Bugbrooke Rugby Club Safeguarding Policy
Bugbrooke Rugby Club is committed to ensuring that all children, young people, and vulnerable adults participate in rugby within a safe, positive, and inclusive environment. Safeguarding is the responsibility of every coach, volunteer, parent, player and committee member.
This policy aligns with:
• RFU Safeguarding Policy
• RFU Safeguarding Children Policy
• RFU Regulation 21 – Safeguarding
• RFU Regulation 15 – Age Grade Rugby
________________________________________
1. Club Safeguarding Values & Principles
Bugbrooke Rugby Club follows the Quilter Kids First Charter, which ensures:
• Children are placed at the centre of all decisions.
• Fun and equal opportunities underpin coaching and match involvement.
• Coaches provide a safe, respectful, healthy environment.
• Confidence and character are developed through rugby.
These principles support the RFU's expectation that all adults behave ethically and model exemplary behaviour.
________________________________________
2. Safeguarding Roles & Responsibilities
2.1 Everyone at the Club
Every member must:
• Protect children from harm
• Promote safe physical and online environments
• Report concerns immediately
2.2 Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO)
Name: Sean Getty
Email: sean03@live.co.uk
Phone: 07591 262738
2.3 CB Safeguarding Manager (Secondary Contact)
Name: Steve Minney
Email: steve.minney@emru.co.uk
Phone: 07747 830267
Provides safeguarding oversight for the East Midlands RFU and supports clubs with escalated or serious cases.
________________________________________
3. Coaches & Volunteers
3.1 Safer Recruitment
Under RFU Regulation 21, all adults working with children must hold an Enhanced RFU approved DBS check.
Bugbrooke RFC’s DBS process:
• New volunteers receive an email from the RFU to initiate their DBS.
• A £6 verification fee is required (reimbursed if required by the club after successful clearance).
• Volunteers must submit ID documents (passport, driving licence, utility bill).
• No coach may run a session alone or unsupervised.
This follows RFU safer recruitment principles.
________________________________________
3.2 Mandatory Coach Training
All coaches must complete the following mandatory RFU courses:
Required Modules
• Intro to Safeguarding (eLearning) — compulsory for all working with children.
• Play It Safe (Face to Face) — required for coaches and team managers.
• HEADCASE Concussion Awareness — mandatory annually.
• Age Grade Coaching Courses (Kids First Model) — as relevant to the age group coached.
Tackle Safe
Coaches involved in contact rugby (U9+) must complete the RFU Tackle Safe eLearning module.
RFU guidance emphasises:
• Tackling is the highest risk area for injury.
• Safe tackle technique increases player safety and confidence.
• Tackle Safe is free, booked through the RFU Course Finder, and needs to be completed annually.
________________________________________
3.3 Coach Behaviour & Duty of Care
All coaches must:
• Act as positive role models
• Maintain visible supervision (never be alone with a child)
• Uphold RFU core values
• Ensure sessions are safe, inclusive, and age appropriate
________________________________________
4. Safeguarding During Training & Matches
4.1 Pitch Side Supervision
• A parent/guardian must remain pitch side at all Mini & Junior sessions.
• A nominated adult may be arranged if absolutely necessary.
• Children should arrive “ready to train” and go directly to their designated area.
4.2 First Aid Requirements
• Each team should have two First Aid trained adults where possible.
• A full first aid kit must be available for every session.
• Coaches must be familiar with the Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
First Aid Officer
Name: Lisa Witts Hunt
Phone: 07411 619055
Email: lisawh50@gmail.com
________________________________________
5. Age Grade Rugby (U6–U18)
5.1 Definition
A child is anyone under 18.
5.2 RFU Regulation 15 Compliance
Bugbrooke RFC adheres to Regulation 15 regarding:
• Correct placement within age grades
• Age appropriate contact progression and match rules
• Annual GMS registration within 45 days of joining
5.3 Registration & Membership Administration
• Age group Admins ensure players are correctly registered.
• The club supports families with financial difficulties discreetly.
________________________________________
6. Online Safety
6.1 Coach–Player Digital Boundaries
Coaches must NOT:
• Communicate privately with children on social media
• Friend/follow children
• Comment on children’s posts
“No social media groups should be set up between coaches and minors.”
All communication must be through parents/guardians.
6.2 Online Conduct Requirements
Members must avoid:
• Abusive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content
• Re posting harmful material
6.3 Protecting Children Online
The club encourages children to speak up about harmful online behaviour.
________________________________________
7. Under 18s Playing Adult Rugby
Bugbrooke RFC follows RFU Regulation 15 regarding 17 year olds participating in adult rugby.
7.1 Eligibility
• 17 year olds are not automatically eligible.
• Physical and emotional suitability must be assessed.
• They must not play in the front row.
7.2 Approval Procedure
1. Club Approval Form submitted to the Constituent Body (CB).
2. Player Approval Form completed for each player.
3. Approval must be renewed annually.
4. Players must be registered correctly in GMS for adult rugby.
________________________________________
8. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
Safeguarding concerns must be raised immediately.
Primary Contact – Club Safeguarding Officer
Sean Getty
Email: sean03@live.co.uk
Phone: 07591 262738
Secondary Contact – CB Safeguarding Manager (East Midlands RU)
Steve Minney
Email: steve.minney@emru.co.uk
Phone: 07747 830267
Concerns may also be escalated to:
• RFU Safeguarding Team
• Police or Local Authority where urgent
All concerns follow RFU Regulation 21 safeguarding procedures.
________________________________________
9. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if:
• RFU policies are updated
• Law/policy changes occur
• Safeguarding incidents require review
Bugbrooke Rugby Club is committed to ensuring that all children, young people, and vulnerable adults participate in rugby within a safe, positive, and inclusive environment. Safeguarding is the responsibility of every coach, volunteer, parent, player and committee member.
This policy aligns with:
• RFU Safeguarding Policy
• RFU Safeguarding Children Policy
• RFU Regulation 21 – Safeguarding
• RFU Regulation 15 – Age Grade Rugby
________________________________________
1. Club Safeguarding Values & Principles
Bugbrooke Rugby Club follows the Quilter Kids First Charter, which ensures:
• Children are placed at the centre of all decisions.
• Fun and equal opportunities underpin coaching and match involvement.
• Coaches provide a safe, respectful, healthy environment.
• Confidence and character are developed through rugby.
These principles support the RFU's expectation that all adults behave ethically and model exemplary behaviour.
________________________________________
2. Safeguarding Roles & Responsibilities
2.1 Everyone at the Club
Every member must:
• Protect children from harm
• Promote safe physical and online environments
• Report concerns immediately
2.2 Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO)
Name: Sean Getty
Email: sean03@live.co.uk
Phone: 07591 262738
2.3 CB Safeguarding Manager (Secondary Contact)
Name: Steve Minney
Email: steve.minney@emru.co.uk
Phone: 07747 830267
Provides safeguarding oversight for the East Midlands RFU and supports clubs with escalated or serious cases.
________________________________________
3. Coaches & Volunteers
3.1 Safer Recruitment
Under RFU Regulation 21, all adults working with children must hold an Enhanced RFU approved DBS check.
Bugbrooke RFC’s DBS process:
• New volunteers receive an email from the RFU to initiate their DBS.
• A £6 verification fee is required (reimbursed if required by the club after successful clearance).
• Volunteers must submit ID documents (passport, driving licence, utility bill).
• No coach may run a session alone or unsupervised.
This follows RFU safer recruitment principles.
________________________________________
3.2 Mandatory Coach Training
All coaches must complete the following mandatory RFU courses:
Required Modules
• Intro to Safeguarding (eLearning) — compulsory for all working with children.
• Play It Safe (Face to Face) — required for coaches and team managers.
• HEADCASE Concussion Awareness — mandatory annually.
• Age Grade Coaching Courses (Kids First Model) — as relevant to the age group coached.
Tackle Safe
Coaches involved in contact rugby (U9+) must complete the RFU Tackle Safe eLearning module.
RFU guidance emphasises:
• Tackling is the highest risk area for injury.
• Safe tackle technique increases player safety and confidence.
• Tackle Safe is free, booked through the RFU Course Finder, and needs to be completed annually.
________________________________________
3.3 Coach Behaviour & Duty of Care
All coaches must:
• Act as positive role models
• Maintain visible supervision (never be alone with a child)
• Uphold RFU core values
• Ensure sessions are safe, inclusive, and age appropriate
________________________________________
4. Safeguarding During Training & Matches
4.1 Pitch Side Supervision
• A parent/guardian must remain pitch side at all Mini & Junior sessions.
• A nominated adult may be arranged if absolutely necessary.
• Children should arrive “ready to train” and go directly to their designated area.
4.2 First Aid Requirements
• Each team should have two First Aid trained adults where possible.
• A full first aid kit must be available for every session.
• Coaches must be familiar with the Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
First Aid Officer
Name: Lisa Witts Hunt
Phone: 07411 619055
Email: lisawh50@gmail.com
________________________________________
5. Age Grade Rugby (U6–U18)
5.1 Definition
A child is anyone under 18.
5.2 RFU Regulation 15 Compliance
Bugbrooke RFC adheres to Regulation 15 regarding:
• Correct placement within age grades
• Age appropriate contact progression and match rules
• Annual GMS registration within 45 days of joining
5.3 Registration & Membership Administration
• Age group Admins ensure players are correctly registered.
• The club supports families with financial difficulties discreetly.
________________________________________
6. Online Safety
6.1 Coach–Player Digital Boundaries
Coaches must NOT:
• Communicate privately with children on social media
• Friend/follow children
• Comment on children’s posts
“No social media groups should be set up between coaches and minors.”
All communication must be through parents/guardians.
6.2 Online Conduct Requirements
Members must avoid:
• Abusive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content
• Re posting harmful material
6.3 Protecting Children Online
The club encourages children to speak up about harmful online behaviour.
________________________________________
7. Under 18s Playing Adult Rugby
Bugbrooke RFC follows RFU Regulation 15 regarding 17 year olds participating in adult rugby.
7.1 Eligibility
• 17 year olds are not automatically eligible.
• Physical and emotional suitability must be assessed.
• They must not play in the front row.
7.2 Approval Procedure
1. Club Approval Form submitted to the Constituent Body (CB).
2. Player Approval Form completed for each player.
3. Approval must be renewed annually.
4. Players must be registered correctly in GMS for adult rugby.
________________________________________
8. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
Safeguarding concerns must be raised immediately.
Primary Contact – Club Safeguarding Officer
Sean Getty
Email: sean03@live.co.uk
Phone: 07591 262738
Secondary Contact – CB Safeguarding Manager (East Midlands RU)
Steve Minney
Email: steve.minney@emru.co.uk
Phone: 07747 830267
Concerns may also be escalated to:
• RFU Safeguarding Team
• Police or Local Authority where urgent
All concerns follow RFU Regulation 21 safeguarding procedures.
________________________________________
9. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if:
• RFU policies are updated
• Law/policy changes occur
• Safeguarding incidents require review
