Club Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Policy Statement

At Portsmouth Rugby Club (Portsmouth RFC), safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. We are committed to creating an environment where children and young people feel safe, welcome, valued and heard.

We believe that every child has the right to enjoy rugby in a safe, positive and inclusive environment. Guided by the Core Values of Rugby; *Teamwork *Respect *Enjoyment *Discipline and *Sportsmanship. We will work together to promote wellbeing, prevent harm and respond appropriately whenever concerns arise.

The welfare of children is paramount in all decisions and actions taken by the Club.

Purpose

This policy sets out the Club’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children involved in rugby union.

It applies to everyone involved with the Club, including players, coaches, volunteers, officials, committee members, parents, carers and spectators.

For the purposes of this policy, a child is anyone under the age of 18.

Safeguarding Framework

Portsmouth Rugby Club adopts and will comply with RFU Regulation 21, the RFU Safeguarding Children Policy, the RFU Safeguarding Handbook and relevant legislation and statutory guidance.

These documents provide the detailed safeguarding standards, procedures and requirements that underpin this policy. All members are expected to familiarise themselves with the requirements relevant to their role and to cooperate fully with the Club’s safeguarding arrangements.

Safeguarding Through Rugby’s Core Values

TEAMWORK

What we ask of our members:

• Help create a safe environment for all children and young people.
• Report concerns promptly and support others in doing the same.
• Recognise that safeguarding is a shared responsibility.
• Work collaboratively with the Club’s Player Welfare Team and relevant officials.

What the Club will do:

• Promote safeguarding awareness and provide guidance to members.
• Support coaches, team managers, first aiders and volunteers in understanding their responsibilities.
• Work with England Rugby, the RFU, the Constituent Body and relevant statutory agencies where appropriate.
• Regularly review safeguarding arrangements and encourage a culture of shared responsibility.

RESPECT

What we ask of our members:

• Treat everyone with dignity, fairness and consideration.
• Value diversity and promote inclusion.
• Listen to children and young people, taking their views seriously.
• Challenge inappropriate behaviour and encourage others to raise concerns without fear of judgement or retaliation.

What the Club will do:

• Foster an open, respectful and supportive environment.
• Take safeguarding concerns seriously and respond appropriately.
• Promote positive behaviour and clear standards of conduct.
• Communicate expectations to players, parents, coaches, volunteers and spectators.

ENJOYMENT

What we ask of our members:

• Help make rugby a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone.
• Encourage participation, teamwork and personal development.
• Support children to develop confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging.
• Recognise that a child’s welfare is more important than performance or results.

What the Club will do:

• Create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Prioritise safeguarding and wellbeing across all junior rugby activities.
• Celebrate positive contributions and promote enjoyment at every level.
• Encourage children to participate in rugby without fear of bullying, abuse, discrimination or inappropriate pressure.

DISCIPLINE

What we ask of our members:

• Follow Club policies, RFU regulations and relevant codes of conduct.
• Take responsibility for our actions and decisions.
• Raise concerns promptly and cooperate with safeguarding processes.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries when working with children.

What the Club will do:

• Respond appropriately and proportionately to concerns.
• Apply safeguarding procedures fairly and consistently.
• Take action when risks to children are identified.
• Support appropriate reporting, recording, referral and escalation of safeguarding concerns.

SPORTSMANSHIP

What we ask of our members:

• Demonstrate honesty, fairness, kindness and integrity.
• Act as positive role models for children and young people.
• Challenge poor behaviour and inappropriate conduct.
• Treat players, officials, opponents, volunteers and spectators with respect.

What the Club will do:

• Promote rugby’s values throughout the Club.
• Support volunteers and officials in maintaining safe standards.
• Address behaviour that undermines the welfare, safety or enjoyment of children.
• Maintain an environment where everyone understands that safeguarding takes precedence over reputation, results or personal relationships.

Listening to Children and Young People

Portsmouth Rugby Club is committed to listening to children and young people, taking their views seriously and supporting them to speak up when something concerns them.

Children should know who they can approach for help and feel confident that they will be listened to respectfully and taken seriously.

The Club will encourage age-appropriate participation in decisions affecting children, provide accessible routes for raising concerns and respond in a manner that prioritises each child’s safety, dignity and best interests.

No child should be made to feel responsible for resolving a safeguarding concern themselves.

Club-Specific Safeguarding Considerations

Portsmouth Rugby Club recognises that safeguarding risks can arise in different settings and circumstances across its facilities, activities and junior rugby programme. The Club will regularly assess relevant risks and review arrangements to ensure children are appropriately protected.

Particular consideration will be given to:

• Facilities and playing environments: Pitch inspections, changing facilities, shared spaces, public access and the identification and reporting of environmental hazards. Relevant risks must be reported to the appropriate person or authority and addressed before activities proceed where necessary.
• Training and match-day activities: Appropriate supervision, safe operating arrangements, clear responsibilities and effective communication between coaches, team managers, first aiders and safeguarding personnel.
• Injuries and medical welfare: Appropriate first-aid provision, accurate recording and reporting of injuries, and the timely escalation of medical or welfare concerns. Relevant concussion and injury-management procedures must be followed.
• Changing rooms and personal privacy: Appropriate arrangements that respect children’s privacy, dignity and individual needs, in accordance with RFU guidance.
• Travel, tours and overnight stays: Appropriate planning, supervision, parental consent, accommodation arrangements, transport procedures and clear codes of conduct for children and adults.
• Digital communication and photography: Appropriate use of digital platforms, group communications, photographs and personal information, in line with RFU guidance and the Club’s relevant policies.
• Bullying, behaviour and inclusion: Prompt attention to bullying, discrimination, harmful peer behaviour, inappropriate relationships and other conduct that may affect a child’s safety or wellbeing.
• First aid and player welfare: Clear reporting routes between team officials, first aiders, the Rugby Safe Lead and the Player Welfare Team, with safeguarding concerns escalated appropriately.
• Partnership working: Appropriate cooperation with parents and carers, schools, the RFU, the Constituent Body and statutory agencies when necessary to safeguard a child.

These considerations will be reviewed as circumstances change. Additional risk assessments and activity-specific procedures may be required for particular events, facilities or activities.

Safer Recruitment, Training and Support

Portsmouth Rugby Club is committed to ensuring that individuals working with children are appropriately recruited, vetted, trained and supported in accordance with RFU requirements.

The Club will:

• Ensure that roles involving regulated activity are subject to the appropriate recruitment and vetting requirements, including RFU-compliant DBS checks where applicable.
• Verify relevant qualifications, references and role-specific requirements.
• Ensure that coaches, volunteers and officials complete required safeguarding training and other mandatory learning.
• Promote continuing professional development and encourage volunteers to maintain and develop their knowledge.
• Provide appropriate guidance and support so that individuals understand their responsibilities and know how to report concerns.
• Take appropriate action where recruitment, training, conduct or safeguarding requirements are not met.

Safeguarding is an ongoing responsibility. Completion of training or a DBS check does not remove an individual’s duty to act when a concern arises.

Reporting Concerns

Anyone who has a concern regarding the welfare, wellbeing or safety of a child must report it without delay.

Concerns may relate to a child’s treatment by an adult or another child, behaviour observed at the Club, information disclosed by a child, unsafe practices or any other circumstances that may place a child at risk.

Club Safeguarding Officer: Laura Price

Role: Club Safeguarding Officer / Rugby Safe Lead

Email: portsmouthrsl@gmail.com

Telephone: 07725612070

The Club Safeguarding Officer is the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns within the Club. Concerns should be reported promptly, with relevant facts recorded accurately and confidentially.

Members must not investigate allegations themselves, promise absolute confidentiality or delay reporting while attempting to establish whether a concern is substantiated.

If a concern involves the Club Safeguarding Officer, or if a member is unable to raise a concern safely through the Club, it may be raised directly with the Constituent Body Safeguarding Manager, the RFU Safeguarding Team via the RFU safeguarding reporting form, Children’s Social Care or the Police.

Where a child is at immediate risk of harm, contact emergency services on 999. Do not delay emergency action while attempting to contact the Club.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Safeguarding information will be handled sensitively and shared only with those who need it to protect a child, manage a concern or fulfil a legal or regulatory responsibility.

Confidentiality must never be used as a reason to withhold information necessary to safeguard a child. Information will be recorded, stored and shared in accordance with applicable data protection requirements and relevant RFU guidance.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, following significant safeguarding incidents, or following changes to RFU safeguarding requirements, legislation or relevant Club arrangements.

The Club will ensure that the current version is accessible to members and that any significant updates are communicated appropriately.

Adoption

Club Name: Portsmouth Rugby Club (Portsmouth RFC)

Date Adopted: 20^th October 2026

Review Date:  19^th October 2027

Chairperson: Dan Stoneman (Junior Chair) & Jon Whitehouse (Club Chair)

Club Safeguarding Officer: Laura Price

Signature of Club Safeguarding Officer:

Signature of Chairperson: