Safeguarding Bulletin July 2022 – PDF, FAO of all Safeguarding Officers
RFU Core Values Reminder
As the weekend approaches a reminder of our Core Values . We expect all of the rugby community to adhere to these. #teamwork #respect #enjoyment #discipline #sportsmanship
Virtual In Touch Course
I have received an email from the RFU Safeguarding team with the start of the in touch course which will be virtual. The dates is every Wednesday from September through to December.
I would like to open this up to all clubs and give them specific dates as the maximum for attendance is 30 participants.
Please could you pass onto your cluster clubs these dates for the in touch course:
29th September 7pm til 9:30pm
13th October same time
27th October same time
10th November again same time.
I have given these dates as I can attend but if there is a problem I can book another Wednesday.
Please could you ask your club to email me with their name, club and GMS number this is so I can book them onto the course.
I will put these dates onto the Facebook safeguarding page.
If any would like to discuss further please let me know.
Best Wishes
Cozy
Become a CRFU Safeguarding Assistant – Interested?

Safeguarding Assistants
The Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) is committed to the Safeguarding of all children involved in rugby in Cornwall and requires four Safeguarding Assistants to assist the present CRFU Safeguarding Lead.
You will be an integral part of the Safeguarding Team and appropriate training will be provided for this most rewarding of jobs. Your personnel skills will include empathy, approachability, objectivity, attention to detail, resilience and dedication to the cause of Safeguarding young people.
Most of your work will be involved in liaising with the local rugby clubs in your area as we are inviting applications to cover the County of Cornwall. Your work will be voluntary and any undue expenses will be met which involves your work as a Safeguarding Assistant.
If you are interested please contact our Safeguarding Lead, Cozy Shrosbree on 07840 457495 for an informal discussion. Applications and requests for the Job Description should be made to the Secretary of the CRFU, Terry Williams (terry344@sky.com & 07753 114727). The Closing date is Monday 19 July 2021.
Safeguarding Bulletin January 2021
Please find the enclosed Safeguarding Bulletin in the link here. Well done to all clubs who got their Safeguarding Audit completed.
Safeguarding audit extended until 28th December
GMS Club Safeguarding Audit |
Please remember that all clubs offering Age Grade activities or having 17-year-olds playing up into the adult game, must complete the Club Safeguarding Audit as per Regulation 21.1.6. Following the recent four-week lockdown, the deadline has been extended by four weeks, with a new completion date of Monday 28 December 2020. The club safeguarding officer, or another officer with access to the club’s organisational profile, should complete questions by that date in the questionnaire tab. Don’t forget to tick the safeguarding declaration at the end and press submit. Should you have any difficulties, please get in touch with the Safeguarding Team (safeguarding@rfu.com) who will be happy to assist. |
DBS Processing – now resumed by RFU
We have had a number of queries relating to DBS processing in the current lockdown and with social distancing restrictions. Whilst earlier in the year the decision was made to suspend the DBS process, the RFU have decided at the current time that DBS applications can be submitted as normal. We would remind you all of the need to carry out ID checks in accordance with the DBS ID guidance and as such face to face verification and hard copy documents must be seen prior to the applications submission. This should be carried out in line with the government advice/restrictions relating to social distancing. Further DBS guidance can be found on the England Rugby website on this link. For any further queries/guidance please contact us via our dedicated email account – dbseapp@rfu.com
RFU Safeguarding Bulletin November 2020
Key points
- Thanks for your efforts
- Safeguarding Team changes
- Rugby Activity
- GMS Safeguarding audit, due by 30th November
- DBS Processing
- Mental Health Advice
To access the Safeguarding bulletin please click on the link
RFU Safeguarding Bulletin August 2020
RFU Safeguarding Bulletin
Please see attached the RFU Safeguarding Bulletin for June 2020. This contains important information about the restarting of the DBS process and a reminder about regulation 15. These are both issues that have come up in our recent video call catch ups.
Safeguarding Bulletin June 2020 – PDF
In addition, please also see a document, below, detailing some advice around the use of online platforms for communication, which you might find useful.
Communication with children – virtual platforms
The RFU recognises that Clubs have been looking at ways they they can stay in touch with their members and teams. Many are using virtual platforms which were designed for business, not children. Therefore there are potential inherent risks. By applying some existing and new guidance to these ways of engaging players some risks may be mitigated.
Please note that once lockdown and social distancing measures are reduced further then this type of communication will be discouraged.
There have been significant issues with the Zoom platform and Zoom Bombings. Please see https://thecpsu.org.uk/news/2020-05-nspcc-warns-of-zoom-security-risks/
The RFU recommend when engaging with children using these platforms whether in delivering a coaching session or an informal gathering such as quiz night or team meeting the below:
- No one to one communication must take place including messaging once in a group call.
- Consider the platform being used. Are privacy and confidential settings appropriate – i.e. password and waiting rooms? Meetings ID’s and passwords must not be shared on public and open social media.
- Parental awareness of what you intend to do is critical along with consent.
- All participants are aware of a code of conduct during the meeting including appropriate dress and the location of where they are participating from e.g. a bedroom would not be appropriate.
- The ‘ host ‘ of the call has control of the meeting including muting/ unmuting , screen and file sharing and waiting room, where only participants known to the host are allowed to enter.
- More than one coach or person in a position of trust taking part so not communicating with children in isolation. Club Safeguarding Officer to be made aware of the meeting and be provided with meeting ID and password.
- If a Zoom Bombing incident or similar should occur consider how this will be dealt e.g. host shutting down meeting, report to police if indecent graphic images are shared by the ‘Bomber’.
- Any disclosures or areas of concern that are you become aware of during these sessions should be dealt with as normal with a CSO and RFU Safeguarding Policy followed.
If online coaching occurs then the above applies in addition:
- No one to one coaching.
- Coaches are suitability qualified.
- Clubs have untaken a safer recruitment process with the coach including DBS clearance through the RFU.
- More than one coach so not working in isolation with children.
- The RFU expect the same standards of planning, risk assessment, adherence to laws of the game and coaching safe practice as a face to face session.
- Coaches must be providing guidance with the overall RFU instructions and work with the participant’s needs and capabilities.
Whilst clubs may consider that the recording of a meeting or coaching session may mitigate risk it should be considered whether this is necessary when other measures will be in place. Recording means that personal data (image) is captured and GDPR must be complied with in relation to storage and retention and deletion. If a meeting or coaching session is to be recorded participants / parents will need to be informed prior to the session so they can redraw if necessary.
The RFU do not recommend the use of Messenger Meeting Rooms for children due to lack of appropriate settings.
The Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) have some further advice https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/best-practice/remote-teaching-and-coaching
