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SECTION 11 - TAKING APPROPRIATE ACTION IN RESPONSE TO EXPRESSIONS OF CONCERN ABOUT POOR PRACTICE & POSSIBLE ABUSE WITHIN THE RUGBY SETTING

This applies to anyone working with young people in a paid or voluntary capacity,
e.g. volunteer coaches in clubs, club helpers, tutors on training camps and coaches.

Child abuse can & does occur outside the family setting. Although it is a sensitive and

difficult issue, child abuse has occurred within institutions & within other settings, e.g. sport or other social activities. Research indicates that abuse that takes place within an organisation is rarely a one-off event and it is crucial that those involved in rugby union are aware of this possibility and that all allegations are taken seriously and appropriate action pursued.

Allegations will often relate to poor practice where an adult’s behaviour is inappropriate and maybe causing concern to a young person/s, colleague/s or parent/s.

Poor practice constitutes any behaviour that contravenes RFU Codes of Conduct (Appendix 3) and codes of Good Practice in the Rugby Setting (Section 13), and in particular:

• Infringes on an individual’s rights;

• Is a failure to fulfil the highest standards of care.

POOR PRACTICE IS UNACCEPTABLE IN RUGBY UNION AND WILL BE TREATED SERIOUSLY. APPROPRIATE ACTION IN LINE WITH RFU REGULATIONS WILL ALWAYS BE TAKEN.

11.1    ACTION TO TAKE IF A YOUNG PERSON INFORMS YOU THAT HE/SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS THEM IN THE RUGBY SETTING

11.1.1   Follow the principles set out in Sections 10.1 and 10.2 above.

11.1.2   Make a full record of what was said, heard & seen as soon as possible

11.1.3   Inform the Club Welfare Officer immediately

11.1.4   Welfare Officer to report the matter to the RFU Ethics & Equity Manager,
   with a copy to the CB Welfare Manager.

11.1.5  IF guidance is received that the issue is:

·        poor practice:        

then the Club Welfare Officer should:

-        for a ‘first report’: follow club disciplinary procedures for a first report of poor practice (see Appendix 1) and forward a written report on action taken to the CB Welfare Manager and RFU Ethics and Equity Manager;

-        for a ‘repeated case’ involving the same individual:  If an individual is identified by the club as being guilty of poor practice on subsequent occasions, then the CB Welfare Manager, in consultation with the RFU Ethics and Equity Manager, may conclude that the issue constitutes abuse and should be referred to the RFU Disciplinary Officer.

·        Abuse:                     

then the Club Welfare Officer should:

-        If the young person requires immediate medical attention, call an ambulance and inform the doctor that the concern relates to child protection;

-        Refer the allegation to police or Social Services They will give advice relating to the contacting of parents/guardians;

-        Inform the CB Welfare Officer and the RFU Ethics and Equity Manager and forward a written report utilising the Incident Report Form (see Appendix 7).

Non-action is not an option. The welfare of the young 
  person/s is paramount.

11.1.6   The RFU Ethics and Equity Manager, in consultation with the RFU
             Disciplinary Officer, will:

·        Decide whether any individual accused of abuse should temporarily be suspended pending further Social Services or police enquiries (see Appendix 1);

·        Assess all individual cases under the appropriate misconduct and disciplinary procedures irrespective of the findings of the Social Services and police. There may be three types of investigation:

-        Criminal

-        Child protection

-        Disciplinary or misconduct

The results of Social Services and police investigations will inform the RFU Disciplinary investigation. 

·        Seek advice from the RFU Communications department as to developing a media strategy (see Appendix 9);

·        Support the respective Club and CB Welfare Officers in all aspects, particularly the need to obtain appropriate support for affected young people, parents/carers and members of staff.

11.1.7   Where allegations are unfounded, the RFU will work in a professional
              manner to ensure that the person concerned is given appropriate
              support to continue his or her work in rugby.

11.2    ACTION TO TAKE IF YOU BECOME AWARE THROUGH YOUR OWN OBSERVATIONS OR THROUGH A THIRD PARTY OF POSSIBLE ABUSE OCCURRING AT A YOUNG PERSON’S HOME OR IN SOME OTHER SETTING (OUTSIDE OF RUGBY)

If this happens, you should ensure the safety of the young person.  If he/she requires immediate treatment, call an ambulance, inform the doctors of your concerns and ensure they are aware that this is a child protection issue.   RFU procedures should then be followed:

11.2.1   Please refer to Sections 10.1 and 10.2 of this policy;

11.2.2   Report your concerns to the Club Welfare Officer

11.2.3   The Club Welfare Officer may seek advice from the RFU Ethics and
             Equity Manager, the CB Welfare Manager, the RFU Child Protection
             Helpline or the NSPCC. If there is any delay in receiving advice, contact
             must be made with Social Services;

11.2.4   If a formal referral is made, make it clear to Social Services or the police
             that this is a child protection referral;

11.2.5   All police forces have dedicated Child Protection Teams (CPTs) which
             deal with allegations of abuse within the family setting and by people in a
             position of trust. In a real emergency, dial 999;

11.2.6   Parents/carers should only be contacted following advice from Social
             Services.

Non-action is not an option.   The welfare of the young person/s is paramount.   Delay in acting can increase the risk to the child.

11.3    In all cases, please always remember the following:

·        It is often more difficult for some young people to disclose abuse than others. Young people from ethnic minorities may have regularly experienced racism, which may lead them to believe that certain groups, including those in authority roles, do not really care about their well being. They may well feel they have good reason to question whether the response may be different;

·        Disabled young people may have to overcome additional barriers before feeling that that they can disclose abuse. They may rely on the abuser for their daily care and not know of alternative sources of care. The abuse may be the only attention/affection they have experienced. There may be communication differences and they will almost certainly have to overcome prejudices which block our willingness to believe they may be abused or to use their medical condition to explain away indicators which in a non-disabled young person would concern us.

These groups of people need us to be extra vigilant and
 to give thought as to how we will respond.

11.4    In all cases, every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.

Information should be handled and disseminated on a need to know basis. This will include the following people:

·        The Club/CB Welfare Officers;

·        Designated officers within the RFU;

·        The person making the allegation;

·        Social Services and police;

·        The parents of the young person alleged to have been abused.