SAFEGUARDING

Safeguarding Children – Policies and Procedures

1) Bradford Bulls Rugby League Football club acknowledges its responsibility in safeguarding the welfare of all young people who either play or fall into a non-playing role in the club’s care. The club remains wholly committed to providing a safe environment for all playing/non-playing members. A child or young person is defined as any person under 18 years of age that is engaged in any Rugby League activity. We subscribe to the RFL Safeguarding Policy statement contained in that document.

2) The key principles of the RFL Safeguarding Policy are as follows:

• The child’s welfare is, and must always be the paramount consideration
• All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse, regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, faith or belief
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
• Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents/carers is essential

Bradford Bulls RLFC acknowledge that every child or young person who plays or participates in Rugby League should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse.

We, as a club, recognise that this is the responsibility of every adult within the Bradford Bulls organisation.

3) Bradford Bulls RLFC acknowledges we an important role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual, or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. We acknowledge that the RFL Safeguarding Children Policy applies to everyone in Rugby League, whether in a voluntary or paid capacity. This includes whether you are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, coach, club official, medical or first aid staff or a spectator.

4) We endorse and adopt the RFL Safer Recruitment Guidelines for recruiting volunteers and we will:

• Specify what the role is and what tasks it involves
• Request identification documents
• As a minimum, meet and chat with the applicant and where possible interview them before appointing them
• Ask for and follow up with two references before appointing someone
• Where eligible require a RFL enhanced DBS

All current members of staff at the Bradford Bulls working with children and young people must hold a current RFL enhanced DBS certificate, as part of responsible recruitment practice. Guidance will be sought from the RFL Safeguarding Team if any concerns arise regarding the appropriateness of someone who is involved or wants to become involved with the club.  

It is accepted that the RFL aims to prevent people with a history of relevant and significant offending from having contact with children or young people and the opportunity to influence policies or practices with children and young people. This is to minimise the risk of direct sexual or physical harm to children and the risk of grooming within Rugby League.

5) Bradford Bulls RLFC supports the RFL Whistle Blowing Policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about an adult in a position of trust within Rugby League can ‘whistle blow’ by contacting the RFL by emailing safeguarding@rfl.uk.com or ringing 07595 520610, alternatively, by going directly to the Police, Children’s Social Care or the NSPCC. We encourage everyone to know about the RFL Whistle Blowing Policy and to utilise it if necessary.

6) Bradford Bulls RLFC has already appointed a Club Welfare Officer (CWO), in line with requirements of the RFL Safeguarding Children Policy. This CWO will take part in all training required for this post and will take up any ongoing CPD as determined by the RFL. The CWO is the first point of contact for all club members regarding concerns about the welfare of any child or young person. The CWO will be trained on the procedures for referring concerns and will liaise directly with the RFL Safeguarding Manager. They will also be proactive in increasing awareness of Respect, poor practice, touchline behaviour and abuse amongst club members.

7) Bradford Bulls RLFC acknowledge and endorse the RFL’s identification of bullying as a category of abuse. Bullying of any kind (this includes cyber bullying) is not acceptable at our club and we will take a stance of zero tolerance. If bullying does occur, all players and or parents/carers should be able to report and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the CWO and in cases of serious bullying the RFL Safeguarding Manager will be contacted.

8) All Bradford Bulls members of staff have signed codes of conduct. The club will take action against repeated or serious misconduct at club level and acknowledge the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by the club or the RFL Safeguarding Case Management Group.

9) Reporting concerns about the welfare of a child or young person is everyone’s responsibility. If you are worried about a child it is important that you report your concerns – no action is not an option.

i) If you are worried about a child then you need to report to the Club Welfare Officer.

ii) If the issue is of poor practice the CWO will either

• Deal with the matter themselves
• Seek advice from the RFL Safeguarding Manager

iii) If the concern is more serious – possible child abuse, where possible contact the CWO first, then immediately contact the Police or Children’s Social Care

iv) If the child needs immediate medical treatment, take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them this is a child protection concern. Let your CWO know what action you have taken, they in turn will inform the RFL Safeguarding Manager

v) If at any time, you are not able to contact your CWO or the matter is clearly serious you can either

• Contact the RFL Safeguarding Manager (details below)
• Contact the Police or Children’s Social Care
• Call the NSPCC Helpline for advice (0808 800 5000) 

The RFL Safeguarding Policy and Procedures are available on the RFL Website.

Please go to Child Welfare and click on Safeguarding Children. The Safeguarding policy can be found under Parents and Carers, CWOs and Coaches and Volunteers section.

10) Further advice and guidance on safeguarding children matters can be obtained from: Leigh Beattie - leigh.beattie@bradfordbulls.co.uk.

Odsal Stadium, Bradford, BD6 1BS. 0333 323 5075.