TAKING APPROPRIATE ACTION
Concerns about poor practice and possible abuse within the rugby setting.
Allegations will often relate to poor practice where an adult’s behaviour is inappropriate and is causing concern.
Poor practice constitutes any behaviour which:
- · contravenes Pumas / RFU Codes of Ethics and RFU Codes of GoodPractice in the Rugby Setting.
- · infringes on an individual’s rights.
- · is a failure to fulfil the highest standards of care.
- Poor practice is unacceptable in Pumas and the sport of rugby union and will be treated seriously.
- Appropriate action in line with RFU / RFUW regulations will be taken.
Action to take if a young person informs you that he / she is concerned about someone’s behaviour towards them in the rugby setting.
- Everyone should follow the procedures as set out in section 5.
- You must complete a Pumas Incident Record Form.Information passed to external agencies must be as helpful as possible.It will be necessary to make a detailed report at the time of disclosure.Your report should contain the following detail:
- · The young person’s name, address and date of birth and any disability.
- · The nature of the allegation.
- · A description of any injuries / bruising.
- · Any observations about the behaviour / emotional state of the youngperson.
- · The young person’s account in their own words of what has happened.
- · Actions that have been taken as a result of your concerns.
- · Whether the person writing the report is expressing their won concerns or those of a third party.
Remember to:
- · Sign and date it
- · Keep a copy
- · Keep a record of the name and designation of the Social Services member of staff or Police Officer to whom concerns were passed.
- You must not investigate yourself.
You must:
- · make a full record of what has been said, heard or seen as soon aspossible.
- · inform Pumas Welfare Officer immediately.The Welfare Officer will report the matter to the RFU Child Protection Officer and the CB Welfare Manager.
POOR PRACTICE
Following guidance from RFU Child Protection Officer that the issue is Poor Practice then the Club’s Welfare Officer must:
- · Forward a written report to the CB Welfare Manager and RFU ChildProtection Officer.
ABUSE
Following a decision that the issue is to be investigated as Child Protection / Abuse then the Club’s Welfare Officer must:
- · refer the allegation the Police of Social Services. They will give adviceconcerning who should contact the child’s parents / guardians.
- · Inform the RFU Child Protection Officer, forwarding a written report utilising the Incident Referral Form who will take the report to the RFU Child Protection Referral Management Group.
- Non-action is not an option.
- The welfare of the young person is paramount.
Action to take if you become aware through your own observations or through a third party of possible abuseoccurring in a setting other than rugby.
If this happens you should:
- · ensure the safety of the young person. If he / she require immediatetreatment, call an ambulance, inform doctors of concerns and ensure they are aware that this is a Child Protection issue.
- If a young person is taken to hospital Social Services must be informedimmediately
- · Report concerns to Club Welfare Officer
- · Club Welfare Officer will seek advice from RFU Child Protection Officer, CB Welfare Manager, RFU Child Protection Helpline or NSPCCHelpline - 0800 800 5000.
- · If there is any delay in receiving advice from Club Welfare Officer contact must be made with Social Services.
- · If a formal referral is made, make it clear to Social Services / Police that this is a Child Protection referral.
- · All Police forces have dedicated Child Abuse Investigation Teams (CAITs) which deal with allegations of abuse within the family setting and by people in positions of trust. If you believe that a child is in immediate danger or has come to physical harm.
- · Parents / Carers should only be contacted following advice from Police or Social Services.
- Non- action is not an option the welfare of the young person is paramount to every other consideration.
- Delay in acting can increase the risk to the child / young person.
General Advice.
In all cases please always remember the following; It is often more difficult to some young people to disclose abuse than others. Previous experiences of prejudice may lead them to believe that those in authority do not really care about their well being.
- Disable young people may have to overcome additional barriers beforefelling 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 their only attention / affection they have experienced.
- There may be communication differences which block our willingness tobelieve they may be abused or to use their medical condition to explainaway indicators which in an able-bodied 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.
- Information should be handled and disseminated on a need-to-know basis only, following advice from social services / police.
This may include the following people:
- · The Club Welfare Officer
- · The CB Welfare Manager
- · Designated Officers within the RFU / RFUW
- · Parents / Carers of the young person alleged to have been abused.
