Safeguarding Policy - Old Rutlishians Cricket Club

Old Rutlishians’ Junior Cricket Safeguarding Policy

This policy covers the safeguarding of children involved in Junior Cricket at Old Rutlishians’ Cricket Club (ORCC). Any events held on ORCC premises must comply with this Policy and if appropriate a Safeguarding Plan specific to that event should be discussed and circulated to those affected.

The welfare of children at ORCC will only be protected properly if this policy is implemented effectively. ORCC has a designated individual, Caroline Robinson, the Club Safeguarding Officer,with child protection responsibility. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Caroline or a member of the ECB detailed below.

This policy is based on the following key principles of the ECB’S CRICKET POLICY FOR SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN ‘SAFE HANDS’ which can be found and downloaded from https://www.ecb.co.uk/safeguarding/policy-and-procedures

Old Rutlishians’ Cricket Club – Safeguarding Policy Statement

Old Rutlishians’ Cricket Club (The Club) is committed to ensuring all Children (i.e. all persons under the age of 18) participating in cricket have a safe and positive experience. We will do this by:

Recognising the welfare of the child is paramount
Recognising all children participating in cricket (regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability) have the right to have fun and be protected from harm in a safe environment.
Ensuring individuals working within cricket at, or for, our club provide a welcoming, safe, and fun experience for children.
Everyone will work in partnership to promote the welfare, health and development of children.
Ensuring all people who work in cricket at, or for, our club (such as staff, officials, volunteers, team managers, coaches and so on) have a responsibility for safeguarding children, and understand how the “Safe Hands Policy” applies to them
Ensuring all individuals working within cricket at, or for, the club are recruited and appointed in accordance with ECB guidelines and relevant legislation
Ensuring all individuals working within cricket at, or for, the club are provided with support, through education and training, so they are aware of, and can adhere to, good practice and Code of Conduct guidelines defined by the ECB, and the club
Adopting and implementing the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) “Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children” and any future versions of this
Appointing a C.S.O. and ensuring they attend all current and future training modules required by the ECB
Ensuring the name and contact details of the Club Safeguarding Officer are available: – As the first point of contact for parents, children and volunteers/staff within the club – As a local source of procedural advice for the club, its committee and members – As the main point of contact within the club for the ECB County Safeguarding Officer and the ECB Safeguarding Team, and – As the main point of contact within the club for relevant external agencies in connection with child safeguarding Ensuring correct and comprehensive reporting procedures exist for raising and managing child safeguarding concerns.
Providing an environment where the views of children, parents and volunteers are sought and welcomed on a range of issues. This will help us create an environment where people have the opportunity to voice any concerns (about possible suspected child abuse/neglect, and/or about poor practice) to the Club Safeguarding Officer * *Details of the County Safeguarding Officer will be made available, in case the Club Safeguarding Officer is unavailable, or the concern relates to the Club Safeguarding Officer.
Ensuring all suspicions, concerns and allegations are taken seriously and dealt with swiftly and appropriately.
Ensuring access to confidential information relating to child safeguarding matters is restricted to those who need to know in order to safeguard children – including the Club Safeguarding Officer and the appropriate external authorities, such as the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), as specified within ECB child safeguarding procedures

ORCC has adopted the ECB’s Anti–Bullying policy

Statement of intent

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our children so they can train, and play, in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all who can do something about it children should be able to tell, and know, incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING club. This means anyone who knows bullying is happening is expected to tell someone.

What is bullying?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can take many forms:

Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (for example: hiding kit, or making threatening gestures)
Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
Racist: racial taunts, graffiti and/or gestures
Sexual: unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
Homophobic: because of, or focusing on, the issue of sexuality
Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours and teasing
Cyber: bullying behaviour online or via electronic communication (email and text, social media etc.) Misuse of associated technology, such as camera and video facilities

Why is it important to respond to bullying?

Bullying hurts. No one should be a victim of bullying. Everyone has the right to be treated with respect. Children who are bullying also need to learn different ways of behaving.

Cricket clubs have a responsibility to respond promptly, and effectively, to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this policy

All adults and children at the club should have an understanding of what bullying is
All officials, coaching and non-coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported
All children and parents should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises
As a club, we take bullying seriously. Children and parents should be assured they will be supported when bullying is reported
Bullying will not be tolerated

Signs and symptoms

A child may indicate, by signs or behaviour, that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of signs and investigate if a child:

Says they are being bullied
Changes their usual routine
Is unwilling to go to the club
Becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
Comes home with clothes torn or belongings damaged
Has possessions which are damaged or go missing
Asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay the bully)
Has unexplained cuts or bruises
Is frightened to say what’s wrong
Gives improbable excuses for any of the above

In more extreme cases, the child:

Starts stammering
Cries him or her self to sleep at night or has nightmares
Becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
Is bullying other children or siblings
Stops eating
Attempts or threatens suicide or runs away

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying is a possibility and should be investigated.

Procedures

Report bullying incidents to the Club Safeguarding Officer
In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be reported to the ECB Safeguarding Team for advice via the County Safeguarding Officer
Parents should be informed and invited to a meeting to discuss the problem
If necessary, and appropriate, police will be consulted
The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly
An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour In cases of adults reported to be bullying cricketers under 18, the ECB must always be informed and will advise on action to be taken.

Prevention

We will use ‘Kidscape’ recommended methods to help children prevent bullying. These may include:

Developing a children’s code of conduct (see guidance in ‘Safe Hands’)
Agreeing behaviour contracts
Having discussions about bullying and why it matters *with thanks to Kidscape for their expert advice and templates

Effective safeguarding arrangements in every local area should be underpinned by two key principles:

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: for services to be effective each professional and organisation should play their full part; and
A child-centred approach: for services to be effective they should be based on a clear understanding of the needs and views of children.

Incident Reporting

Anyone witnessing or aware of an incident where the welfare of a child, young person or vulnerable adult has been put at risk must in the first instance inform the Club Safeguarding Officer.
If an incident involves the Club Safeguarding Officer the Club Chairman should be informed and also either the Surrey ECB Safeguarding Manager or the ECB Safeguarding Executive.

Safeguarding Training

ORCC will provide its coaches and volunteers with the support and safeguarding training required for their position and role. Coaches, captains and volunteers must ensure they complete this training.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks

Wondering whether you need a check? If you are over 16 and working with children or young people more than once per week or 4 or more times in a 30 day period, you need a check.

All members of ORCC who have a regular supervisory contact with children or a management responsibility for those working with children must undertake an ECB Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. It is a criminal offence to work with children unsupervised without such a check.

Useful Contact Details

Club Safeguarding Officer: Caroline Robinson

Mobile: 07739 987132

Email: [email protected]

DBS Checks: Ian Lambert

Mobile: 07425 150637

Tel: 020 8642 6315

Email: [email protected]

Surrey County Welfare Officer: Heidi Langrish

Mobile: 07773 394218

Email: [email protected]

ECB Safeguarding

The Safeguarding Team consists of the Safeguarding Manager, Case Officer, Advisor and Compliance Officer all based at Lord’s.

Lord’s Cricket Ground London NW8 8QZ T:02074321200 E:[email protected]

NSPCC Helpline T: 0808 800 5000 W:www.nspcc.org.uk
(for adults – 24hrs)

Child Protection in Sport Unit T: 0116 234 7278 W:www.thecpsu.org.uk

Childline UKT:0800 1111

Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre (CEOP) T:0870 0003344

Definitions

Children

Children are defined in the Children Act 1989 as people under the age of 18 years. For the purposes of this Policy the legal definition applies.

Children’s Workforce

All those who volunteer or are in a paid role at a cricket club and work with children are part of the children’s workforce, providing services to children. We all work towards creating a safe, friendly and welcoming environment and treat children with respect in accordance with the Core Values reproduced below and

Understand and comply with this club’s safeguarding policy
Aim to follow all guidance in this document when working with children
Completes any training considered appropriate for their role

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

The DBS was created when the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) in December 2012 as a result of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA). The DBS runs checks at three different levels providing information on an individual’s criminal records.

Regulated Activity

The statutory definition of Regulated Activity applies to this Policy. In summary, this means teaching, training, instruction, care or supervision of children carried out by the same person frequently (once a week or more often) or on four or more days in a 30 day period, or overnight. Those working in Regulated Activity and over the age of 16 years will have an enhanced DBS disclosure processed and cleared by the ECB, in accordance with ECB Regulations.

Core Values

Recruitment

The people who work in every cricket club are the most important asset a club has. Therefore a good recruitment process is essential to ensure the best people are chosen for the roles they undertake. These must be people who are suited to the club and who are less likely to harm children, intentionally or accidentally. We ensure that we have good recruitment, induction and supervision processes in order to demonstrate to those working there, the value which we put on children’s safety and wellbeing.

Official checks and vetting procedures are not, on their own, enough to protect children. They are only part of a wider set of practices and an organisational culture which supports safe practice.

Paid and volunteer staff need to be aware of their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, how they should respond to child protection concerns and if necessary, make a referral to the Club Safeguarding Officer who will take the necessary action.

Working Together: Roles & Responsibilities

The club has appointed a Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO) as the first point of contact (see the last page of this document) for safeguarding and welfare concerns and has ensured that the CSO:

Attends the appropriate Safeguarding courses and renews their certification every three years.
Attends the appropriate club committees making safeguarding issues a priority at the proper level
Works in accordance with the Safeguarding Toolkit
Ensured each mini and youth age group has at least one person who has attended the “Play It Safe” course
Ensured all club officers and committee members are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities
Ensures that at any youth disciplinary panel the CSO will support the child and ensures the panel considers the child’s emotional wellbeing throughout
Identifies any signs of harm and reports them to the CBSM and/or the ECB Safeguarding team
Ensures that the club children’s workforce have up-to-date DBS checks in accordance with Best Practice Guidance and Regulation 21.

Primary Objectives

The ORCC acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in from harm. ORCC confirms that it adheres to the ECB’s Safeguarding Policy. This policy should be read in conjunction with that Policy and does not replace nor supersede it.

The ORCC recognises that all children and young people have the right to participate in sport in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment whilst at the same time being protected from abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice. This is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the Club.

Types of Abuse

There are four main types of abuse: physical, sexual, emotional and neglect. An individual may abuse or neglect a child directly or may be responsible for abuse by failing to prevent another person harming that child. Bullying is often considered to be a fifth type of abuse but when it occurs it usually has elements of one or more of the four categories identified. Incidents of poor practice arise when the needs of children are not afforded the necessary priority, compromising their wellbeing. Poor practice can easily turn into abuse if it is not dealt with as soon as concerns are raised or reported.

Examples of poor practice may be shouting, excessive training, creation of intra-club ‘elite squads’, ridicule of players’ errors, ignoring health and safety guidelines and failing to adhere to the club’s code of conduct.

Best Practice Guidance

The ORCC’s aim is to create a culture where everyone feels confident to raise legitimate concerns without prejudice to their own position. Concerns about the behaviour of coaches, officials or any members of the children’s workforce which may be harmful to a child in their care must be reported to the Club Safeguarding Officer.

Safeguarding Best Practice

ORCC will ensure that all coaches, volunteers, and officials comply with the Safeguarding Best Practice Guidance as issued by the ECB. In summary, the following are NOT acceptable and will be treated seriously by the club and may result in disciplinary action being taken by the Club:

Working alone with a child or young people
Consuming alcohol or smoking whilst working with children or young people
Failing to comply with the ECB guidelines on phone, email, messaging, internet and online contact with children or young people
Providing alcohol to children or young people or allowing its supply
Humiliating children or young people
Inappropriate or unnecessary physical contact with a child, young person or vulnerable adult
Participating in, or allowing, contact or physical games between adults and children or young people
Having an intimate or sexual relationship with any child, young person or vulnerable adult developed as a result of being in a “position of trust”
Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material.

Safe Environment

The club aims to provide a safe environment where the possibility of abuse is openly acknowledged; volunteers and employees are appropriately recruited and trained; and those who report suspicions and concerns are confident that these will be treated seriously and confidentially. Communication is central to maintaining a safe environment; this includes information given to parents at the start of the season (such as the CSO’s name), choosing the correct and appropriate method of providing information to children (email/phone to parents), listening to children’s views on matters which affect them, as well as considering how to communicate in an emergency (mobile/landline).

Messages relating to children, sent via telephone, emails and texts, should be through their parents/guardians. Where appropriate older players may be copied in but this should always be done by blind copying in order to protect their data. Direct personal communication with children should be avoided, unless in exceptional circumstances.

Recruitment

Covered earlier but it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure all reasonable steps should be taken to exclude anyone who may pose a threat to children.

Training

We encourage all club officials and adults who have a coaching role to attend an appropriate Cricket Coaching course and a “Play It Safe” course. The behaviour and performance of new volunteers and employees is monitored for a period to ensure they are following best practice.

ECB Guidelines on Supervising Children at Cricket Sessions

It is important for clubs to remember when planning children’s cricket, or general, sessions, sufficient adults must be present to adequately supervise all participants and manage any incident that may arise.

It is a basic requirement of all sessions and matches involving children that a minimum of two responsible adults will be present in all circumstances. Coaching always takes place in an open environment with at least one DBS checked adult in charge of any group of children. Clubs should always plan accordingly and coaches must feel confident in raising concerns if they find themselves placed in a position where they are expected to work alone and unsupervised. In matches there must always be at least two adults present and responsible for the team.

The ECB provides two different sets of ratios for working with children. It is vital coaches, and other key club personnel, understand the distinction between these two types of ratios. They are each explained below:

Qualified coach ratios required for coaching sessions

The ECB Community Coach Education department has produced appropriate ratios based on the number of qualified coaches required to run different technical disciplines within the game. The ratios of qualified coaches to children are as follows:

Net Coaching: 1 coach: 8 children
Group Coaching: 1 coach: 24 children
Hard Ball Coaching: 1 coach: 16 children

These coaching ratios are very different to the child supervision ratios, which are required at all sessions regardless of where these are held or which activities the children are doing. Details of supervision ratios are shown below:

Supervision ratios

Supervision ratios relate to managing groups of children and ensuring sufficient adults are present to deal with any issue or incident that may arise. For single sex groups, there must be at least one same gender member of staff. For mixed groups there must be at least one male and one female supervising adult.

There must always be a minimum of two adults present

Clubs must also factor in any further issues that the risk assessment of the facilities may have highlighted. For example, if the changing rooms are located several minutes walk from the training venue then the club may have to increase the number of supervisors in light of this additional information.

The supervision ratios that must be adhered to as a minimum for clubs looking after groups of children are as follow:

Aged 8 and under – 1 adult: 8 children

Aged 9 and over – 1 adult: 10 children

It is also important for clubs to note that these ratios relate to adults and children i.e.

those over 18 looking after those under 18.

Volunteers who are under 18 years of age must not be used in the calculations for supervision ratios.

Drinks breaks

As part of our responsibilities in supervising children, it is vital all players drink appropriate amounts of water to avoid any possible risks of dehydration during matches and practice sessions.

The tips below are provided from the ECB Coaches’ Safety Pack (Hard Copy).

Coaches, teachers, managers and umpires are encouraged to:

Ensure regular intervals for drinks are arranged, particularly in matches of more than 20 overs per innings, or in hot weather
Plan drinks breaks in practice sessions and matches every 20-40 minutes on warm sunny days. (This may sound excessive but on hot days players can need up to two or three litres each to stay fully hydrated)
Avoid waiting for children to say they are thirsty before planning a drinks break as thirst is an indication of dehydration.

The ECB Sports Science support pack (via e-learning portal) reminds us that children tend to dehydrate more quickly than adults.

Facilities and venues used for children’s cricket including changing room and showering facilities.

Best practice principles to be adopted by clubs, wherever possible, are as follows:

Adults must not change, or shower, at the same time using the same facility as children – if the same changing room is used then they must have different times.
If adults and children need to share a changing facility, they must do so at different times.
Mixed gender teams must have access to separate male and female changing rooms
Due to the risks of inappropriate photography or filming, mobile phones must not be used in changing rooms

If children are uncomfortable changing or showering at the club, no pressure should be placed on them to do so. Suggest instead that they may change and shower at home.

All clubs must ensure they have undertaken an adequate risk assessment on all facilities and venues used for any club activities, regardless of ownership of that facility or venue. This does not include away match venues for leagues but should include, where possible, facilities and venues that will be used on tours.

If clubs regularly hire facilities from other organisations such as schools or community colleges, there may be a generic risk assessment available for clubs to consider.

It is important all clubs recognise their responsibility for ensuring venues and facilities are fit for purpose.

Details on risk assessment can be found in the ECB Clubmark programme at www.ecb.co.uk/clubmark

The outcomes of risk assessments may have an impact on the session planning or co-ordination of junior club training or matches. It is important risk assessments are done in advance and updated on an annual basis, or if changes to the facility have taken place.

Transport Guidelines

All clubs must ensure they have notified parents/carers that parents/carers are responsible for the safe delivery and collection of their child for matches or training. Information is distributed related to all planned away fixtures or competitions to provide parents/carers an opportunity to make appropriate arrangements.

Coaches and club staff will be responsible for children in their care when on the club premises or on arrival at opponents’ cricket grounds.

It is not the responsibility of the coach or team manager to transport, or arrange to transport, the children to and from the club or match.

The club receives permission from parents/carers for children to participate in all competitions and away fixtures/events. We also establish with parents/carers a “pick up and drop off” policy, which specifically addresses matters such as late collection of children. This is developed at the start of season meeting and provides an opportunity to establish both club and parental expectations. It will also provide club officials with guidance should

any incidents arise during the season.

Other Guidelines

Specific guidelines on the wearing of Cricket Helmets, Fielding Regulations, Fast Bowling Directives, Junior Players in Open Age Cricket, Girls playing in Boys Age Group Leagues and Competitions, plus Sun Safety are all to be found in the Safe Hands Policy Folder a copy of which is available at all times in the bar.

Detailed Guidelines are provided in the Safe Hands Policy Folder for the Management of Tours

Any tours, overseas or domestic, undertaken by ORCC must comply with the relevant ECB Regulations and Guidance relating to tours. All Tours must be notified to the CWO in advance and all overseas tours may require ECB approval in advance. Tour organisers should contact the Club Welfare Officer in the first instance.

Photography & Video Camera Guidelines

The ECB is keen to promote positive images of children playing cricket and is not preventing the use of photographic or videoing equipment.

Please remember that photographs are considered ‘personal data’ in terms of the Data Protection Act. Depending on the circumstance, consent from either the child, adult, or both should be sought before capturing, sharing or publishing images where a child can be identified, including posting on the club’s website etc. In addition,

as with all personal data you process, it should be processed in accordance with the principles laid out in the Data Protection Act, and other relevant legislation and guidance.

Be aware that some people may use sporting events as an opportunity to take inappropriate photographs or film footage of children. All clubs should be vigilant about this. These individuals could attend the local cricket club allowing people to presume they are related to a child involved. Any concerns during an event should be reported to a club official or event organiser. It is also possible that if a picture and name was placed in the local paper, the club

website etc., the information could be used inappropriately. For this reason the ECB guidance is that a child’s picture and name should not appear together. There may be other reasons why individuals may not wish their child’s photograph to be taken by someone they do not know personally, for example estranged parents looking to gain access to a child, or families that have fled abusive situations. Parents/carers must be offered the opportunity to

withhold consent for photographs / filming of their child.

The guiding principles are:

Photographs/images are not to be taken at matches or training without the prior permission of the parents/carers of the child. This permission can be given by proxy by the coach of each team only after parental consent for this has been granted. The coach must arrange this prior to attending matches.
If no consent has been given for a child on the player profile form, then it is to be made known to the relevant person of the other team (e.g. coach/team manager) so the appropriate person/s taking photographs for the other team is/are aware and can avoid taking photographs of that particular child
The children should be informed a person will be taking photographs
The children should be informed that if they have concerns they can report these to the coach or team manager
Concerns regarding inappropriate, or intrusive, photography should be reported to the Club Welfare Officer and recorded in the same manner as any other child protection or safeguarding concern
It is recommended that cricket tournaments/festivals/events/competitions set up a camera registration book for parents to complete. It is recommended that all cricket clubs as well as tournament/festival/event organisers adhere to the appropriate guidelines relating to publishing of images as detailed below.

Use of images of children (for example on the web, in the media or in league handbooks), including broadcast on social media platfoms:

Ask for parental permission to use the child’s image and, wherever possible, show the image to the parents and child in advance. This ensures that they are aware of the way the image will be used to represent cricket and the club.
Ask for the child’s permission to use their image. This ensures they are aware of the way the image is to be used to represent cricket and the club.
If the cricketer is named, avoid using their photograph
If a photograph is used, avoid naming the child
Only use images of children in appropriate kit (training or competition), to reduce the risk of inappropriate use, and to provide positive images of the children
Encourage the reporting of inappropriate use of images of children. If you are concerned, report your concerns to the County or Club Welfare Officer

Using video as a coaching aid:

There is no intention on the part of the ECB to prevent club coaches using video equipment as a legitimate coaching aid.

However, players and parents/carers should be aware that this is part of the coaching programme, and material taken in connection with coaching, must be stored securely and deleted or destroyed when a parent requests this, or when the material is no longer needed.

The parents/carers and children must provide written consent for the use of photography and video analysis.

Missing Child Guidelines

Detailed guidance is provided in the policy on how to deal with a missing child situation and all Coaches are aware of the procedure.

Safeguarding disabled children

The club is aware that disabled children and their families may need additional information, help and support and is willing to help facilitate their participation if possible and the Safe Hands Policy gives detailed guidance on how that can be achieved.

Guidance on the use of Social Media, texts and e-mail

Everyone in cricket is reminded that the Relevant Codes of Conduct apply online and in text and email communications, just as they do in the ‘real world.’ We adopt this expectation into in our approach to any disciplinary processes. There is much more detail on these matters to be found in the Safe Hands Cricket Policy Folder.

Social Media: Do’s and Don’ts Coaches / Managers / Clubs DO

Have separate social media accounts for cricket-club related and personal use.

Keep your photos and personal information private.

Apply the Codes of Conduct and appropriate professionalism to your behaviour online, by text and email.

Obtain consent before posting any personal information online – this includes photographs where an individual can be identified.

Remember the picture/no name guidance for under 18s

Coaches / Managers / Clubs DO NOT

Send text messages to juniors – make arrangements via their parents.

Send private messages to children and young people via social media.

Invite or accept children and young people to become “friends”.

Send inappropriate text messages or post messages on social media that are offensive, nasty or derogatory in any way.

Adult players in Open Age teams

Please be mindful of who may have access to material you share via social media, including Facebook, twitter and other platforms and do NOT include anyone under the age of 18 years.

Coaching techniques

These are done in a safe and secure manner according to the guidelines laid down by the ECB.

Physical intervention or Positive Handling

Is only to be used as a final measure when there is a risk of danger to a child involved – all such incidents are to be reported to the CSO as soon as possible.

Inappropriate Relationships with Children

An adult in a position of trust must not enter into a sexual relationship with a child in their care. Sexual intercourse, sexual activity, or inappropriate touching by an adult with a child under the age of 16 years is a criminal offence, even where there is apparent consent from the child. A sexual relationship between an adult in a position of trust and a child over 16 years of age is a breach of trust and an abuse of the adult’s position. Whilst it may not be a criminal offence, in a cricket setting it will be treated very seriously and may result in ECB disciplinary action, including suspension from attending cricket clubs. The ECB has a legal duty to refer anyone removed from Regulated Activity to the DBS. Therefore, an adult in a position of trust involved in a sexual relationship with a child over 16 years of age may be referred to the DBS for consideration. This could result in the adult being barred from working with children by the DBS. No-one in a position of trust should encourage a physical or emotionally dependent relationship to develop between them and a child in their care; this is often referred to as grooming. Adults must never send children inappropriate or sexually provocative messages or images by text, or other electronic media.

Codes of Conduct

ORCC follows the ECB Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Cricket Club Members and Guests

All Members and Guests of this Cricket Club will:

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person within the context of cricket
Treat everyone equally and not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, parental or marital status, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference or political belief.
Not condone, or allow to go unchallenged, any form of discrimination if witnessed
Display high standards of behaviour
Promote the positive aspects of cricket, for example fair play
Encourage all participants to learn the Laws and rules and play within them, always respecting the decisions of match officials
Actively discourage unfair play, rule violations and arguing with match officials
Recognise good performance not just match results
Place the well-being and safety of children above the development of performance
Ensure activities are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual
Respect children’s opinions when making decisions about their participation in cricket
Not smoke, drink or use banned substances while working with children in the club
Not provide children with alcohol when they are under the care of the club
Follow ECB guidelines set out in the ‘Safe Hands’ – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children” and any other relevant guidelines issued
Report any concerns in relation to a child, following reporting procedures laid down by the ECB

* Members and guests include all members and officers of the cricket club and all guests of those members and officers, as well asall individuals who watch/attend/participate/officiate in matches hosted by the club in whatever capacity.

In addition to the above, all club officers and appointed volunteers will:

Have been appropriately vetted, if required
Hold relevant qualifications and be covered by appropriate insurance
Always work in an open environment (i.e. avoid private, or unobserved, situationsand encourage an open environment)

NB This includes the online world – club officers and volunteers are actively discouraged from online or other electronic communication with children – any such communication should be via parents.

Inform players and parents of the requirements of cricket
Know and understand the ECB’s “Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children”
Develop an appropriate working relationship with young players, based on mutual trust and respect
Ensure physical contact is appropriate and necessary and is carried out within recommended guidelines with the young player’s full consent and approval
Not engage in any form of sexually related contact with a young player. This is strictly forbidden, as is sexual innuendo, flirting or inappropriate gestures and terms. The ECB adopts the Home Office guidelines. These recommend “people in positions of trust and authority do not have sexual relationships with 16-17 year olds in their care
Attend appropriate training to keep up to date with their role, especially with respect to the safeguarding of children

Written by Ian Lambert