News

24th January 2017

To all Club Safeguarding Officers

Dear Club Safeguarding Officer,

WRU Safeguarding Policy – Photograph and Video Consent

The WRU believes that it’s important that parents or carers are able to celebrate the achievements of their children through taking photographs or filming. In addition The WRU recognise that promoting images of the sport will help encourage increased participation, and does not advocate the banning of photography and the use of images and videos of children. However, we do recommend that appropriate safeguards are in place to ensure a safe sporting environment for children and young people.

We have recently received some queries regarding the use of photography at rugby matches involving children. In order to provide some clarity on this issue please see the appropriate guidance which is included in the WRU Safeguarding Policy on pages 100-104, and the appropriate consent forms which are included in the appendices of the policy on pages 128-129.

I have included an extract of the policy below in relation to the best practice principles:

‘The following principles should be adopted as best practice by clubs:

• The interests and welfare of children taking part in sporting activities is paramount

• Children and their parents/carers have a right to decide whether their images are taken, and how these may be used

• Children and their parents/carers must provide written consent for their images to be taken and used

• Consent is only meaningful when the club or organisation ensures that children and their parents/carers understand the nature of potential risks associated with the intended type, use and distribution of the images’

   

  On a practical level, Coaches or Team Managers need to know if there are any children in their squad whose parents or carers have not consented to photographs of the child being taken. There may be a variety of reasons for this decision, but it should be respected and opposition Coaches or Team Managers should be notified if consent has not been obtained. We appreciate that this is a sensitive issue, and no further explanation needs to be given, an example of this may be where a child is a subject of a care order, or where a child cannot be photographed for welfare or safety reasons.

   

  It is clearly a difficult issue to manage with more and more people able to take photographs on their phone, but it is extremely important that we have safeguards in place and remain vigilant to ensure that the policy is adhered to.

   

  If you have any queries regarding photograph consent please don’t hesitate to contact our Safeguarding Advisor, Clive Chard cchard@wru.wales or myself.

   

  Please can I also remind you that if you haven’t already completed it, please can you complete the survey that has recently been circulated as we seek feedback on our customer service and support within your role.

   

  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/clubsafeguardingfeedback

   

  Yours sincerely

   

   

   

   

   

   

  WRU Policy and Integrity Manager

  Direct Line: 02920 82 2442 Email: jrogers@wru.wales