BackSafeguarding
Dartfordians RFC
Safeguarding Policy
October 2025
1. Dartfordians RFC acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the
welfare of all children involved in Dartfordians RFC from harm.
2. Dartfordians RFC confirms that it adheres to the Rugby Football
Union’s Safeguarding Policy and the procedures, practices and
guidelines and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in
that document and any successor policy.
3. A child is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any rugby union
activity. However, where a 17 year old male player is playing in the
adult game it is essential that every reasonable precaution is taken to
ensure his safety and wellbeing are protected.
4. The Key Principles of the RFU Safeguarding Policy are that:
• The welfare of the child 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.
• 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. Dartfordians RFC 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. Dartfordians RFC recognises that this is the responsibility of
everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.
6. Dartfordians RFC will implement and comply with the RFU Code of
Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators and
Officials as appropriate.
7. The Club Safeguarding Officer is Emma Downie who can be contacted
on safeguarding-officer@dartfordiansrfc.co.uk or 07359 058389. If you
witness or are aware of an incident where the welfare of a child has
been put at risk you must, in the first instance, inform the Club
Safeguarding Officer. They will then inform the CB Safeguarding
Manager and the RFU Safeguarding Team. If an incident involves the
Club Safeguarding Officer you should inform the Chairman and either
the CB Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Team.
8. All members of Dartfordians RFC who work with children in Regulated
Activity must undertake an RFU Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
check in accordance with RFU Regulation 21.
9. Dartfordians RFC will ensure that all its members, whether they are
coaches, parents, players or officials will comply with the Best Practice
Guidance 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.
• Consuming alcohol whilst responsible for children.
• Providing alcohol to children or allowing its supply.
• Smoking in the presence of children.
• Humiliating children.
• Inappropriate or unnecessary physical contact with a child.
• Participating in, or allowing, contact or physical games with
children.
• Having an intimate or sexual relationship with any child developed
as a result of being in a ‘position of trust.’
• Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit
material.
10. Dartfordians RFC manages the changing facilities and arranges for
them to be supervised by two DBS checked adults of the appropriate
gender for the players using the facilities. Dartfordians RFC 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.
11. Dartfordians RFC will ensure that its coaches and team managers will
receive the support and training considered appropriate to their
position and role.
12. Any events held on Dartfordians RFC 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 Dartfordians RFC must comply with the relevant RFU
Regulations and Guidance relating to tours.
Safeguarding Policy
October 2025
1. Dartfordians RFC acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the
welfare of all children involved in Dartfordians RFC from harm.
2. Dartfordians RFC confirms that it adheres to the Rugby Football
Union’s Safeguarding Policy and the procedures, practices and
guidelines and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in
that document and any successor policy.
3. A child is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any rugby union
activity. However, where a 17 year old male player is playing in the
adult game it is essential that every reasonable precaution is taken to
ensure his safety and wellbeing are protected.
4. The Key Principles of the RFU Safeguarding Policy are that:
• The welfare of the child 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.
• 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. Dartfordians RFC 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. Dartfordians RFC recognises that this is the responsibility of
everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.
6. Dartfordians RFC will implement and comply with the RFU Code of
Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators and
Officials as appropriate.
7. The Club Safeguarding Officer is Emma Downie who can be contacted
on safeguarding-officer@dartfordiansrfc.co.uk or 07359 058389. If you
witness or are aware of an incident where the welfare of a child has
been put at risk you must, in the first instance, inform the Club
Safeguarding Officer. They will then inform the CB Safeguarding
Manager and the RFU Safeguarding Team. If an incident involves the
Club Safeguarding Officer you should inform the Chairman and either
the CB Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Team.
8. All members of Dartfordians RFC who work with children in Regulated
Activity must undertake an RFU Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
check in accordance with RFU Regulation 21.
9. Dartfordians RFC will ensure that all its members, whether they are
coaches, parents, players or officials will comply with the Best Practice
Guidance 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.
• Consuming alcohol whilst responsible for children.
• Providing alcohol to children or allowing its supply.
• Smoking in the presence of children.
• Humiliating children.
• Inappropriate or unnecessary physical contact with a child.
• Participating in, or allowing, contact or physical games with
children.
• Having an intimate or sexual relationship with any child developed
as a result of being in a ‘position of trust.’
• Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit
material.
10. Dartfordians RFC manages the changing facilities and arranges for
them to be supervised by two DBS checked adults of the appropriate
gender for the players using the facilities. Dartfordians RFC 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.
11. Dartfordians RFC will ensure that its coaches and team managers will
receive the support and training considered appropriate to their
position and role.
12. Any events held on Dartfordians RFC 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 Dartfordians RFC must comply with the relevant RFU
Regulations and Guidance relating to tours.