There is a legal requirement under the Duty of Care Act for Cricket Clubs, Coaches, Captains and Team Manage, to provide an environment which is safe, effective and child friendly, in which junior members can play their cricket.
CHESHIRE CLUBS CRICKET COMMITTEE
Model Club Child Protection Policy
|
|
There is a legal requirement under the Duty of Care Act for Cricket Clubs, Coaches, Captains and Team Manage, to provide an environment which is safe, effective and child friendly, in which junior members can play their cricket. |
|
|
It is intended that the Sport England ClubMark scheme will become one means by which Clubs can demonstrate to parents that they take their responsibilities in this area seriously. |
|
|
Clubs should consider adopting a Child Protection Policy, electing a Child Protection Member of Officer and sending appropriate members on 'Good Practice in Child Protection' courses. |
|
|
Coaches, both existing and new, should be asked to fill in self-declaration forms, which may well need vetting in the near future by the police Criminal Records Bureau, as is currently the case with teachers. |
|
|
Clubs should then advertise to parents the steps that they have taken to create the correct environment for their children. This may be done by obtaining the right to use the ClubMark logo or circularising the steps taken by the club. |
|
|
The model documents below have been drawn up as an example of what is needed. They were produced by the Cheshire County Cricket League, a member of the Committee, as an example to their clubs, but are valid for any cricket club. |
CHESHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
March 2006
Adopted by
..
CRICKET CLUB
This document is produced to draw clubs attention to the need for a child protection policy. The League will make available to member clubs current documents produced by the ECB and Sports Coach UK. This is a first step and attendance at courses will be required. Police checks will become part of a policy. This document is produced by the Cheshire County Cricket League at the request of the League Executive Committee to draw clubs attention to the need to have a child protection policy. It is the responsibility of each club to protect its junior members, this document is for guidance purposes only.
Cover
Good Practice at Cricket Club
Cricket Club aims to create an enjoyable environment for all juniors who wish to take part in cricket, other sport and social activities at the club.
The club emphasises that young people have the right to be safe, secure and free from threat.
The club acknowledges that young people have the right to be treated with respect and for their concerns to be listened to and acted upon.
The club will ensure that junior members have specific programmes and facilities designated for them, with adequate supervision.
The club will ensure that the Coaches are aware of this Child Protection Policy and that there will be further developments in the near future. E.g. Attendance at courses on child protection and the need for police background checks. All team managers, coaches, adult captains and others who are responsible for young persons in the club will sign the club self declaration form in relation to Child Protection.
The club will ensure that any club members and volunteers working with young people are aware of and apply the ECB policy to Child Protection, and have signed the club self declaration form in relation to Child Protection.
The club has an adult member who is specifically responsible for young people.
The club has procedures in place to help any young person who requests help and support on a confidential basis, in issues relating to Child Protection.
1.
CLUB CHILD PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENT
GOOD PRACTICE AT CRICKET CLUB
Those working with children in cricket should:
1. Be professional and maintain the highest standards of personal behaviour at all times.
2. Be aware of situations, which can be misconstrued or manipulated by others. For example, if the coach or official is alone with a child in the clubhouse, changing rooms or similar place, they are open to the possibilty of allegations about their behaviour.
3. Be vigilant and aware, of how actions can be misinterpreted.
4. Not appear to favour or show interest in one child more than another.
5. Be very aware that physically handling a player, perhaps to help develop a game skill such as the forward defensive stroke, can be misconstrued by an observer or even by the player.
6. Never swear or use or respond to sexual innuendo.
7. Design and use training methods and training programmes, which are wholly appropriate to the individual player.
8. Ensure that, as far as possible, they are not alone when working with young players on an individual basis. If this is unavoidable then the parents should be made aware of the situation for the sake of the coach or official. This also means that children should not be alone in cars or homes with a coach/official on a regular basis. The presence of others is an insurance against false accusations.
9. Conduct all dealings with children in a public environment in full view of others, in order that all behaviour can be observed.
10. On tours/trips away from home, ensure that another adult is always present when working with children. For example, another adult should always be present if a child's room is visited at any time and the door should always be left open.
11. Report any concerns within the area of Child Protection (physical, emotional, sexual or neglect), in confidence and without delay, to the Coach Education Director or a responsible person who can give advice and recommend any necessary action.
12. Not, at any time, discuss an allegation or suspicion with another person, other than the police, before either the above person or a responsible person has been contacted.
13. When reporting an allegation or suspicion, record information, including relevant details (This includes the nature of the allegation, background information of the parties involved, the period of time to which the allegation relates and the degree to which the information is known to be fact rather than opinion or hearsay).
14. At no time make comment to the media. The ECB Press Office should be made aware of any media interest in relation to child protection.
In the event of an allegation of improper behaviour being made, the personal conduct and professional behaviour of the adult will be very important evidence. For child abuse to take place, particularly sexual abuse, the child and the adult(s) will generally be alone and away from public view. Thus the best defence is to avoid all situations in which behaviour cannot be observed.
2.
Child Protection Policy: The CHILD PROTECTION MEMBER
The Child Protection Member with responsibility for the young members of
Cricket Club is
Name .
Tel. No. ..
Please speak to the above named person if you suspect that a young member of
Cricket Club is at risk of any form of abuse while taking part in Club Activities or using the Club Facilities.
The above named has full discretion on matters which may be brought to his/her attention and will act with total confidentiality on issues which are extremely sensitive to any persons involved.
The Child Protection Member with responsibility for the protection of young members of
.. Cricket Club, will:
Be open to easy contact by any person who has reasonable suspicion that abuse is taking place or is likely to take place.
Carry out vetting procedures for all adults (parents / members) who are involved in clubs activities (coaching, teams and transport arrangements) that bring them into regular contact with young members.
Liaise with the Chairman as and when the outcome of enquiries warrants formal procedures be taken.
Each club needs to have some form of disciplinary procedure within its constitution that gives officers/committee the power to suspend, exclude, expel members.
3.
Child Protection Policy: Self Declaration Form
Personal disclosure for all Coaches, Club Officials and Volunteers working or in contact with young people and children in the Cricket Club.
Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence or been the subject of a Caution or Bound Over Order?
Yes No ..
If 'Yes' please give details:
Have you ever been subject to any disciplinary action or sanctions relating to Child Abuse?
If 'Yes' please give details:
You are required to self-certify that you are not known to ANY Social Services Department as being an actual or potential risk to children; that you have not been disqualified or prohibited from fostering children or had any rights or powers in respect of any child vested in or assumed by a local authority or had a child ordered to be removed from your care.
Signed Dated .
Name .
Any Surnames previously known by
Address ..
.
.
Date of birth .. Place of birth .
I understand that under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, as amended by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Amendment) 1986, I must declare all convictions (including 'spent' convictions). 1 will advise the club of any convictions incurred by me after completion of this form.
I understand that the ECB reserves the right to make reference to the Local Authority 'Social Services Department and Police Records to verify the information given by this form. This form will be held securely by the club.
This form will be confidentially held by the Club Child Protection Member.
4.