Club Safeguarding Officers

Each Club is required to have a Club Safeguarding Officer (SO) appointed and confirmed to their Regional Manager as part of the Club Sustainability Award. Details should also be confirmed on the SCRUMS data management system.

Clubs should notify any changes in their SO details by emailing [email protected].

The SO role is an important one and should cover the following broad areas:

• Work with other member of the club to ensure that children enjoy a welcoming, safe, friendly and helpful environment
• Ensure the club has a Child Protection / Safeguarding Policy that is available on the club website, available on request and understands the principles in the policy
• SO name and contact details are visible in the clubhouse, on the club website and that they are visible and approachable at the club (within reasonable parameters).
• Complete Child Protection and Safeguarding Training within 3 months of their appointment.
• SO must be Members of the PVG Scheme.
• SO to manage the PVG Memberships within the club. Any person carrying out a REGULATED ROLE must have a PVG number which should be notified against the Youth Coach listed in SCRUMS. (details of the PVG process follow below)
• SO should keep a record of all PVG numbers.
• Take responsibility for dealing with concerns, contacting the relevant people to take forward – either through Scottish Rugby Safeguarding Team, NSPCC/Children 1st or Police Scotland if required.

Help and support for Club SOs is available through the Scottish Rugby Safeguarding Team ([email protected]) or 0131 346 5000.