The government has suspended legislation and regulations that were put forward by the previous government regarding child welfare and safeguarding matters.

Many people thought that the suggestions were too onerous.  The following is the text of a letter from the RFU on the matter, and it makes interesting reading.

Whatever, the welfare of all children and young people in our care is of paramount importance…

“On Tuesday the government announced the suspension of the introduction of ISA registrations, part of the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS), pending the outcome of a comprehensive review which is likely to result in the remodelling of the scheme with a more “common-sense” approach. The scope of the re-modelling process is currently being finalised and will be announced in due course.
Although registration with the ISA (which was due to begin from 26 July 2010) will not now go ahead in the current proposed form, the Independent Safeguarding Authority will continue to make barring decisions on individuals and will maintain the two ‘barring lists’.

The new safeguarding regulations introduced in October 2009 continue to apply to ‘Regulated Activity’:
•    A person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults will be breaking the law if they work or volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with those groups.
•    An organisation which knowingly employs someone who is barred to work with those groups will also be breaking the law.
•    If your organisation works with children or vulnerable adults and it dismisses a member of staff or a volunteer because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, or it would have done so if they had not left, then that organisation must tell the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
In the meantime the RFU, Constituent Bodies and clubs should continue to implement their existing safe recruitment and management processes, in line with RFU regulations, which will include CRB checks for relevant individuals and posts.
Constituent Bodies who have ISA workshops planned have been advised to postpone them until the review of the scheme has taken place.
The new CRB form, which has just gone into circulation ahead of the introduction of ISA registration, will continue to be used until further notice. A series of FAQs have been uploaded to the RUSafe safeguarding site regarding the introduction of the new form and how the ISA suspension has effected its completion by applicants.

For any further information please contact a member of the RFU Safeguarding Team on 0208 831 7454.”

Further information

Home Office press release – Vetting and Barring Scheme Halted

The General Committee has recently approved a new policy regarding the protection of our young players. The policy specifically deals with guidlines regarding the publication of photographs and personal details.

Clearly, the document is not exhaustive, and it is not possible to cover all possible eventualities.  The Club does, and will continue to take all reasonable steps, to safeguard those for whom they have a duty of care.

View Document PDF

For an up to date version of carlisle RFC Equity & Equality Policy document view the PDF

I am writing on behalf of Cumbria Rugby Union in order to explain the ‘New’ system which we have in place regarding Welfare Managers for the County.

Due to geographical constraints, it had been difficult to service the needs of the County with only one County Welfare Manager, so we have received special dispensation from the RFU to have 3 Welfare Managers covering the County.

All the relevant details are in the Attached PDF

Liam Nicholls, RFU Rugby Development Officer, Cumbria