side of caution on every occasion. It will be the exception to allow a young player to continue after sustaining any form of head injury.

We ask Coaches/Managers of all mini and junior teams to work with and support the referee’s on this and as ALWAYS respect their decisions and explain, when necessary to parents and spectators.