Get ready for the new season
From Chris Rawlings, RFU.
In order to provide a safe and positive environment for children, all club safeguarding officers and all club committee members must read and be familiar with Regulation 21 (Safeguarding) and the RFU’s Safeguarding Policy.
The RFU’s Safeguarding Policy, Toolkit and RFU Regulation 21 set out our requirements and aim to assist clubs in ensuring that the welfare of children remains of paramount importance. A safer recruitment process is a key principle that underpins everything we do and ensures those working with children are suitable.
Most clubs will be familiar with the RFU’s DBS process, set out in RFU Regulation 21. This is a crucial part of an effective recruitment process. All DBS applications must be obtained through the RFU Safeguarding Department and DBS disclosures issued through other Registered Bodies are not accepted. This allows the RFU to effectively monitor the application in line with GMS and validity of the resulting disclosure.
The RFU will case manage any DBS disclosure that contains information. It is therefore important to note that only when a “current” status appears against an individual on GMS are they deemed “DBS cleared” by the RFU. Though someone may hold a “current” DBS through the RFU, clubs should also take further measures before determining whether someone is suitable to work with children. Any club operating rugby for those under the age of 18 is deemed a children’s service provider, which means that certain legislation and commitments must be adhered to.
As a children’s service provider it is expected that a thorough recruitment process is followed. Clubs should demonstrate and record the steps taken in determining the recruitment decisions. These would include interviewing potential volunteers, seeking references, checking qualifications are valid, on-going monitoring and carrying out DBS checks via the RFU. Throughout the recruitment process thought should be given to ascertain the suitability of the individual to work with and be a role model to children – someone may be highly qualified but not be suitable to work in the children’s game.
The RFU offer a volunteer application form HERE as a tool which can be located on the England Rugby website to assist clubs in this process.
For further advice please contact the RFU Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@therfu.com
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