Safeguarding – Everyone’s Responsibility

Creating a safe, positive and inclusive environment for everyone involved in rugby.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re a parent, coach, volunteer, referee, player, club official or spectator, you have an important part to play in ensuring rugby is a safe, welcoming and enjoyable experience.

Staffordshire Rugby is committed to supporting its clubs and everyone involved in our game to understand their safeguarding responsibilities, recognise concerns and know where to seek advice or report an issue.

The RFU provides comprehensive safeguarding guidance, practical resources and policies to help clubs and individuals fulfil these responsibilities.

What Can You Do?

Parents and Carers

Take an active interest in your child’s rugby experience. Get to know your club’s Safeguarding Officer, make sure relevant medical, care and emergency contact information is up to date, and familiarise yourself with the club’s safeguarding arrangements.

Coaches and Team Managers

Create a positive, supportive environment where player welfare comes first. Understand your safeguarding responsibilities, follow appropriate coaching and communication practices, and know how to recognise and report concerns.

Club Officials and Volunteers

Help ensure safeguarding is embedded in everyday club activities. Familiarise yourself with RFU policies, understand the requirements relevant to your role, and support a culture where concerns can be raised and addressed appropriately.

Referees and Match Officials

Promote a safe and respectful playing environment, recognise potential safeguarding concerns and follow the appropriate reporting procedures when necessary.

Players and Spectators

Treat others with respect, contribute to a positive rugby environment and speak up if something doesn’t feel right. Everyone should feel safe, included and listened to.

RFU Safeguarding Guidance and Resources

The RFU has produced a range of practical guidance documents supporting its Safeguarding Policy and Regulation 21.

These resources explain mandatory safeguarding requirements and provide additional advice to help clubs adopt good practice.

RFU Safeguarding Handbook – Read Here

Safeguarding, Welfare and Reporting

• Sharing Concerns – Guidance

• When to Involve the Police

• Information for Those Who Have Had a Concern Raised Against Them

• DBS – Frequently Asked Questions

Safe Participation and Behaviour

• Encouraging Positive Behaviour

• Physical Intervention in Rugby

• Protocol for Contact in Rugby

• Safeguarding Considerations for Changing Rooms

• Parental Attendance at Rugby

Digital Safety, Photography and Recording

• Cyber Guidance

• Photography and Use of Imagery

• VEO Recording Guidance

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

If you have a safeguarding concern, don’t ignore it.

Contact your Club Safeguarding Officer or the RFU Safeguarding Team for advice and support.

Where someone is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services on 999.

Safeguarding concerns should be reported through the appropriate procedures and should not be investigated independently by individuals at the club.

Further Information

All clubs and individuals should familiarise themselves with the current RFU Safeguarding Policy and Regulation 21, together with the guidance relevant to their responsibilities.

Safeguarding is not simply a policy or a procedure. It’s how we look after one another, on and off the pitch.