Safeguarding our youngest TJs members.
Our Minis and Juniors are at the heart of the club, and keeping them safe and well looked after matters more than anything else we do. Anyone under the age of 18 is a child, and every one of them deserves to be treated with care and respect, every single Sunday.

The RFU Safeguarding Children Policy sets out the key principles behind this, along with plenty of practical, best practice guidance. Safeguarding is something we all share responsibility for, so whether you're a parent, a coach, a spectator, or a club official, this policy is well worth a read. It helps every one of us play our part in keeping rugby a safe and happy place for children.

To give our children the best possible experience of the game, we ask that everyone involved behaves to a high standard and operates within a clear, shared sense of what's right. This isn't just about protecting the children, although that always comes first. It also means rugby can make a real, positive difference to how they grow, and it protects everyone involved from any allegation of abuse or poor practice.

Reporting a Concern
If you ever have a concern, or you witness anything that looks like abuse or poor practice, please report it. It's really important that our Club Safeguarding Officer, Jo Carlier, is told as soon as possible, so that any concern can be handled properly and quickly. You can reach Jo at TJRFCSafeguarding@btinternet.com. Please never sit on a worry. If something doesn't feel right, tell us.

DBS Checks
Like all clubs, TJs follows the RFU's use of the Disclosure and Barring Service, or DBS (what many of us still think of as the CRB check). This is the criminal record checking process for anyone working with children or vulnerable adults. A caution or conviction doesn't automatically rule someone out of the game, as every situation is looked at on its own merits. All coaches, administrators, and anyone else actively involved with or with access to children at the club needs a current DBS certificate. If that's you, please get in touch with Jo with your details and your role at the club, and she'll help you get set up.

Welfare comes first, always.
Whatever the situation, TJs treats the welfare of the child as paramount. The forms and guidance below will help you to help us keep it that way.

Forms and Guidance
Everything you might need is gathered here in one place. Whether you're a parent wanting to understand how we keep children safe, or a coach or volunteer getting set up for the season, these are the documents to reach for. If you're ever unsure which one you need, Jo will happily point you in the right direction.

• TJRFC Safeguarding Policy — our full club policy, setting out how we keep every child safe at TJs.
• Safeguarding Referral Form — for raising a concern formally, so it reaches the right person quickly.
• TJRFC Accident Report Form — to record any injury or accident on or around the pitch.
• TJRFC Communicating with Children — our guidance on safe, appropriate contact with young players.
• TJRFC Missing Child Policy — the steps we follow, and what to do, if a child can't be located.
• Guide to DBS Safeguarding — step by step instructions for coaches and volunteers applying for a DBS check, including the volunteer application and self declaration form to complete and return.
• Data Protection Policy — how we look after your family's personal information.