Yarnbury Junior RFC Child Protection Policy

At Yarnbury we encourage parents to :

Be familiar with the rugby club ‘Coaches Code of Conduct’ (see below).

Where appropriate, take your turn to supervise changing rooms and assist the coaches, particularly when numbers are large.

Make sure the coach has your contact number.

Be involved in club activities.

Share your expertise with the club.

Share your concerns with the club, if you have them.

At Yarnbury coaches are encouraged to :

Be familiar with the Child Protection Guidelines.

Recognise the importance of fun, enjoyment and fair play when coaching young players.

Ensure all players are coached in a safe environment.

Avoid overplaying of young players and use a squad system.

Ensure ALL young players are given an equal opportunity to play rugby.

Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner, both during coaching sessions and games.

At Yarnbury coaches should not :

Demand unrealistic performances from young players.

Over emphasis the winning ethic.

Leave young players without proper supervision.

Expose young players to unnecessary cold or heat, and unacceptable risk of injury.

Expose young players to alcohol or other drugs.

The role of the Child Protection Officer

This person will act as a contact between any member of the club, be it coach, parent or child, who has a concern, and the appropriate service/agency who will deal with the problem.

This person will not be expected to be a Child Protection expert, but will be a channel for information. They will not be expected to deal with any Child Protection issues on their own.

The Child Protection Officer will establish an Incident Book where they will record any reported incidents or breach of Child Protection policies and procedures. This will be kept in a secure place and will be confidential.

Definition of Abuse

Yarnbury RFC recognises that it has a duty to act on reports or suspicions of abuse. It also acknowledges that taking action in cases of child abuse is never easy. However we believe that the safety of the child should override any doubts or hesitations.

Abuse refers to:-

• Physical abuse – e.g. being kicked, shaken, punched or beaten.
• Sexual abuse – e.g. being touched inappropriately.
• Emotional abuse – e.g. being called insulting names.
• Neglect – e.g. not being given enough to eat or having inappropriate clothing.

Action to be taken

When any adult member of yarnbury RFC is alerted to an incident of possible child abuse, in all cases they will :-

• Listen carefully to what the person has to say and take it seriously.
• Record what was said as soon as possible after the disclosure.
• Date and sign the record.
• Respect confidentiality and file documents accordingly.
• Not take sole responsibility.
• Notify Yarnbury’s Child Protection Officer

The Child Protection Officer will :-

• Take advice from the NSPCC National Child Protection Help-line on

tel. no. 0808 800 5000

• The Child Protection Officer will ensure that the allegation is reported to Social Services if appropriate.

Contact Numbers

NSPCC National Child Protection Help-line – 0808 800 5000

Leeds Social Services Referral Hotline – 0113 3984702

This policy was adopted in April 2005.

Yarnbury RFC