At Oakham Rugby Club, we believe that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Coaches, managers, parents, and volunteers all play a vital role in ensuring children and young people enjoy rugby in a safe and supportive environment. These guidelines are designed to highlight the key issues involved and signpost the correct processes to follow.

Oakham RFC has a clear safeguarding policy in place, regularly reviewed and aligned with the RFU’s own safeguarding framework. You can find the RFU’s Child Safeguarding Policy here: England Rugby Safeguarding

If you have a safeguarding concern, please visit the RFU website for the full process: England Rugby - Sharing Concerns

England Rugby Safeguarding Process

Immediate danger or medical attention: If the child you are concerned about is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical help, call 999 without delay.

Parents or volunteers: Share your concern with the Club Safeguarding Officer. At Oakham RFC, the Safeguarding Officer is Pip Tebbs – email:

Club Safeguarding Officers: If you are a CSO, you should escalate your concern to your Constituent Body Safeguarding Manager.

If unavailable: You may also contact the RFU Safeguarding team directly at safeguarding@rfu.com

If unsure: You can contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 (open Monday–Friday, 10:00–16:00), or the unmanned RFU Safeguarding line on 0208 831 6655. A member of the RFU Safeguarding team will respond within 24 hours.

Objectives

It is the responsibility of every adult involved at Oakham RFC to ensure that children can play rugby in a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environment.
Safeguarding covers more than just physical or sexual abuse – it also includes emotional abuse, neglect, bullying, and discrimination based on race, gender, ability, or any other factor. Coaches, managers, and volunteers must always remain vigilant and act in the best interests of the children.

Coaching

All Oakham RFC coaches and team managers are registered club members and complete DBS checks in line with RFU requirements.

The club requires coaches to attend RFU-approved training courses, appropriate to their level, which include safeguarding awareness.

This ensures both high-quality coaching standards and consistent safeguarding awareness across all Mini, Junior, and Youth age groups.

For details on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application process, please contact the Club Safeguarding Officer, Pip Tebbs: safeguardingofficer@oakhamrfc.com

Parents

Parents are expected to be aware of Oakham RFC’s safeguarding policy and play an active role in supporting it.

Children should not be left unaccompanied at training sessions or matches unless arrangements have been clearly agreed with the coach/manager, and a contact number is provided in case of emergency.

In certain circumstances, such as when media are present (e.g. filming or photography), written parental consent may be required.

Parents are encouraged to cooperate fully with safeguarding measures and support the club’s safeguarding culture.

Incidents

Any safeguarding concerns can be raised in confidence with the Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO) or their Assistant.
In the event of a serious incident, a comprehensive incident report form is available on the RFU website: Download RFU Incident Report Form

Safeguarding Officer – Oakham RFC:
Pip Tebbs. Email