Safeguarding

Safeguarding in Leicestershire Clubs

Leicestershire RFU is committed to safeguarding every child engaged in rugby activities at our member clubs.

We fully adhere to RFU Safeguarding Policies and promote their principles:

• The welfare of children is paramount.
• All children, regardless of background or identity, have the right to participate in rugby safely and positively.
• Concerns about abuse or harm are taken seriously and addressed swiftly and fairly.
• Collaboration is key to ensuring children’s welfare and development.

Under Child Protection Laws and RFU policy, a “child” is defined as anyone under the age of 18 participating in rugby.

What we do

Our Safeguarding Manager and team support clubs to meet all RFU safeguarding standards by:

• Advising and supporting Club Safeguarding Officers (CSOs) in their roles.
  Helping clubs complete the RFU Safeguarding Audit to ensure compliance with safeguarding criteria.
• Ensuring clubs maintain an up-to-date Children’s Workforce List of volunteers working with children.
• Ensuring assessments and consents are in place for players competing outside their age grade.
• Responding swiftly and appropriately to concerns of abuse, neglect, harm, discrimination, or poor practice.

Play it Safe

This three-hour safeguarding course is for any volunteer, coach or match official who is working with or who has responsibility for children within rugby. Club Safeguarding Officers can request to run this course in your rugby club by using the Play it Safe Tutor map.

https://www.englandrugby.com/governance/safeguarding/safeguarding-courses

RFU Pages

• Information for CSOs
• Sharing Concerns
• Safer Recruitment
• Advice for Children
• Safeguarding Guidance for Parents and Volunteers
• Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU)
• Child Protections and Online Protection (CEOP)

DBS Access

To gain access to the RFU DBS system, individuals need to have the safeguarding officer or safeguarding assistant role with level four permissions on the GMS (Game Management System). If there is no access, the RFU should be contacted. The individual’s record must also be visible on the organization’s GMS membership, and they must have completed the e-learning introduction to safeguarding course within the same season as the DBS application.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
• Access Permissions:
The first step is to ensure the individual has the necessary role and permissions (level four) on the RFU’s GMS.
• Visible Record:
The individual’s profile must be registered and visible within the club’s GMS membership.
• E-learning Requirement:
Completion of the RFU e-learning introduction to safeguarding course is mandatory for all DBS applications and must be done within the same season the application is submitted (July 1st to June 30th).
• Consistent RFU ID:
Both the e-learning course and the DBS application need to be linked to the same RFU ID.
• Application Process:
To start the DBS application, the individual is selected on GMS, and the “apply for DBS” option is chosen.
• Error Handling:
If any errors occur during the process, they must be rectified before the application can proceed.
• Confirmation:
A blue banner will appear on GMS once the application is successfully transferred.
• Pending Status:
While the GMS might show a pending DBS status after transfer, it doesn’t mean the application is active with the DBS itself.
• Contact RFU:
If there are any issues with access or the process, the RFU should be contacted for support.

YouTube link for step-by-step
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8686I8VVN8U&t=882s