Child Protection Information

This summary is intended as a guide for people involved in the coaching, management and development of Rugby Union with in the club environment. It should be read by volunteers, parents and professionals alike, and in particular a new coach. In it you both are introduced to the concept of child abuse in sport, in all its forms and are given ways of both recognising warning signs and acting on concerns.

Abuse is a powerful and emotive term. Child abuse is a term used to describe ways in which children are harmed, usually by adults and often by those they know and trust. The coach often holds this trust and may be at risk of misusing their power over young players. It is widely recognised that there are four main areas of abuse which coaches and volunteers should be aware of:

EMOTIONAL ABUSE

In general terms, emotional abuse occurs when adults persistently fail to show children due care, love or affection, where a child may be constantly shouted at, or threatened or subjected to sarcasm and unrealistic pressures.

NEGLECT

In general terms, neglect as a form of abuse occurs when a child’s essential needs for food, warmth and care fail to be met.

PHYSICAL ABUSE

In general terms, this occurs when adults or even children, deliberately inflict injuries on a child or knowingly do not prevent such injuries. It also occurs when an adult gives alcohol or inappropriate drugs, or fails to supervise their access to these substances

SEXUAL ABUSE

In general terms, girls and boys are abused by adults both male and female, who use children to meet their own sexual needs

There may, however be an increased risk within many sports, including Rugby Union, for abuse to occur which does not necessarily fit in to these categories. The unique culture and traditions of Rugby along the so-called stereotypical behaviour, whilst common to many team sports, may give rise to unacceptable behaviour leading to situation where abuse may occur of coaches and/or young players are at risk

Safeguarding the welfare of our players is paramount. As coaches and volunteers we have a moral and possibly legal responsibility to provide the highest possible standard of care when we welcome young players into the game of Rugby Union.

Whilst there are many ways in which the welfare of young players can be safeguarded, this document does not go into details and any further guidance can be sought from the “RFU/RFUW Policy and Procedures for the Welfare of Young People in Rugby Union” which is included in this pack.

As a coach or volunteer with Wallingford RFC you are advised to: -

UNDERSTAND WHAT CHILD ABUSE MEANS

ENSURE GOOD PRACTICE IN THE COACHING OF YOUNG PLAYERS

PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

RECOGNISE ABUSE AND PROVIDE A STRUCTURE TO DEAL SYMPATHETICALLY WITH CONCERNS