1. Safeguarding Policy
   • Castleford Tigers Rugby League Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child, young person and vulnerable adult who has been entrusted to its care and is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all of its members.  A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 involved in any club football activity. A vulnerable adult is anyone who may be unable to take care of himself or herself or be unable to protect himself or herself against significant harm or exploitation.  We subscribe to the RFL Safeguarding (Revised version 2022) and Adults at Risk Policies and endorse and accept the Policy Statement contained in that document.
2. The key principles of the RFL Safeguarding Policy are that:
   • The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration
   • All children, young people and vulnerable adults have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, ethnic origin, gender, special needs, disability, class or social background, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, colour or political persuasion.
   • All suspicions and allegations of abuse or poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
3. We acknowledge that every child or young person or vulnerable adult 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.  This is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.
4. Castleford Tigers Rugby League Club has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying.  It is noted and accepted that the RFL Safeguarding Policy and related regulations applies to everybody in rugby league whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.  This means whether you are a volunteer, match official, helper, coach, club official or medical staff.
5. We endorse and adopt the RFL’s Safeguarding Policy on recruiting volunteers and staff and will follow the recruitment procedures as set out in that policy and summarised below:
   • • Develop a job description or role profile
     • As a minimum meet and chat with applicants and where possible conduct interviews before appointing
     • Request and follow up two references before appointing
     • Apply for an RFL DBS Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with RFL policy
   • All current Castleford Tigers Rugby League Club members with direct access to children, young people and vulnerable adults will be required to complete a DBS Enhanced disclosure via the RFL DBS unit.
     It is accepted that the RFL aims to prevent people with a history relevant and significant offending from having contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults and prevent them having the opportunity to influence policies or practice with children or young people. This is to prevent direct sexual or physical harm to children or young people or vulnerable adults and to minimise the risk of grooming within rugby league.
6. Castleford Tigers Rugby League Club supports the RFL’s Whistle Blowing Policy.  Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can whistle blow by contacting the RFL Safeguarding team (see details below).
7. Castleford Tigers Rugby League Club has appointed a Player Welfare Manager (PWM) in line with the RFL’s role profile.  The PWM will take part in training as defined in the RFL’s Safeguarding Education and Training Strategy.  The PWM is the first point of contact for all club members and parents/carers regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person or vulnerable adult.  The PWM will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns and will play a proactive role in increasing an awareness of poor practice and abuse amongst club members. In line with the RFL Safeguarding and Adults at Risk Policy, where necessary our Player Welfare Manager will work with the RFL Safeguarding Manager, who is responsible for the coordination of any statutory services involvement’.
8. We acknowledge and endorse the RFL’s Anti Bullying Policy.  Bullying of any kind is not acceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all players or parents/carers should be able to tell and to know that bullying will be dealt with promptly.  Incidents need to be reported to the CWM and in the case of serious bullying or adult on child bullying to the RFL Safeguarding Team.
9. The RESPECT Code of Conduct for coaches, players, officials, parents/carers, officials and coaches has been implemented by Castleford Tigers Rugby League Club.  The Club has a fair disciplinary system and clear sanctions to deal with any misconduct at club level and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be applied by Leagues or the RFL in more serious circumstances.  All prospective members will be informed of these codes.
10. Castleford Tigers want our young people to know where to go if they have an issue. We have been awarded Listening Club status by the RFL Safeguarding Team for the work that we do with our young people.

Further advice on Safeguarding matters can be obtained from:

• Keith Lambeth, Castleford Tigers, Player Welfare Manger
  Telephone:  07340 995350 Email: [email protected]
• The NSPCC Child Protection 24 hour Helpline 0808 800 5000
• The RFL Safeguarding Team
  Email: [email protected]

Kerry Simmons The RFL Safeguarding Manager can be contacted on Telephone: 07595 520 610.

Email: [email protected]

The RFL Safeguarding website is a good source of information and is available on –  Safeguarding (rugby-league.com) Through the website you can-

• Report a concern
• Access the RFL Safeguarding Policy
• Access information for parents and carers
• Access information for children and young people
• Access information for coaches and volunteers
• Access information on Listening Clubs
• Access information on DBS and apply for a DBS certificate

Castleford Tigers support the RFL’s action plan for inclusion and Diversity ‘Tackle it’ (2020-2025) Rugby League (rugby-league.com)

• We believe that everyone should be able to participate in and enjoy sport – whoever they are and whatever their background.
• We believe that sport is about fairness and equality, respect and dignity. Sport teaches individuals how to strive and succeed, how to cope with success and disappointment, and brings people together with a common goal.
• We are committed to making these values a reality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We will work together, and individually, to rid sport of homophobia and transphobia.
• We will make sport a welcome place for everyone – for those participating in sport, those attending sporting events and for those working or volunteering in sports at any level. We will work with all these groups to ensure they have a voice, and to challenge unacceptable behaviour.

Revised 19-06-2023