| CLUB RULES |
All members should:
Abide be the rules as laid down in the clubs constitution.
Adhere to the clubs code of conduct.
Adhere to the clubs dress code at all times.
Respect your club and the enjoyment of other members.
Abide by the rules/guidelines as set down by the KCRFU, RFU and the club committee.
Abide by the licencing law as set out within the clubs constitution.
Understand and follow all RFU & other constituency bodies standards and policies.
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| PARENTAL/CARERS CODE OF CONDUCT |
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
To pride ourselves through honesty, integrity and ability on & off the pitch. Hence, build a better club physically and morally for the good of our community and our great game.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS/CARERS
Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them.
Encourage Sportsmanship and self-discipline.
Teach your child to recognise a good performance is more important than a good result.
Never force your child into sport. They should want to take part and not be told to do so.
Set a good example by praising fair play by applauding the good performances of all.
Never punish or belittle a child performance, be ‘Constructive & not Destructive’
Support the judgements made by officials’.
Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.
Remember this is a family club and all negative & foul language must be discouraged.
As we strive to build a better club, we hope you will enjoy playing at Orpington and support our policies to ensure the enjoyment & safety of our young members. We actively discourage all kinds of discrimination.
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| CLUB RULES - JUNIORS MEMBERS |
ORFC is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its members. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect encouraged to be open at all times. You should also share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with Joe Payne, Club Chairman or Trevor Martingell, Head of Youth Section.
As a member of Orpington RFC you are expected to abide by the following junior club rules:
All members must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions.
All members must respect opponents.
Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.
Members must wear suitable kit – Gum Shields, Rugby (Warm) Clothing and Shin Pads – for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager.
Members must pay any fees for Membership & any other required fees promptly.
Junior members are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions.
Junior members are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing the club.
All Children and Young People are welcome at Orpington RFC but we would ask that they treat the Clubhouse & surrounding areas with the Respect it deserves.
A lot of people put a lot of effort into making Orpington RFC a “child Friendly” club & do not like to see all their hard work disrespected!
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| EQUITY POLICY |
Orpington RFC is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects and every team of the Club. In doing so, the Club acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity:
· Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.
· The Club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.
· Orpington RFC is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.
· All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.
The Club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to Club disciplinary proced
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| CHILD PROTECTION POLICY |
ORPINGTON RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB..
Current Officers & Contacts concerning Child Protection & welfare issues:
CP Officers:
Hayley Barrie & Bill Barrie - Phone: TBA
Head of Youth Coaching:
Trevor Martingell - Phone: 07940 293 576
Kent RFU CP Officer:
Neil Wiltshire - Phone: TBA
RFU Contacts concerning CP Issues:
Steve Farr & Ann Hutchins - Phone: TBA
Orpington RFC have produced their own Child Protection Policy with advice & help from various organisations & the RFU & Kent RFU. A copy of the RFU Child Protection policy is also available for reference at the Club.
All coaches receive training concerning Child Protection matters & this document is always available at the Club.
STATEMENTS
Child protection principles
Three principles underpin the national multi agency Action Plan which are:
“Sport has a duty of care to safeguard all children 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 (The Children Act 1989 defines a child/young person as under 18).
The implementation of a national sports-wide Action Plan for Child Protection in Sport should be afforded the status, commitment and financial support commensurate with public concern in this area.
All organisations, which provide sport for children should be able to demonstrate the existence, implementation and effectiveness of child protection policies. Public funding agencies should make this a condition of grant aid.”
Statement from Sport England about Clubs:
All sporting organisations which make provision for children and young people must ensure that:
The welfare of the child is paramount;
All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse;
All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately;
All staff (paid/unpaid) working in sport have a responsibility to report concerns to the appropriate officer.
Staff/volunteers are not trained to deal with situations of abuse or to decide if abuse has occurred.
ORFC fully supports and follows the above guidelines to ensure the safety & safe care of Children within the Club. We have appointed Two Welfare Officers (1 x Male & 1 x Female) too fully support the policy and their names are posted on the Wall of the Clubhouse.
In their absence please note that the Head of Youth Coaching is always available.
Orpington Rugby Football Club
INTRODUCTION
In this Policy Document any reference to “ORFC” or the “Club” is abbreviation for Orpington Rugby Football Club.
POLICY STATEMENT
Orpington RFC has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in Rugby & Especially at Its club 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. Orpington RFC will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in Rugby/ORFC through adherence to the Child Protection guidelines adopted by Orpington RFC
A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989).
Policy aims
The aim of the Orpington RFC Child Protection Policy is to promote good practice:
Providing children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of ORFC
Allow all staff /volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues.
Promoting good practice
Child abuse, particularly sexual abuse, can arouse strong emotions in those facing such a situation. It is important to understand these feelings and not allow them to interfere with your judgement about the appropriate action to take.
Abuse can occur within many situations including the home, school and the sporting environment. Some individuals will actively seek employment or voluntary work with young people in order to harm them. A coach, instructor, teacher, official or volunteer will have regular contact with young people and be an important link in identifying cases where they need protection. All suspicious cases of poor practice should be reported following the guidelines in this document.
When a child enters the club having been subjected to child abuse outside the sporting environment, sport can play a crucial role in improving the child’s self-esteem. In such instances the club must work with the appropriate agencies to ensure the child receives the required support.
Good practice guidelines
All personnel should be encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behaviour in order to protect themselves from false allegations. The following are common sense examples of how to create a positive culture and climate.
Good practice means:
Always working in an open environment (e.g. avoiding private or unobserved situations and encouraging open communication with no secrets).
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 (e.g. it is not appropriate for staff or volunteers to have an intimate relationship with a child or to share a room with them).
Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers children to share in the decision-making process;
Making sport fun, enjoyable and promoting fair play.
Ensuring that if any form of manual/physical support is required, it should be provided openly and according to guidelines provided by the Coach Education Programme. Care is needed, as it is difficult to maintain hand positions when the child is constantly moving. Young people should always be consulted and their agreement gained. Some parents are becoming increasingly sensitive about manual support and their views should always be carefully considered.
Keeping up to date with technical skills, qualifications and insurance in sport.
Involving parents/carers wherever possible. For example, encouraging them to take responsibility for their children in the changing rooms. If groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms, always ensure parents, teachers, coaches or officials work in pairs.
Ensuring that if mixed teams are taken away, they should always be accompanied by a male and female member of staff. However, remember that same gender abuse can also occur.
Ensuring that at tournaments or residential events, adults should not enter children’s rooms or invite children into their rooms.
Being an excellent role model – this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of young people.
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.
Securing parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis, if the need arises to administer emergency first aid and/or other medical treatment.
Keeping a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.
Requesting written parental consent if club officials are required to transport young people in their cars.
Practices to be avoided
The following should be avoided except in emergencies. If cases arise where these situations are unavoidable it should be with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge in the club or the child’s parents. For example, a child sustains an injury and needs to go to hospital, or a parent fails to arrive to pick a child up at the end of a session:
Avoid spending excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others
Avoid taking or dropping off a child to an event
Practices never to be sanctioned
The following should never be sanctioned. You should never:
Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay
Share a room with a child
Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching
Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged
Make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun
Reduce a child to tears as a form of control
Allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon
Do things of a personal nature for children or disabled adults, that they can do for themselves
Invite or allow children to stay with you at your home unsupervised
N.B. It may sometimes be necessary for staff or volunteers to do things of a personal nature for children, particularly if they are young or are disabled. These tasks should only be carried out with the full understanding and consent of parents and the players involved. There is a need to be responsive to a person’s reactions. If a person is fully dependent on you, talk with him/her about what you are doing and give choices where possible. This is particularly so if you are involved in any dressing or undressing of outer clothing, or where there is physical contact, lifting or assisting a child to carry out particular activities. Avoid taking on the responsibility for tasks for which you are not appropriately trained.
Incidents that must be reported/recorded
If any of the following occur you should report this immediately to another colleague and record the incident. You should also ensure the parents of the child are informed:
If you accidentally hurt a player.
If he/she seems distressed in any manner.
If a player appears to be sexually aroused by your actions.
If a player misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done.
Use of photographic/filming equipment at sporting events
There is evidence that some people have used sporting events as an opportunity to take inappropriate photographs or film footage of young and disabled sportspeople in vulnerable positions. All clubs should be vigilant and any concerns should to be reported to the Club Child Protection Officer.
Videoing as a coaching aid: there is no intention to prevent club coaches and teachers using video equipment as a legitimate coaching aid. However, performers and their parents/carers should be made aware that this is part of the coaching programme and such films should be stored safely.
ORFC have produced Consent forms & this will be issued to all new Members on arrival. Coaches should ensure that the form is returned signed within two weeks of a child joining, with all relevant membership forms within the membership pack
Recruitment and training of staff and volunteers
ORFC recognises that anyone may have the potential to abuse children in some way and that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure unsuitable people are prevented from working with children. Preselection checks must included the following:
All volunteers/staff should complete an application form. The application form will elicit information about an applicant's past and a self disclosure about any criminal record.
Consent should be obtained from an applicant to seek information from the Criminal Records Bureau.
Two confidential references, including one regarding previous work with children. These references must be taken up and confirmed through telephone contact.
Evidence of identity (passport or driving licence with photo).
Interview and Induction
All employees (and volunteers) will be required to undergo an interview carried out to acceptable protocol and recommendations. All employees and volunteers should receive formal or informal induction, during which:
A check should be made that the application form has been completed in full (including sections on criminal records and self-disclosures).
Their qualifications should be substantiated.
The job requirements and responsibilities should be clarified.
They should sign up to the organisation’s Code of Ethics and Conduct.
Child protection procedures are explained and training needs are identified.
Training
In addition to Preselection checks, the safeguarding process includes training after recruitment to help staff and volunteers to:
Analyse their own practice against established good practice, and to ensure their practice is likely to protect them from false allegations.
Recognise their responsibilities and report any concerns about suspected poor practice or possible abuse.
Respond to concerns expressed by a child or young person.
Work safely effectively with children.
ORFC requires:
Coaching staff to attend a recognised 3-hour good practice and child protection awareness-training workshop, to ensure their practice is exemplary and to facilitate the development of a positive culture towards good practice and child protection.
Non-coaching staff and volunteers to complete a recognised awareness training on child protection.
Relevant personnel to receive advisory information outlining good practice and informing them about what to do if they have concerns about the behaviour of an adult towards a young person.
Relevant personnel to gain a national first aid training (where necessary).
Attend update training when necessary. Information about meeting training needs can be obtained from Sports Coach UK, the NSPCC, and the Sport Council.
ORPINGTON RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
The following pages concern all Coaches & Members of Orpington RFC. It also concerns the reporting of incidents to any Child and all coaches/Volunteers should be aware of any Child Abuse issues to any child from any Club. Especially when we visit other Clubs and Tournaments. Please be aware of the procedure for reporting to ensure correct reporting.
Your Vigilance could help a Child’s Life or Quality of Life!
Responding to allegations or suspicions
It is not the responsibility of anyone working in ORFC, in a paid or unpaid capacity to decide whether or not child abuse has taken place. However there is a responsibility to act on any concerns through contact with the appropriate authorities.
ORFC will assure all staff/volunteers that it will fully support and protect anyone, who in good faith reports his or her concern that a colleague is, or may be, abusing a child.
Where there is a complaint against a member of staff there may be three types of investigation:
A criminal investigation,
A child protection investigation,
A disciplinary or misconduct investigation.
The results of the police and child protection investigation may well influence the disciplinary investigation, but not necessarily.
Action if there are concerns
1. Concerns about poor practice:
If, following consideration, the allegation is clearly about poor practice; the Club Child Protection Officer will deal with it as a misconduct issue.
If the allegation is about poor practice by the Club Child Protection Officer, or if the matter has been handled inadequately and concerns remain, it should be reported to the relevant Kent RFU officer who will decide how to deal with the allegation and whether or not to initiate disciplinary proceedings.
2. Concerns about suspected abuse
Any suspicion that a child has been abused by either a member of staff or a volunteer should be reported to the Club Child Protection Officer, who will take such steps as considered necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and any other child who may be at risk.
The Club Child Protection Officer will refer the allegation to the social services department who may involve the police, or go directly to the police if out-of-hours.
The parents or carers of the child will be contacted as soon as possible following advice from the social services department.
The Club Child Protection Officer should also notify the relevant Kent RFU officer who in turn will inform the RFU Child Protection Officer who will deal with any media enquiries.
If the Club Child Protection Officer is the subject of the suspicion/allegation, the report must be made to the appropriate Manager or in his/her absence the Kent RFU Child Protection Officer who will refer the allegation to Social Services.
Confidentiality
Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information should be handled and disseminated on a need to know basis only. This includes the following people:
The Club Child Protection Officer.
The parents of the person who is alleged to have been abused
The person making the allegation.
Social services/police.
The Kent RFU Regional Development Manager and Kent RFU Child Protection Officer.
The alleged abuser (and parents if the alleged abuser is a child).
Seek social services advice on who should approach the alleged abuser.
Information should be stored in a secure place with limited access to designated people, in line with data protection laws (e.g. that information is accurate, regularly updated, relevant and secure).
INTERNAL ENQUIRES AND SUSPENSION
The ORFC Child Protection Officer will make an immediate decision about whether any individual accused of abuse should be temporarily suspended pending further police and social services inquiries.
Irrespective of the findings of the social services or police inquiries the ORFC Disciplinary Committee will assess all individual cases to decide whether a member of staff or volunteer can be reinstated and how this can be sensitively handled. This may be a difficult decision; particularly where there is insufficient evidence to uphold any action by the police. In such cases, the ORFC Disciplinary Committee must reach a decision based upon the available information which could suggest that on a balance of probability, it is more likely than not that the allegation is true. The welfare of the child should remain of paramount importance throughout.
Support to deal with the aftermath of abuse:
Consideration should be given to the kind of support that children, parents and members of staff may need. Use of helplines, support groups and open meetings will maintain an open culture and help the healing process. The British Association for Counselling Directory is available from The British Association for Counselling, 1 Regent Place, Rugby CV21 2PJ, Tel: 01788 550899, Fax: 01788 562189, E-mail: bac@bacp.co.uk, Internet: http://www.bacp.co.uk.
Consideration should be given to what kind of support may be appropriate for the alleged perpetrator.
ALLEGATIONS OF PREVIOUS ABUSE.
Allegations of abuse may be made sometime after the event (e.g. by an adult who was abused as a child or by a member of staff who is still currently working with children).
Where such an allegation is made, the club should follow the procedures as detailed above and report the matter to the social services or the police. This is because other children, either within or outside sport, may be at risk from this person. Anyone who has a previous criminal conviction for offences related to abuse is automatically excluded from working with children. This is reinforced by the details of the Protection of Children Act 1999.
Action if bullying is suspected
If bullying is suspected, the same procedure should be followed as set out in 'Responding to suspicions or allegations' above.
Action to help the victim and prevent bullying in sport:
Take all signs of bullying very seriously.
Encourage all children to speak and share their concerns (It is believed that up to 12 children per year commit suicide as a result of bullying, so if anyone talks about or threatens suicide, seek professional help immediately). Help the victim to speak out and tell the person in charge or someone in authority. Create an open environment.
Investigate all allegations and take action to ensure the victim is safe. Speak with the victim and the bully(ies) separately.
Reassure the victim that you can be trusted and will help them, although you cannot promise to tell no one else.
Keep records of what is said (what happened, by whom, when).
Report any concerns to the Club Child Protection Officer or the school (wherever the bullying is occurring).
Action towards the bully(ies):
Talk with the bully(ies), explain the situation, and try to get the bully (ies) to understand the consequences of their behaviour. Seek an apology to the victim(s).
Inform the bully’s parents.
Insist on the return of 'borrowed' items and that the bully(ies) compensate the victim.
Provide support for the victim's coach.
Impose sanctions as necessary.
Encourage and support the bully(ies) to change behaviour.
Hold meetings with the families to report on progress.
Inform all organisation members of action taken.
Keep a written record of action taken.
3. Concerns outside the immediate sporting environment (e.g. a parent or carer):
Report your concerns to the Club Child Protection Officer, who should contact social services or the police as soon as possible.
See 4. below for the information social services or the police will need.
If the Club Child Protection Officer is not available, the person being told of or discovering the abuse should contact social services or the police immediately.
Social Services and the Club Child Protection Officer will decide how to involve the parents/carers.
The Club Child Protection Officer should also report the incident to the Kent RFU Governing Body. The Governing Body should ascertain whether or not the person/s involved in the incident play a role in ORFC and act accordingly.
Maintain confidentiality on a need to know basis only.
See 4 below regarding information needed for social services.
4. Information for social services or the police about suspected abuse:
To ensure that this information is as helpful as possible, a detailed record should always be made at the time of the disclosure/concern, which should include the following:
The child's name, age and date of birth of the child.
The child's home address and telephone number.
Whether or not the person making the report is expressing their own concerns or those of someone else.
The nature of the allegation. Include dates, times, any special factors and other relevant information.
Make a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay.
A description of any visible bruising or other injuries. Also any indirect signs, such as behavioural changes.
Details of witnesses to the incidents.
The child’s account, if it can be given, of what has happened and how any bruising or other injuries occurred.
Have the parents been contacted?
If so what has been said?
Has anyone else been consulted? If so record details.
If the child was not the person who reported the incident, has the child been spoken to? If so what was said?
Has anyone been alleged to be the abuser? Record details.
Where possible referral to the police or social services should be confirmed in writing within 24 hours and the name of the contact who took the referral should be recorded.
If you are worried about sharing concerns about abuse with a senior colleague, you can contact social services or the police direct, or the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline on 0808 800 5000, or Childline on 0800 1111.
Thank you for Reading this Policy Document. If there is anything you do not understand or find contentious please do not hesitate to contact either of our Welfare officers or the Head of Youth coaching or any other Committee Member.
Your Input is valued and important to improve the Club and the lives of all of its Members!
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