SAFEGUARDING
1 Safeguarding Policy
The directors of Scotland Rugby League acknowledge their responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child, young person and vulnerable adult who has been entrusted to its care and is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all of its members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 involved in any rugby league activity. A vulnerable adult is anyone who may be unable to take care of him or herself or be unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation. We subscribe to Safeguarding Policy (revised version 2015) and endorse and accept the Policy Statement contained in that document.
2 The key principles of Safeguarding Policy are that:
- The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration
- All children, young people and vulnerable adults have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, ethnic origin, gender, special needs, disability, class or social background, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, colour or political persuasion.
- All suspicions and allegations of abuse or poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
3 We acknowledge that every child or young person or vulnerable adult who plays or participates in rugby league should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.
4 Scotland Rugby League has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. It is noted and accepted that the Safeguarding Policy and related regulations applies to everybody in rugby league whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This means whether you are a volunteer, match official, helper, coach, club official or medical staff.
5 We endorse and adopt the Safeguarding Policy on recruiting volunteers and staff and will follow the recruitment procedures as set out in that policy and summarised below:
- Develop a job description or role profile
- As a minimum meet and chat with applicants and where possible conduct interviews before appointing
- Request and follow up two references before appointing
- Ask the candidate for a self declaration before anyone is appointed to a role
- Apply for a PVG via Victoria Hogg, the authorised signatory for Scotland Rugby League. This is obtained from Volunteer Scotland
All volunteers and staff with direct access to children, young people and vulnerable adults will be required to obtain a PVG for rugby league.
Scotland Rugby League aims to prevent people with a history of significant offending from having any contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults and will prevent them having the opportunity to influence policies or practice with children or young people. This is to prevent direct sexual or physical harm to children or young people or vulnerable adults and to minimise the risk of grooming within rugby league.
6 Scotland Rugby League supports the RFL Whistle Blowing Policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can whistle blow by contacting the Safeguarding team (see details below).
7 Scotland Rugby League Club has appointed a Child Welfare Officer, Victoria Hogg, in line with the RFL’s role profile. The CWO has taken part in training as defined by Children1ST. The CWO is the first point of contact for all club members and parents/carers regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person or vulnerable adult. The CWO will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns and will play a proactive role in increasing an awareness of what poor practice and abuse can look like amongst all SRL members.
8 We acknowledge and endorse the RFL’s Anti Bullying Policy. Bullying of any kind is not acceptable. If bullying does occur, all players or parents/carers should be able to tell and to know that bullying will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the CWO.
9 The RESPECT Code of Conduct for coaches, players, officials, parents/carers, officials and coaches has been implemented by Scotland Rugby League. SRL has a fair disciplinary system and clear sanctions to deal with any misconduct and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be applied in more serious circumstances. All prospective members will be informed of these codes.
10 Further advice on Safeguarding matters can be obtained from:
Victoria Hogg, SRL Child Welfare Officer: 07760 265613 safeguarding@scotlandrl.com
NSPCC Child Protection 24 hour Helpline 0808 800 5000
RFL Safeguarding Team on 0844 477 7113 Option 6 or by emailing to safeguarding@rfl.uk.com or writing to the Safeguarding team at the RFL, Red Hall, Red Hall Lane, Leeds, LS17 8NB. General advice is available at https://www.rugby-league.com/
