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Concerns


IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN OR WORRY ABOUT SOMETHING OR SOMEBODY THAT IS AFFECTING YOU AT RUGBY, PLEASE FIND ME AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT AND FIND WAY TO WORK IT OUT (ANN O'CONNOR CWO)

What to do if there is a concern?

  • Try and establish whether it is Poor Practice or a Child Protection Concern (are there reasonable grounds for concern?)
  • Consult the Club Welfare Officer and/ Branch Welfare Officer
  • If not sure contact the local Túsla, the Child & Family Agency(CFA) or Garda Siochana and ask for an "informal consultancy" in Ireland


Poor Practice

If the concern is internal

  1. Inform the Club Welfare Officer
  2. Club Welfare Officer and Management Committee deal with the concern as an internal issue and, if necessary, inform the Branch and Branch Welfare Officer of the concern(s) and action taken


If the concern is Inter-club or Branch

  1. Report to Club Welfare Officer and Club Management Committee.
  2. Refer to Branch Child Welfare Officer and National Child Welfare Officer
  3. Branch and National Welfare Officers to deal with issue and inform Branch and Clubs of the concern(s) and action taken.


If the concern relates to a Club Management or Committee Member

  1. Report to Club Welfare Officer and Club Management Committee.
  2. Refer to National Welfare Officer
  3. National Child Welfare Officer to deal with issue and refer to Branch and Clubs of the concern(s) and action taken


Please note: Should you not be happy with the initial outcome of the process you may refer this issue to the National Child Welfare Officer. The final decision will be with the National Child Welfare Officer and National Child Protection Officer.


Child Protection Concern or suspected abuse in Rugby

  1. Refer concern to Statutory Authorities
  2.  Inform Branch, National Welfare and National Child Protection Officers on a "need to know" basis
  3. Statutory Authorities investigates and inform IRFU of actions
  4. If Statutory Authorities decides not to prosecute - IRFU can initiate disciplinary actions
  5. IRFU to decide on actions relating to suspension depending on the enquiry
  6. IRFU to decide on procedures regarding media and general enquiries


Unlawful practice "outside rugby"

  1. Refer concern to Statutory Authority – Child & Family Agency / Health Trust or in cases of emergency An Garda Siochana / PSNI
  2. Local Authority investigates


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