ECB Safe Hands Policy Statement

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN IN CRICKET

 

Our Commitment

Cricket is a game which unites communities and improves lives. Across England and Wales, the enjoyment, structure, fitness and companionship which cricket brings to children is of immense value to them in their formative years, and our aim must be to harness the power of the game for their benefit, and to inspire a generation.

We are very clear that cricket should be a game for everyone. Children and young people are also the future of our sport – so it’s vital that they experience cricket in a safe, friendly, secure and enjoyable environment. Everyone involved in cricket, as a player, coach, umpire, administrator, staff member, volunteer, spectator or parent has a role to play. Individually and collectively, it is our actions, both on and off the field which can help achieve this positive outcome. It is ECB’s vision that every individual and club should have the appropriate tools and confidence to create a supportive and safe environment in which children and young people can flourish. A welcoming, inclusive and diverse environment is at the heart of this commitment.

As such the ECB is committed to work with statutory agencies and government to ensure:

• appropriate preventative safeguarding measures are taken such as policies, procedures, safer recruitment, conduct standards, ongoing guidance and training;
• the reporting of safeguarding concerns is made clear and easy, to ensure timely and effective reporting;
• concerns and allegations are investigated thoroughly and in a timely manner in consultation with statutory agencies;

Our approach to risks and development of practice is continuously reviewed and developed.

 

Our Duty

Safeguarding amounts to the actions we all take to promote and maintain the safeguarding of all children involved in cricket. It is our duty to protect the rights of children and young people to live free from abuse, harm and neglect. It is an individual as well as a shared and collective responsibility which applies to everyone involved and participating in cricket. That responsibility goes beyond today or tomorrow. We all have a role to play in ensuring that a culture of safeguarding is embedded in our cricketing organisations for the future.

 

Our Game and our Leaders

Effective safeguarding requires strong, positive leadership and robust governance from all those in leadership roles across cricket. Our safeguarding policies and procedures depend on inspiring, driven leadership to help accelerate their purpose and champion their importance

Whilst safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, , specific individuals across the ECB, counties, clubs and non-traditional formats of the game hold responsibility for delivering our Safe Hands Policy. It is the ECB’s role to work with its stakeholders to provide appropriate resources to support in the delivery of the policy.

Wherever appropriate to the individual cricket club or organisation we expect a Senior Board Level lead or Committee member to be appointed with the required knowledge, skills and expertise to take leadership responsibility for their organisation’s safeguarding.

Club Safeguarding Officers are vital members of the club and key to making an environment safe, welcoming and friendly for children to enjoy the game of cricket. The Club Safeguarding Officers may be responsible for a club, squad, panel, league, board, First Class Club (FCCC), National County Club and other non-traditional deliverers of cricket. The Club Safeguarding Officer will make sure the policies and procedures are in place, and that everyone who is working with children in their club is subject to appropriate safer recruitment processes. i. They are the person that others come to if they have concerns, and having attended specific training, will know what to do in order to assist, or who to ask for further help.

County Safeguarding Officers are appointed by each FCCC/County Cricket Board/NCCC in order to provide advice and assistance on safeguarding children for clubs, leagues and other organisations within each county. All Club Safeguarding Officers are provided with the County Safeguarding Officer’s contact details as part of the Safe Hands training programme within each County. If club members need to contact the County Safeguarding Officer directly for any reason, then contact should be made via a County Board.

The Safeguarding Team at the ECB provides reactive and proactive Safeguarding:

The Case Management Team manage referrals and investigations when a safeguarding concern has been raised. They will assess people who may pose a risk of harm and put safeguards in place to manage this risk. The Proactive Team is dedicated to putting preventative measures into action and providing guidance and support to clubs, counties and other cricket organisations. If you have any safeguarding queries or require further information, please contact:

Tel: 0207 432 1200
Email: safeguarding@ecb.co.uk

 

Our Policy

The ECB has developed this overarching policy for safeguarding and protecting children in cricket. We refer to it as our “Safe Hands” Safeguarding Policy. It is a mandatory requirement that all County Boards, affiliated clubs and leagues adopt and implement the ECB “Safe Hands” policy and we will provide them with support to do so through education and training.

Having a strong safeguarding policy alone, however, is not enough to ensure children not only are safe bur feel safe whilst involved in the game. Effective communication, being informed and engaged, as well as having confidence in what to do should you have any concerns, is vital. Ultimately, listening to children and taking a child centred approach is the key. This means seeking, listening to and considering children’s wishes and feelings both in individual decisions and in the development of services. Recognising additional vulnerability and taking this into consideration is central to our work to safeguard children.

 

Our Safeguarding Strategy 2022 -2024

The strategy is intended to inform and guide players, parents, volunteers and stakeholders of all the steps we are taking to embed a culture of safeguarding across the game. These aims, commitments and outcomes are designed to support the game-wide strategic plan Inspiring Generations (2019- 2024).

The strategy has been developed in consultation with key internal and external stakeholders, including young people, who told us what we could do across the game to help them feel safe and be safe. The strategy is intended to inform and guide players, parents, volunteers, and stakeholders of all the steps we are taking to embed a culture of safeguarding across the game.

Our Kitbag

For clubs and leagues ECB aims to provide comprehensive and up to date resources which will support them in their day-to-day roles in safeguarding children. Although certain key resources can be found within each of the seven pillars, our kitbag contains everything for ease of reference and quick access.