Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
Within a legal context, The Children Act 1989 defines a child as being up to the age of 18 years; it also defines harm and the roles and responsibilities of Children’s Social Care and the Police.

Old Cooperians R.F.C. is committed to safeguarding which means we endeavour to:

protect children from abuse and neglect;
prevent harm to a child’s health or development;
ensure all children are provided with safe and effective care whilst participating in rugby union at our club;
take action to enable all children and young people benefit from the core values of England R.F.U. by which Old Cooperians R.F.C. abide and uphold.

We are committed to providing a safe environment where our mini and youth players can enjoy rugby union. Our CSO and ASO have received safeguarding training and regularly maintain this to keep up-to-date with the latest safeguarding policies, procedures and guidelines as set out by England R.F.U. and statutory regulations. All of our coaches and mini & youth committee members are DBS checked and this check is renewed as necessary.
Any concerns relating to safeguarding should be directed to the designated safeguarding leads (featured above).

Safeguarding at Old Cooperians R.F.C. was recently audited by the constituent body Essex R.F.U. on behalf of England R.F.U. to ensure compliance with all current statutory regulations and guidelines and England R.F.U. affiliation guidelines. Links to our safeguarding policy can be found below.

Safeguarding Policy.

For further advice on reporting an issue, please refer to the England R.F.U. ‘Reporting An Issue’ page on the R.F.U. website.

Further information can also be obtained from the England RFU Safeguarding Children Policy.

If you are concerned that a child is in immediate danger of abuse or harm, please contact the police using 999.

Old Cooperians RFC are a volunteer run orgnaisation, if you are interested in joining our group of passionate rugby enthusiasts dedicated to introducing and developing rugby skills and the RFU's core values to children, please complete our volunteer recruitment form and return this to our Club Safeguarding Officer.