Code of Conduct & Safeguarding
Safeguarding
All of our policies, procedures and practice incorporate the ECB’s requirements as documented in their cricket policy for safeguarding children – Safe Hands – and applies at all levels of the game, from grassroots through to the elite levels.
Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. Everyone involved in cricket should understand the importance of keeping young people safe within our game. We are committed to ensuring a safe environment for everybody:-
If you have any concerns relating to safeguarding in Middlesex, please contact Ken Palmer (Middlesex County Safeguarding Officer) immediately on 07561 853 999 ken.palmer@middlesexccc.com or Dal Babu (Designated Safeguarding Lead on dal.babu@middlesexccc.com
Alternatively, the Cricket Regulator team can be contacted on 020 7432 1200 or safeguarding@cricketregulator.co.uk
You can use the cricket regulator safeguarding referral form which has been designed to support anyone with a concern. Once complete the form should be shared with the County Safeguarding Officer or the Safeguarding Team via safeguarding@cricketregulator.co.uk. Safeguarding Referral Form Download
If urgent and you cannot contact your club, or County Safeguarding Officer, you should call the NSPCC 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 5000 help@nspcc.org.uk
If it is an emergency and someone is at immediate risk, then call the Police or Children’s Social Care in your area.
All clubs participating in the MJCA competitions must ensure that “Safe Hands” is adopted and the policies and procedures within are implemented and monitored. This includes making sure a Club Safeguarding Officer is appointed, trained and supported by the Club Committee. We strongly recommend that each club has a deputy to their mandatory Club Safeguarding Officer.
All Club Safeguarding Officers require an active DBS check, Safeguarding & Protecting Children certificate and a NSPCC endorsed Safe Hands Workshop certificate.
ECB Guidance on Roles in Cricket that Require Vetting Checks, state the following roles require an ECB vetting check (DBS):
- Safeguarding Officer & Safeguarding recruiter
- Volunteer Co-ordinator
- Coach, Assistant Coach, Coach Support Worker
- All Stars/Dynamos Activator; All Stars/Dynamos Children’s Helper
- Umpires
- Junior managers or age group managers
- Junior Co-ordinators or supervisors
- Open Age Team Captains
- Physiotherapists & medical staff.
Other roles may require vetting checks specific to your club / organisation, if determined that the role is Regulated Activity. For further information please visit www.ecb.co.uk and search ECB Guidance on Roles in Cricket that Require Vetting Checks.
Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing in a safeguarding context means revealing and raising concerns over misconduct or malpractice within an organisation, or within an independent structure associated with it. It can be used as an early warning system or when it’s recognised that appropriate actions have not been taken. This approach or policy is adopted in many different walks of life. Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague’s conduct towards a child, young person or adult at risk, can report this to the Cricket Regulator Safeguarding Team by emailing safeguarding@cricketregulator.co.uk.
Reporting Discrimination
Discrimination of any kind is unacceptable. If you are aware of or witness discrimination ECB want to hear from you. Whatever discrimination you are aware of or have witnessed, your report will be reviewed and dealt with by the relevant cricket organisation. Reporting discrimination will help us to ensure cricket is a welcoming, inclusive, and diverse game for everyone. Click here to read more on how to report discrimination.
Whilst everyone is responsible for safeguarding, the Club Safeguarding Officer will make sure the Safe Hands policies and procedures are in place, and that everyone who should be vetted to work with children, is vetted by the ECB. 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. Please ensure your club / organisation members are aware who the Club Safeguarding Officer is and their contact details are available to all.
Code of Conduct
For Parents, Carers and Supporting Adults of junior Players
Each year, child welfare awareness increases in clubs as they recognise that they have a duty of care when they receive young people for coaching evenings or to play games. With the introduction of Club Safeguarding Officers (CSO) parents, players, coaches and managers have accepted their responsibility.
If anyone in a club has issues or concerns about young people they should immediately inform the CSO. If it’s a serious abuse of a child they will immediately inform the County Safeguarding Officer – Ken Palmer. All clubs must establish a sound ethos and this starts with players and parents. All clubs should address the area of parents behaviour at game and junior nights. Beneath this section is a Code of Conduct for parents which clubs can adapt and adopt. It should be given to all parents at the pre-season meeting. Additionally parents should be made aware of clubs policy for changing and showering, transport and photography. If parents are going to be contacted via texting, email or a community based website they should ensure this goes directly to parents’ rather than juniors.
Full details of ECB safeguarding policies and templates are on their web site and is where you will find supporting guidance and templates to help your club put measures in place to ensure you create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all, especially children – ECB safeguarding kit bag
All umpires and officials at junior matches should understand these regulations.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS
Parents should know what the club rules are regarding parents responsibility when bringing children to junior nights. It is suggested that parents of Primary age pupils should be told that they must remain on site and observe their child’s session. They must take responsibility for their child. Ideally the club will arrange these sessions directly in front of the pavilion. If they are going off site they should ask a responsible adult, who they trust in their group, to have responsibility. Secondary age pupils can usually be expected to arrive and leave by themselves unless travelling to the ground presents a hazard. What is important is that parents are made aware of the clubs policy.
Junior managers should also be aware that many young players arrive early to junior nights and have impromptu games in close proximity to each other with hard balls. It is pointless applying the above if we allow such games. Similarly, when organised coaching sessions finish and juniors continue to play on the outfield parents should be informed that they are responsible for their care.
Juniors should put on their own equipment. Juniors should be encouraged to bring their own water bottle to matches and training. Speak to the Juniors manager if you need advice. If they are taking any medication or have an illness that will affect their ability to participate let the coach know.
Take responsibility for organising transport to away fixtures. The coaches and managers already do a lot and this will help them. Parents of age group teams can support each other by sharing lifts. In addition if they notice other adults other than parents hanging around the teams they should identify them to the CSO.
Never openly criticise your child. If you consider they are not trying, think why and never punish or belittle a child for losing or making a mistake. Support your coaches. Never attempt to coach or move a fielder during a game. That is the manager’s role up to Under 11’s. Never complain to other parents about the coaches and managers selection and general running of a side. If you have an issue make an appointment to discuss in private any concerns you have.
Never question the umpire’s decisions or bother the scorers. Know the club rules about parents staying on site.
Parents should comply with the clubs photography policy. They should never publish in any form of media any still or video without the written permission of all parents of children present. Under no circumstances should any child be identified from their image.
Parents should be aware of the changing and showering policy for the club. If they agree they will sign to give permission for their child to change with adults when playing for adult teams.
Remember all your coaches and managers are volunteers. Consider helping the qualified coaches by assisting them with umpiring and taking a UKCC Level coaching course.
Club officials reserve the right to speak to and where necessary take appropriate sanctions if parents do not comply.