Safeguarding of paramount importance for RFU
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has long taken its role in safeguarding all involved in the game very seriously, with measures in place to ensure that everyone can enjoy the sport in an inclusive, safe and enjoyable environment.
Safeguarding procedures are regularly assessed externally by the Child Protection in Sport Unit, with the most recent report giving the Union the highest rating of very good in every aspect.
This included: policies, procedures and guidance; organizational ownership of safeguarding; case management; safeguarding training and learning and communicating safeguarding messages and information.
Safeguarding measures are put into practice at every level, from the RFU’s Board, who receive safeguarding training, to the entire sport. Led by Vivien Rimmer, Head of Safeguarding, a specialist in child protection, four full-time members of staff oversee a system which involves 70 Safeguarding Managers and Deputy Managers across all geographical Constituent Bodies of the game nationwide and over 2000 Club Safeguarding Officers and assistants.
Good practice from grassroots to elite
Under the Union’s regulations, every one of its clubs with an Age Grade section must have a Safeguarding Officer, ideally operating at Committee level. This means that a “golden thread” of good practice runs through from grassroots to elite level and from senior management down.
Safeguarding pages on the England Rugby website provide essential information and the safeguarding team provides regular bulletins for clubs, which are distributed through CB Safeguarding Teams. All allegations, suspicions of harm and concerns are taken very seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately, with everyone working in partnership to promote the welfare of children and adults at risk.
In tune and quick to respond
The Referral Management Group, is a cross departmental group, which assesses any risk that those in a position of trust may pose. Members use their personal and professional skills, expertise and judgement to ensure that rugby union in England is safe for children and adults at risk. The group was further strengthened more than a year ago by the inclusion of an independent Chair, Chris Robson, and independent member, Michael O’Connor.
Said Chris Robson, who has extensive experience in the field, “I am thoroughly impressed with the RFU and its Referral Management Group. I have never known a group so quick to respond to safeguarding issues or so in tune with exactly what should be done.
“I think the RFU are very brave in bringing two independent people into these roles and not marking their own homework. What I have seen is that they have everything covered, which makes me really reassured. I’m a parent and grandparent and would have no hesitation in encouraging my grandkids to play rugby.
“The RFU has recognised that there will always be safeguarding issues to deal with and that being aware of that is everyone in the sport’s responsibility. There are really good safeguarding courses and so many fantastic people out there giving up their time so that our kids are protected and can play and benefit from rugby.
Ahead of the curve
“My own personal and independent view is that the RFU is ahead of the curve. The level of training means the information brought for us to consider is outstanding. The RFU is all over the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and is very prepared to ban people and to ask a club challenging questions where people quite clearly should not be involved with young children.”
Information and training is tailored, with accessible information for children and young people helped by consulting them at national and local level. The Safeguarding Team has consulted with the RFU Youth Council and hopes to work further with them in developing child focused safeguarding resources. There is also bespoke training available for academies.
When the usual face to face Play It Safe and In Touch courses could not be delivered in lockdown an online Safeguarding Awareness course was made available for all, with a requirement that it is completed prior to any new DBS application. Play it Safe course have now resumed, with In-Touch reformatted and restarting.
Vivien Rimmer joined the RFU from a role in social work combining her passions for safeguarding children and rugby union. She said: “I want every child and at risk adult involved in rugby to be safe and love the sport so that they continue playing and enjoying rugby. I am really proud of the commitment right from the top of the organisation to all the volunteers making sure we always consider safeguarding a priority. I don’t think our work is complete but there is an absolute commitment to never sitting back and thinking we have got it right.
“We will always need to react to situations and there is always more work to do as we continue to learn, discuss and make changes where needed. The adage that rugby is a family where people care about each other and especially those most vulnerable is borne out in the safeguarding work done at every level throughout the country.”
