HERIOT’S RUGBY CLUB LIMITED PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE GROUPS(PVG) POLICY

THE TASK

Everyone working in Rugby Union has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare, and preventing abuse, of young people (under the age of 18) and vulnerable adults when playing rugby. The welfare of players is paramount and all players under 18 and vulnerable adults, whatever their age, culture, disability, religious belief or sexual identity, have the right to protection from abuse.

THE CLUB’S RESPONSIBILITY

All adult members, rugby coaches and other rugby volunteers of Heriot’s Rugby Club Limited may have contact with these vulnerable members of the Club and can be an important link in identifying cases where a player may need protection.

The Club has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure that it provides youth players and vulnerable adults with the highest possible standard of care when they are involved in Club activities. The Club recognises it has a responsibility:

To safeguard and promote the interests and well-being of all vulnerable groups in rugby.

To take all reasonable practical steps to protect players from harm, discrimination, or degrading treatment.

To respect the rights, wishes and feelings of players.

As a result, the Club is committed to a policy of protection procedures that will ensure viable safeguards to our players, coaches, volunteers and Club members by establishing proper recruitment, provision of support, and appropriate training.

All youth rugby coaches, and those involved in coaching vulnerable adults at the Club will be subject to vetting by Disclosure Scotland.

The Club’s PVG Policy, the Club’s Code of Conduct and any other like documents will be posted on the Club’s website. The codes and policies may be amended from time to time by the Club.

All rugby coaches and other rugby volunteers involved at the Club are required to familiarise themselves with the

Club’s PVG Policy and abide by it.

Allegations of a breach of the Club’s PVG Policy will be investigated in accordance with SRU disciplinary procedures.

THE CLUB’S PROTECT VULNERABLE GROUPS POLICY

The details of the Club’s PVG Policy are:

The Club recognises the value of working closely in partnership with coaches, parents, professionals and volunteers to protect its youth and vulnerable adult players from harm and discrimination.

The Club acknowledges that abuse does take place in sport and that raising awareness and understanding of the main forms of abuse and establishing communication and reporting procedures if abuse is suspected within the Club will further safeguard players, rugby coaches, rugby volunteers and all others working within the game of rugby.

A Welfare Officer/ Child Protection Officer has been appointed to act as the first point of contact for concerns about the welfare of players within the Club; Lindsey Todd Email: cpo@heriotsrugbyclub.co.uk 

The Club accepts that all officers and directors have a responsibility in respect of player protection and is prepared to respond to any indication of poor practice or abuse in line with SRU policy and to put in place structures and systems to ensure that this is followed in practice.

The Club has adopted a Code of Conduct for Rugby Coaches of Vulnerable Groups and will implement and enforce its terms. The Club will introduce from time to time other codes or policies relating to its players. All codes and policies will be posted on the Club’s website and will be subject to amendment.

The Club has adopted the Scottish Rugby Code of Conduct for Safeguarding Children in Rugby.

All youth rugby coaches and those involved in coaching vulnerable adults will be subject to vetting by Disclosure Scotland under the PVG Scheme.

All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

The Club acknowledges that appropriate training will enable individuals within the Club to recognise their responsibilities with regard to their own good practice and the reporting of poor practice or concerns of possible abuse. All the Club’s coaches will be expected to complete an appropriate SRU coaching and refereeing course. Other rugby volunteers will be encouraged to seek appropriate training to assist them in the conduct of their role at the Club.

The Club will encourage rugby coaches and volunteers to stay up-to-date with rugby, coaching, and PVG protection issues.

The Club will keep written records of Club membership, including, where applicable, parental details, known medical issues and record all accidents.

The Club will promote fair play and playing within the spirit of the Laws of the Game and the letter of the Continu