The Old Caterhamian Club is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and positive online presence in line with RFU safeguarding guidance. All social media activity associated with the club should reflect these values.
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1. Content Approval and Responsibility

• All content intended for the club’s website, social media channels, or other digital platforms must be reviewed for appropriateness before publication. This includes ensuring that content:
o Is suitable for public viewing
o Does not contain material that could bully, harass, or offend anyone
o Complies with RFU safeguarding and child protection guidelines

• Responsibility for content approval rests with individuals authorised by the club to upload articles or manage social media. These individuals must be familiar with the club’s safeguarding policies and procedures.

• In cases where content may be posted without prior review (e.g., personal blogs or live updates), the club must ensure the author understands safeguarding responsibilities and can self-check content effectively.

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2. Public Comments and Interactive Content
• Any content submitted by the public (e.g., comments, messages, discussion forums) must be reviewed before being published online. Publication should never be automatic.

• If a complaint is received about online content, the club must:
1. Immediately remove the content in question
2. Investigate the complaint
3. Only reinstate the content once the matter has been resolved

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3. Protection of Personal Information
• Children’s personal information should be limited to the child’s name. Additional personal details (contact information, school, address, etc.) must never be published.

• Any media (photos, videos) including children should comply with RFU guidance:
o Obtain written parental consent before publication
o Avoid full names alongside images where possible
o Ensure the content portrays children safely and positively

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4. Links to External Websites
• Links to external websites may only be included after the club has reviewed and approved their content.
• The club must obtain assurances from the site owner that:
o The site is suitable for children at all times
o Any marketing content aimed at children complies with ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) guidelines
• All external links must be reviewed at least every 6 months to ensure content remains appropriate.
• If concerns arise about linked content, the club must investigate immediately and remove the link until the issue is resolved.

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5. Advertising and Sponsorship
• Any advertising or sponsored content must comply with:
o RFU safeguarding policies
o ASA guidelines for marketing to children
• Content that could be considered inappropriate, unsafe, or misleading must not be published.

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Key Principles
• Safety first: Protect children and young people in all online content.
• Responsibility: Only authorised individuals may publish content.
• Transparency: Respond quickly to complaints and rectify issues immediately.
• Regular review: Monitor linked content and user-generated posts to ensure ongoing compliance.