THE GOOD NEWS - There are no active cases within the CB regarding safeguarding issues.  EITHER WE ARE VERY WELL BEHAVED in Hampshire or things are not getting reported.  I would prefer the former.

THE BAD NEWS - Despite repeated warnings we have had numerous incidents involving poor behaviour involving young players, coaches and spectators.

After consideration these were passed to my fellow committee members for disciplinary action and are being dealt with at the correct level.  Please be aware that these incidents could have become safe guarding investigations.

Those of you that attended the Forum at Winchester, I hope you enjoyed the evening and found it both entertaining and informative.  The Team from Twickenham were buzzing and impressed by the substantial turnout.  On a personal note, it was great to be able to put faces to names and e-mail address but I was a little disappointed not to see senior club representation from many of the senior county clubs.

CHANGES IN PERSONNEL
New Safeguarding Officers in places at Fareham Heathens, Andover and Winchester, welcome back Kath.  A big thank you to both the incoming officers and the new incuments.  I hope you have patience in bucket loads.

New Safeguarding Policy documents is with RFU Legal and should be released in March 2010.

CRB UPDATE
Clubs are reminded that it is the individuals responsibility to ensure his/her CRB is renewed and attention to detail is vital when submitting forms.  On a serious note, coaches should not be coaching unsupervised if they do not hold a valid ENHANCED CRB issued by the RFU.

ISA / VETTING and BARRING UPDATE (Independent Safeguarding Authority)
http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/
ISA on hold with the RFU until July 2010.  This was a Government decision, however new CRB forms will be issued prior to the implementation with detailed instructions' of how they should be completed.  I will be attending a training course in March with the RFU and hope to be able to cascade information down to Club Officers well in advance of its introduction in July 2010.  First impressions are that there will be no significant work increase, basically just another tick in the box on the new forms.  Registration with ISA will take place as CRB's are renewed in due course.  CRB still valid for three years but ISA is FOR LIFE and is transferred an individual moves area.  CRB and ISA are separate bodies but both must be completed in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.

RUGBY FIRST WEBSITE
http://clubs.rfu.com/clubs/portals
As CRB applications are submitted and accepted by the RFU, the RFU will place individuals details on the Rugby First website applicable to the club, with a pending mark.  When the club officer responsible acknowledges that individual as being part of their club or organisation they will be accepted onto the website.

RU SAFE Website
http://clubs.rfu.com/clubs/portals/rusafe/
Clubs are encouraged to use the website.  It is a mine of useful information and guidance for club officials.

RAISING THE PROFILE OF CLUB SAFEGUARDING OFFICER
I continue to bang the drum on this subject and make no excuses.  Hampshire CB and the RFU are encouraging clubs to have their SGO on the main club management committee.  This allows senior management to be aware of any ongoing issues within their clubs and to hear firsthand what is happening.  Bear in mind any incident reflects on the whole club, not just the mini and junior sections.

TRAINING
Safeguarding Officers Workshop will be running at Eastleigh RFC on Tuesday 5 January with another in the pipeline very soon to be scheduled for a weekend.  The annual RFU conference will be held at the HQ of the NSCPCC in Leicester over the weekend of 6 March 2010.  I will be attending on behalf of the CB.

Finally I will always make myself available either in person or on the phone and club officials should not nesitate to get in touch with me should anyone have a query or concern involving any aspect of Safeguarding and please remember there is more to YOUR SGO's role in your club that simply dispatching CRB forms.  Like your coaches, they are trained for the job.  Ignore their advise at your peril.

Thank you all for your continued support and I am slowly getting round to meeting you all as the season progresses.

Martin Balls
Hampshire Rugby Football Union Safeguarding Manager