Code of Conduct:
ABERFELDY RUGBY CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR ADULTS WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (download in Word format)
A Code of Conduct has several important functions:
- It sets out what behaviour is acceptable and unacceptable and provides transparency for all on what practice and behaviours to expect from others
- It defines standards of practice expected from those to whom it applies
- It forms the basis for challenging and improving poor practice and behaviour.
Aberfeldy Rugby Club supports and requires all members to observe the following standards of practice, including verbal and non-verbal when working/volunteering with children and young people.
All concerns about breach of this Code of Conduct will be taken seriously and dealt with in line with Aberfeldy Rugby Club appropriate policy/procedure. This may include the Responding to Concerns Procedure, Complaints Procedure, and/or Disciplinary Procedure.
GOOD PRACTICE
- Make rugby fun, enjoyable and promote fair play.
- Treat all children and young people equally, with respect, dignity and fairness. Challenge where you see adults, children, or young people participating in disrespectful or bullying behaviour.
- Involve parents/carers wherever possible.
- Build balanced relationships based on mutual trust.
- Include children and young people in decision-making processes.
- Always work in an open environment, wherever possible. Avoid private or unobserved situations.
- Put the wellbeing of each child or young person first; before winning or achieving performance goals.
- Be an excellent role model including not smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or swearing in the company of children or young people.
- Recognise the developmental needs and capacity of children and young people.
- Avoid excessive training and competition; pushing children and young people against their will or putting undue pressure on them.
- Follow Aberfeldy Rugby Club Digital Communication and Social Media guidance in relation to communicating with children and young people.
Practice to be avoided
In the context of your role with Aberfeldy Rugby Club, the following should be avoided:
- Having ‘favourites’- this could lead to misinterpretation, or resentment and jealousy by other children and young people.
- Spending excessive amounts of time alone with children and young people away from others.
- Entering children and young people’s bedrooms on trips away from home, unless in an emergency or in the interest of health and safety.
- Where possible, doing things of a personal nature for children or young people that they can do for themselves.
- Contacting children and young people outside Aberfeldy Rugby Club Digital Communication and Social Media Guidance.
Unacceptable Practice
In the context of your role within Aberfeldy Rugby Club, the following practices are unacceptable:
- Allowing allegations made by a child or young person, or about the wellbeing and protection of a child or young person, to go unrecorded and unreported.
- Forming intimate emotional, physical or sexual relationships with children and young people.
- Making sexually suggestive comments to a child or young person, allowing or engaging in touching a child or person in a sexually suggestive manner, or engaging in sexually provocative games.
- Being physically violent towards a child or young person.
- Allowing children or young people to swear or use sexualised language unchallenged.
- Behaving in a coercive or controlling manner towards a child or young person.
- Allowing a child or young person to share a room alone with a coach or adult member or inviting a child or young person into your home.
ABERFELDY RUGBY CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS/CARERS
- Remember that children and young people play for enjoyment as well as competition.
- Remember that your behaviour may affect not only your child but the other children and young people participating.
- Stay outside the field of play and in the Spectator’s Area (where provided)
- Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour.
- Always respect the match officials’ decisions.
- Applaud effort and good play as well as success.
- Let the coaches do their job and not confuse the players or athletes by telling them what to do.
- Encourage the players and athletes to respect the opposition and match officials.
- Never criticise a player or athlete for making a mistake. Remember that mistakes are important part of learning and wellbeing.
- Pass on any concerns that you have about the wellbeing of a child or young person to a club official.
I understand that breaches of the code may result in action by Aberfeldy Rugby Club.
If you have any concerns about the wellbeing of a child or young person at the club, you can contact Aberfeldy Rugby Club’s Child Protection Officer Ross Dempster at Ross@beyondadventure.co.uk, Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport on 0141 419 1156 or Children 1st ParentLine:080000 28 22 33.
ABERFELDY RUGBY CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR ADULTS WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Adults at Aberfeldy Rugby Club should help to make sports safe and fun. This is your job too. This means respecting other players/athletes and the people who are there to help you to learn. You should do this by:
- Being ready and on time for training and competition.
- Respecting the coach and other helpers.
- Accepting what the coach or match officials ask you to do in the rules of the game.
- Playing to the best of your ability
- Never swearing at or insulting anyone, including other players.
- Telling your parents or carers where you are, or if you are going to be late.
- Following advice from sport doctors or physios to keep you safe and injury free.
- Never bully other players/ athletes either yourself or in a group.
Bullying can happen between children or between adults and children. It means things like:
- Name calling
- Making fun at someone’s expense
- Giving only negative feedback
- Hitting
- Shoving
- Stealing
- Damaging belongings
- Spreading rumours
- Making threats
- Sending/posting nasty messages
- Leaving people out on purpose.
If you are worried about something don’t keep it to yourself. Speak to an adult who you know and trust such as a parent, coach, teacher, the Child Protection Officer at your club, a guidance teacher, doctors or school nurse.
If there isn’t anyone you can talk to, you can contact Childline in Scotland on 0800 1111 or at childline.org.uk. It’s free, private and confidential.
Safeguarding- last updated April 2023