Compiled on: 11 December 2025
Includes: Integrated Safeguarding Policy, Mentor Code of Conduct, Parent Consent Pack,
Reporting Flowchart
Table of Contents:
1. Safeguarding Children Policy
2. Mentor Code of Conduct
3. Parent Consent & Information Pack
4. Reporting Flowchart
This section integrates all safeguarding standards, including Te Tiriti commitment, practice
boundaries, digital safety, health & wellbeing, reporting, recruitment linkage, training, privacy,
parent partnership, and governance.
Nxt Level Mentoring – Safeguarding Children Policy
Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Nxt Level Mentoring recognises Te Tiriti o Waitangi as Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding
document. We are committed to upholding the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the principles
of Partnership, Protection, and Participation in all aspects of our rugby mentoring, development,
and community programmes.
Background
At Nxt Level Mentoring, working with children and young people is a privilege. We believe every
child and young person has the right to thrive in a safe and supportive rugby environment. Our
mentoring programmes promote growth, resilience, leadership, and enjoyment—while ensuring
the safety and wellbeing of all participants.
We acknowledge that everyone involved with Nxt Level Mentoring has a legal and moral
responsibility to protect children and young people from abuse and neglect. Every player and
participant has the right to be safe, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Purpose
This policy outlines Nxt Level Mentoring’s commitment to the protection of children and young
people by:
1. Setting standards to protect all participants, staff, and volunteers.
2. Providing procedures for identifying and reporting child abuse or neglect under the Children’s
Act 2014.
3. Creating a mandatory reporting framework for concerns regarding safety or wellbeing.
4. Appointing Child Safeguarding Representatives (CSR) to oversee protection and response.
5. Ensuring staff and volunteers are trained, supported, and confident in safeguarding
processes.
Scope
This policy applies to all Nxt Level Mentoring staff, contractors, and volunteers who engage
directly or indirectly with children and young people. It also applies to any child or young person
participating in Nxt Level Mentoring activities, including camps, clinics, and workshops.
Our Commitment
Nxt Level Mentoring is committed to creating a culture of safety, trust, and respect. We will
always put children and young people’s welfare first in every decision we make. We provide
safe, trained mentors who are equipped to identify and respond to concerns.
We will communicate openly and transparently with parents, caregivers, and whānau while
prioritising the child’s safety. Concerns will be raised immediately and managed through
established safeguarding procedures.
All Nxt Level Mentoring staff and volunteers will receive safeguarding induction, ongoing
training, and clear guidelines to maintain a child-centred environment that promotes both
physical and emotional wellbeing.
Clear expectations for mentors: boundaries, respectful language, consent for coaching touch,
anti-discrimination, digital communication rules, transport, conflict of interest, and
acknowledgement.
• Act in the best interests of tamariki and rangatahi; uphold Te Tiriti principles.
• Maintain professional boundaries; avoid unsupervised one-on-one contact.
• Seek consent before coaching-related touch; explain purpose; least-intrusive contact; public view.
• Use respectful, inclusive language; never comment on body image or appearance.
• No discrimination, bullying, harassment, hazing or humiliating practices.
• Follow Photography & Video rules and Data Protection requirements.
• Report any concerns immediately to the Safeguarding Lead; escalate where there is risk of harm.
• Complete required induction and annual safeguarding training.
• Digital communication: approved channels only; no private messaging/friending; include parents in group chats.
• Transport: no solo car trips; use consented, pre-agreed transport with two adults or multiple youth.
• Conflict of interest: declare any conflicts; avoid favoritism; no gifts to individual mentees.
Programme overview, safe mentoring principles, consent tick-boxes, medical info, emergency
contacts, privacy notice, and reporting instructions.
• Consent for participation, off-site activities, transport, photography/video, and digital communication.
• Medical information and emergency contacts.
• Privacy notice: compliance with Privacy Act 2020.
• How to raise a concern: Safeguarding Lead contact and anonymous reporting channel.
Recognise → Respond → Report → Escalate → Record
• Recognise: indicators or disclosures of harm; stay calm; do not promise confidentiality.
• Respond: ensure immediate safety; if imminent danger, call NZ Police (111).
• Report: notify Safeguarding Lead immediately; use incident form; anonymous reporting available.
• Escalate: contact Oranga Tamariki (0508 326 459) or NZ Police if risk of harm; inform parents as appropriate.
• Record: document facts promptly; store securely; review and learn from outcomes.
