WWW.Guisboroughrufc.co.uk

Home of Guisborough Rugby

SECTION 12 - RECRUITMENT AND

SELECTION OF STAFF, COACHES AND VOLUNTEERS

Anyone may have the potential to abuse young people in some way and it is important that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that unsuitable people are prevented from working with children.  It is essential the same procedure is used consistently throughout the game. Under the Protection of Children Act 1999, all individuals working on behalf of RFU/RFUW are treated as employees whether paid or volunteers.

The following recruitment checks must be carried out:

12.1    Advertising

If any form of advertising is used to recruit staff, it should reflect:

12.1.1   The responsibilities of the role;

12.1.2   The level of experience or qualification required (e.g. working with
              children an advantage);

12.1.3   RFU stance on child protection.

12.2    Applications

12.2.1   All adults who are in contact with young people, whether paid or
             voluntary, should complete an application form (see Appendix 6).

12.3    Checks and References

12.3.1       All adults who have “regular supervisory contact with young people” MUST undertake CRB disclosure. These adults will include:

·        Professional staff;

·        All coaches/assistant coaches;

·        Heads of mini/midi rugby sections;

·        Team managers;

·        All referees who manage mini/midi and youth games;

·        Welfare Officers; 

·        Physiotherapists.

12.3.2   A minimum of two written references should be taken up and at least one
             should be associated with former work with young people. If an applicant
             has no experience of working with children, training is strongly advised.

12.4    Interview and Induction

12.4.1   Where appropriate, all professional appointments for full or part time
                        positions, should undergo a formal interview;

12.4.2   All staff (paid or voluntary) must undergo a formal or informal induction in
                        which:

·        Coaching qualifications, if applicable, are verified;

·        Training needs are identified;

·        Appropriate Codes of Conduct and Codes of Good Practice are signed up to;

·        The roles, responsibilities and expectations of the job are clarified;

·        Child Protection procedures are explained and training needs established.

12.5    Training

Appropriate training will enable individuals to recognise their responsibilities with regard to their own good practice and the reporting of poor practice or concerns of possible abuse. The RFU strongly recommend:

 12.5.1    All adults who have regular contact with young people complete the
              “RFU Guide to Best Practice and Child Protection”;

12.5.2    All adults who have a coaching responsibility for young people attend an
                         appropriate RFU coaching course as it is vital that all staff working
                         with young people in rugby union are conversant with:

·        Player-centred coaching techniques;

·        How to work with young people safely and effectively.

12.6    Monitoring and Appraisal

All staff and volunteers should at regular intervals be given the opportunity to receive formal or informal feedback. This will enable managers to:

·        Identify training needs;

·        Set new goals;

·         Highlight concerns about inappropriate behaviour.