Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy

1. Brighton Football Club (RFU) [the Club] acknowledges its responsibility to
safeguard the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults involved in the Club from harm.

2. The Club confirms that it adheres to the Rugby Football Union's Safeguarding
Policy and the procedures, practices and guidelines. The Club endorses and adopts the Policy Statement contained in that document (a hard copy can be found in the main office at the club and on the website).

3. A child is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any rugby union activity.
However, when a male/female player aged 17, is playing in the adult game it is
essential that every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure his/her safety and
wellbeing are protected.

4. The Key Principles of the RFU Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy are that:
The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult (as appropriate) is, and must always be, paramount to any other considerations. All participants regardless of age, gender, ability or disability, race, faith, culture, size, shape, language or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse or harm. All allegations or
suspicions of abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately. Working in partnership with other organisations, statutory agencies, parents, carers, children and young people is essential for the welfare of children and young people. Children have a right to
expect support, and personal and social development delivered by an
appropriately recruited, vetted and managed in relation to their participation
in rugby union, whether they are playing, volunteering or officiating in the
community or professional areas of the sport.

5. The Club recognises that all children have the right to participate in sport in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment whilst at the same time being protected from abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice. Brighton Football Club (RFU) recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the Club.

6. The Club will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Referees, First Aiders, Spectators and Officials as appropriate. Brighton RFC (RFU) will ensure its spectators, parents, members and officials are all aware of and have accepted the club Photographic Policy as set out in the club welcome pack and on the website.

7. The Club will endeavour to comply with the Guidance for Websites as set out on the RFU website and appendixed to this document.

8. The Club Safeguarding Officer is:
Chris Broadley.
Mobile: +44 (0) 7518 666695
Email: dbs@brightonrugby.co.uk

If you witness or are aware of an incident where the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult has been put at risk you must in the first instance inform the Club Safeguarding team or age group Coach in their absence. They will then inform the Club Safeguarding Team and Constituent Body (CB) Safeguarding Manager and the RFU Safeguarding Executive. If an incident involves the Club Safeguarding Officer you should inform the Club's Mini and Youth Chairman or any member of the Club Committee and either the CB Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Executive.

9. All members of the Club who have a regular supervisory contact with children or a management responsibility for those working with children must undertake an RFU Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure (DBS check) and must also be ISA-registered in accordance with the RFU ISA-registration Policy.

10. The Club will ensure that all its members, whether they are coaches, parents, players or officials will comply with the Best Practice Guidance (BPG) as issued by the RFU. In summary, the following are NOT acceptable and will be treated seriously by the club and may result in disciplinary action being taken by the club, the CB or the RFU:

• Working alone with a child, children, vulnerable adult, or adults.
• Consuming alcohol whilst responsible for children or vulnerable adults.
• Providing alcohol to children or allowing its supply.
• Smoking in the presence of children.
• Humiliating children or vulnerable adults.
• Inappropriate or unnecessary physical contact with a child or vulnerable adult.
• Using inappropriate and or unnecessary foul language, aimed towards a child or vulnerable adult.
• Participating in, or allowing, contact or physical games with children or vulnerable adults.
• Having an intimate or sexual relationship with any child or vulnerable adult developed as a result of being in a position of trust.
• Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material.

11. The Club manages the changing facilities and arranges for them to be supervised by two adults (ISA-registered and RFU CRB checked) of the appropriate gender for the players using the facilities. The Club ensures that all its coaches, parents, officials and spectators are aware that adults must not change at the same time, using the same facilities as children or vulnerable adults.

12. The Club will ensure that its coaches and team managers will receive the support and training considered appropriate to their position and role. The RFU "Managing Challenging Behaviour" Policy has been adopted and circulated amongst the club workforce both, voluntary and paid.

13. Use of video, film or photography at the Club youth events is controlled. Any person wishing to engage in photography, filming or videoing at any match, training session or event connected with any Club young person event must be authorised by a member of the Club Safeguarding team or qualified DBS-checked coach, preferably prior to the event. A record will be made of the request, and the person making it. A record will be made as to whether permission was granted or refused and the reasons for so doing.

14. Any events held on the Club's premises must comply with this Policy and if appropriate a Safeguarding Plan should be discussed and circulated to those
affected. Any tours, overseas or domestic, undertaken by Brighton RFC must comply with the relevant RFU Regulations and Guidance relating to tours.