ECB Clubmark Criteria: The club has adopted and implemented the ECB 'Safe Hands - Cricket's Policy for Safeguarding children'

Hayfield Cricket Club has adopted the principles, Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport in support of DCCB and ECB ‘Safe Hands’ Child Protection Policy. This policy has been drawn up to protect both the children and anyone working with children in Hayfield Cricket Club. They should be followed at all times. If members have any queries please contact the Committee.

A child is anyone under the age of 18.

Adult members shall ensure the safety of children and that they enjoy playing cricket for Hayfield Cricket Club.

Members should always be publicly open when working with children and should avoid situations where they are completely unobserved with an individual child.

If travelling with a child to an ‘away’ match, ensure that verbal parental permission has been granted.

Ensure that parents are asked to collect their children in time. Never leave a child alone at a ground.

Members acting as coaches should have appropriate qualifications. Parents are invited to help in the running of cricket at Hayfield Cricket Club. Please see a member for details of how you may help. Details of Coaching Courses will be advertised in the clubhouse as and when they are available.

All members involved with Junior Cricket organization & coaching must undergo a positive Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check. Other members must have completed a self certification Form. These checks must be completed by May 2005.

Coaches/members should ensure that actions that they direct are appropriate to the age of the children concerned.

Members should always promote the positive side of cricket, never condone violations of the Laws, never encourage bad sportsmanship or condone the use of prohibited substances. Children should not be offered alcohol.

Members of all ages should consistently display high standards of personal behaviour both on and off the field, should not use inappropriate language and must show respect for both equipment and facilities.

Use any form of corporal punishment or physical force on a child.

Exert undue influence over a child participant in order to obtain personal benefit or reward.

Engage in rough physical games, sexually provocative games or allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any kind and/or make sexually suggestive comment about/to a child.

Members should ensure that appropriate protective equipment is provided and used by children.

As well as the normal protective equipment used for cricket, children must use helmets for batting and wicket keeping (standing up).

To avoid burn out, children should not be allowed to bowl any more over than the maximum stated in the ECB guidance on fast bowling.

All injuries to children must be reported to the Committee.

Hayfield Cricket Club Committee recommended these guidelines at its meeting in March 2004.

Our Child Protection Officers are:

Mr. Stuart Graham Tel: 01663 745730

Mr. Michael Roach Tel: 01663 747104

Child Protection Officers must have attended an ECB course on Child Protection.

We, in Hayfield Cricket Club, are committed to best practice sport, which protects children from harm. Members, coaches, officials and volunteers/helpers in Hayfield Cricket Club accept and recognise their responsibilities under the DCCB and ECB Guidelines about safeguarding children and will endeavour to carry these out by:

• Junior Coaches must have attended ‘Good Practice in Child Protection’ & ‘Equity in Coaching’ courses

• Adopting the principles the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport as above.

• Appointing a minimum of 2 Child Welfare Officers.
• Putting in place procedures to deal with concerns, complaints of ill discipline.
• Appointing an Officer to liase with the statutory authorities in relation to the reporting of allegations or suspicions of child abuse.
• Having an awareness of the issues that cause children harm.
• Adopting child protection guidelines for coaches, officials and volunteers/helpers and disseminating to all members of the Club.
• Providing information about child protection and good practice to children, parents, coaches, officials and volunteers/helpers.
• Sharing information about concerns with children, parents and others who need to know.
• Following carefully the procedures for the recruitment and selection of coaches, officials and volunteers/helpers.
• Being involved in training.
• Keeping child protection issues under regular review.
• Taking cognisance of guidance emanating from the DCCB and ECB.

Inevitably there may be the need for handling complaints against an adult engaged in the coaching and care of Junior Cricketers. In the first instance this will be dealt with by the General Committee (as outlined in the Club Rules) or if applicable the appropriate authorities.

Equally there may be the need for handling complaints against Junior Members. In the first instance this will be investigated by the Junior Committee. If it is felt that further action is

needed the matter will be referred to the General Committee for a decision on the future course of action. Should it be decided that counselling or disciplinary action or recompense to

the Club is needed, then the child, child’s parents and club representatives shall be invited to a disciplinary hearing. The panel shall be constituted as per Club Rules. The results shall then be communicated by letter to the parents. Any subsequent Appeal will be conducted as per Club Rules.

It is important to strictly adhere to the following policy.

1. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL THE CLUB BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF ITS JUNIOR MEMBERS WHEN THEY HAVE LEFT THE CRICKET CLUB PREMISES FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF THE PRACTICE OR GAME.

 

2. OR, IN THE EVENT IS HELD AT AN ALTERNATIVE SITE (E.G. AWAY GAMES) WHEN THE CHILD HAS BEEN SAFELY RETURNED TO THE HOME CLUB OR AGREED DROP OFF POINT.

SIGNED: ……………………………………………. DATED: ………………………

CHAIRMAN: ……………………………………………………………………………..