Safeguarding/ Welfare/Diversity role. This is a summary of what is expected.
The Safeguarding Officer must ensure the whole club is following the RFU safeguarding policy. This includes players, coaches, parents and officials.
This role would suit someone with older children, probably from 13 and above that do not need constant supervision. This is because if anything comes to light on a Sunday or people need things done or need to speak to you it is not easy to juggle. A lot of helping of new comers register on a Sunday etc. takes your time as well
Regular jobs
On GMS click in the 9 dots in the left corner then go to RugbySafe and Player Welfare.
Every July the Risk assessment and MEAP must be completed.
Click on Questionnaires and complete the Safeguarding Self audit every July.
PLAYING ADULT RUGBY - CLUB APPROVAL FORM this MUST be completed before every season so those 16/17-year-olds who wish to play up can do so. They cannot if you do not do the form. Other forms for merging teams or allowing other children to play up or down are available at All documents from the Rugby Football Union You need to follow regulation 15 for completing these. RFU Regulation 15 – Age Grade Rugby
If a player becomes injured and has to stay in hospital, then you must fill in a webform- RFU IPF Injury.
All information can be found on
Information for Club Safeguarding Officers
This link gives Safeguarding leads help and information on the role. We follow regulation 21 for Safeguarding and Welfare. RFU Regulation 21 – Safeguarding
Whilst in role you MUST complete the GMS Headcase and e safeguarding courses yearly. Play it Safe and In Touch courses MUST be completed, but these are one offs. These courses can be found on your GMS profile.
I keep a spreadsheet of all Coaches and First Aiders involved in the club because as safeguarding officer you are responsible for initiating their DBS every 3 years. The RFU will give you access. You must organise First aid courses for those whose first Aid Qualification runs out, or for new First Aiders. The Qualification must be renewed every 3 years. Coaches should also have the Play it Safe qualification which you must organise the course. The provider I use for both Play it Safe and First Aid is Matthew Saunders mattrfufirstaidinstructor@gmail.com
Coaches and Fist aiders are supposed to complete the e safeguarding and Headcase each year, I check if they have done it on GMS.
Each Sunday I walk round the teams to check there are no issues. I liaise closely with Zoe New who is Junior Director of Rugby and my Safeguarding assistant- she tends to complete the individual age grade playing out of age forms, otherwise you must do the lot. If there are any discipline issues e.g. fights or verbal abuse, I liaise with Mike Walmsley (my husband) who is the club secretary and Discipline officer. If any rules have been broken, then you may have to attend a discipline meeting with Mike.
Occasionally I am expected attend meetings for Safeguarding officers. The main contact for Warwickshire Safeguarding is Jane Waterhouse janewrfu@gmail.com and Diversity is Peter Grieves-Smith petergrievessmith@gmail.com .
