The WRU over the last 12 months have been working towards achieving standards within the national child protection framework. The framework, which has been jointly developed by the NSPCC Cymru/Wales’ Child Protection in Sport Unit and Sport Wales, provides practical support for sporting organisations and groups throughout Wales to help raise child protection standards within their sport.
The development of the framework has been based on current good practice in the sporting community and has been influenced by legislation and guidance drawing from both fields of safeguarding and sport- enabling sporting organisations to meet their statutory requirements.
Sport Wales and NSPCC Cymru/Wales identified nine sports in Wales to achieve level 2 across five standards by mid-2011- the WRU were one of these nine sports identified. The WRU were evaluated against defined criteria for each standard, and Level 2 had been fully achieved within the timeframe.
The purpose of the framework is to help create a safe sporting environment for children and young people and protect them from harm. The framework also provides a benchmark to assist those involved in sport to make informed decisions, promoting good practice and challenging practice that is harmful to children. The structure will provide clarity for all those involved in sport about how to recognise and respond to any concerns they may have.
The national framework consists of five areas of action that the WRU have been able to demonstrate, these areas are: Policy, Procedures, Practices, Education and training, Implementing and monitoring.
Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said, “This is a great achievement for the WRU, it shows that the WRU take safeguarding and protecting children seriously and that it is integral to the sport.
“The WRU are fully committed to driving forward the safeguarding work and are on target to gain level 3 by January 2013.”
Head of the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit Anne Tiivas said: “The CPSU recognises and commends the WRU for the substantial amount of time and effort that has been put in to complete the Safeguarding Standards and to ensure children involved in rugby in Wales have a safer and more enjoyable experience. Having successfully achieved Level 2 of the Standards they will now be supported to continue progressing to reach Level 3.”
