child protection audit for the RFU
the challenge:
Child protection is a key issue for the Rugby Football Union
(RFU) as thousands of children are involved in the sport at a mini
and junior level. We were asked to audit their child
protection procedures to ensure they were complying with relevant
regulations and best practice.
our approach:
We spent two days with the RFU, observing their child protection
procedures in action on a day to day basis. We carried out
interviews with staff who have key responsibilities in this
area. We also reviewed how Criminal Records Bureau checks
were carried out on staff and volunteers; how guidance was sent out
to individual clubs; the support provided by the RFU to the clubs
when problems occurred and how their internal disciplinary
procedures operated in practice. We also attended relevant
committee meetings where child protection issues were discussed to
observe how issues were dealt with.
the result:
A comprehensive report was provided to the RFU based on the
information that had been gathered, detailing their levels of
compliance with best practice and providing recommendations for
future improvements. This gave comfort to the RFU that they
were meeting their requirements in relation to child protection.