Oxford Harlequins Rugby Union Football Club (“the Club”) believes that taking part in rugby should be a positive and enjoyable part of children’s lives. The Club recognises that all children 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. Oxford Harlequins Rugby Union Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.

The Club will do its utmost to ensure that safeguards are offered to the children with whom it works, and to our club officers, coaches and club members. The Club will endeavour to maintain its high standards of professionalism and good practice.

The Club adheres to and follows the RFU 'Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults in Rugby Union Policy & Guidance' which can be found here:

http://www.rfu.com/managingrugby/safeguardingchildren/~/media/files/2011/managingrugby/safeguardingchildren/safeguarding_policy_050511.ashx

The key principles of this policy are that:

The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult (as appropriate) is, and must always be, paramount to any other considerations.
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.
All allegations or suspicions of abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately.
Working in partnership with other organisations, statutory agencies, parents, carers, children and young people is essential for the welfare of children and young people.
Children have a right to expect support and personal and social development delivered by an appropriately recruited, vetted and managed* person.

*in relation to their participation in rugby union, whether they are playing, volunteering or officiating in the community or professional areas of the sport.

The Club Safeguarding Officer is David Hancock. 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 Executive. If an incident involves the Club Safeguarding Officer you should inform the Mini and Juniors Chairperson and either the CB Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Executive.

All members of the Club who have a regular supervisory contact with children or a management responsibility for those working with children must undertake an RFU Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure and must also be ISA-registered in accordance with the RFU ISA-registration Policy.

Oxford Harlequins Rugby Football Club 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, children, vulnerable adult, or adults.
Consuming alcohol whilst responsible for children or vulnerable adults.
Providing alcohol to children or allowing its supply.
Smoking in the presence of children.
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.

Key Contacts:

Hester O Donnell, Club Safeguarding Officer: +44 7968 783434

Jamie Green, Youth Chairman: 07834 430127

Jenny Bosley, Oxfordshire RFU Safeguarding Manager, 01235 833688

Other useful numbers:

RFU Child Protection Helpline - 0208 831 6655

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline - 0808 800 5000

Childline - 0800 1111

Social Services Assessment Team

for Children and Families - 01295 252421

Child Protection in Sport Unit - 0116 234 7278