Safeguarding (Child Welfare)
Old Colfeians adheres to the RFU’s guidance and policies in relation to Safeguarding and child welfare.
All our club policies can be found on our POLICY & DOCUMENTS PAGE.
Hello from our Safeguarding Team…
| Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO) |  Amy Wicks | 07793 002688 safeguarder@ocrfc.co.uk |
| Minis – Assistant Safeguarding Officer (ASO) |  Hayley Phipps | 07803 138 535 minis.safeguarder@ocrfc.co.uk |
| Junior and Colts – ASO | Vacant | Contact CSO |
| Girls Section – ASO | Vacant Position | Contact CSO |
| KCRFU Safeguarding | https://www.kent-rugby.org/club-support/safeguarding/ safeguarding@kent-rugby.org | |
| RFU Safeguarding Team | | 020 8831 7480 or 020 8831 7479 rmg@therfu.com |
SAFEGUARDING IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERYONE,
IT IS NOT AN OPTION TO KEEP QUIET, OR TO TRY AND DEAL WITH INCIDENTS WITHIN THE SQUAD.
What to do if I have a concern
Any concerns raised will be dealt with initially by OCRFC and then forwarded to KENT, our Constituent Body and then onto the RFU should it be necessary.
- Contact either your sections Safeguarding Assistant or the Clubs Safeguarding officer. You may be asked to complete a Safeguarding referral form to help collate and record the information.
This form will be stored securely by the club and sent to the RFU Safeguarding team should it be deemed necessary.
You can also send this form directly to the RFU. However, if wish to discuss the referral in advance of submitting it, please speak to our
Club Safeguarding Officer, the Kent Safeguarding Manager, or the RFU Safeguarding Team on 020 8831 7480 or 020 8831 7479 - If an incident involves the anyone of our Club’s Safeguarding team you should inform the relevant Chair of your section who will then contact the County Board (CB) Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Executive.
What is SAFEGUARDING, who is it for?
Safeguarding provides Player Welfare for all participants involved in AGE GRADE RUGBY whilst Playing, Training, or volunteering (Coaching). Old Colfeians’ RFC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity, fairness and non-discrimination. We strive to maintain good practice and follow RFU Guidance when coaching, ensuring young players can flourish in a safe environment.
AGE GRADE RUGBY refers to anyone from the Under 6’s to Under 18s, including Under 19s given authority to play down into Under 18s rugby. It also provides guidance, advice and support to all our Adult volunteers and parents who come into contact with our YOUTH participants.
All our Volunteers are DBS checked and have the RFU recommended training to carry out their roles and abide by our clubs and the RFU’s ‘Code of Conduct’. Additionally, parents and supporters are encouraged to follow the clubs Code of Conduct when supporting players home and away in a manner that constitutes acceptable behaviour both at training and during and after any games.
Parents should also be reminded that due to the nature of Rugby, we strongly recommend that parents remain pitch side or nominate another parent to be guardian should they need to leave momentarily. We expect this as minimum for the MINIS section. Of course we respect the independence of players as the progress into the Juniors and Colts but Parental support is always encouraged.
Who are we governed by and who do we report to?
Safeguarding at our club is governed by the rules and regulations of England RFU which is followed and supported by our Constituent Body KENT RFU (Safeguarding is found in their ‘Info’ Section)
SAFEGUARDING guidance and Regulations
Safeguarding sits under the GOVERNANCE area of the England Rugby Website: https://www.englandrugby.com/governance
Safeguarding is governed by 3 regulations found in the RFU regulations and rules area: https://www.englandrugby.com/governance/rules-and-regulations/regulations
- Regulation 9 PLAYER SAFETY
- Regulation 15 AGE GRADE RUGBY
- Regulation 21 SAFEGUARDING
