1. Child Protection Policy

2. Code of Conduct Policy

3. Equity Policy

4. Safeguarding Children Policy

Child Protection Policy

Wilsden CC is committed to ensuring that all young people who play cricket have a safe and positive experience. To this end the club has adopted the ECB 'Safe Hands - Cricket's Policy for Safeguarding Children' and any future versions of the Policy.

The ECB's 'Safe Hands' document can be found at www.ecb.co.uk

1. Introduction
This policy document is based on the guidelines set down in the ECB Document 'Safe Hands - Welfare of Young People in Cricket'. All Young People at Wilsden Cricket Club (WCC), regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability have the right;

• To be protected
• Enjoy their cricket in a safe environment
• Adults working for WCC with Young People will;
• Adhere to the standards set out in this document
• Provide a safe and positive and fun cricketing experience for Young People
• Will be educated in the best practice when working with young people
• Will be familiar with this document and have access to the ECB Welfare of Young People Cricket Policy via WCC Junior Cricket Manager.
• The Management Committee for WCC;
• Fully endorse the contents of this document.
• Ensure any allegations or suspicions relating to Young People will be dealt with swiftly and appropriately.

2.    Good Practice

• Ensure that cricket is fun, enjoyable and fair play is promoted
• Treat all young people equally with respect and dignity
• The welfare of the Young Person comes before winning
• Do not use bad language, smoke or drink while in charge of young people
• Work in an open environment both physically and emotionally eg encourage participation
• Give enthusiastic and constructive feedback
• Ensure proper records are kept and are at hand if required (including accident and injury)
• Ensure physical contact should be appropriate and with the Young Persons permission
• Always follow-up allegations made by a young person in accordance with the guidelines in the ECB Welfare of Young People Cricket Policy
• Keep your technical skills, qualifications and insurances up to date.
• Always inform a parent if
• You accidentally hurt a young person
• A young person seems distressed in some manner
• A young person misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done

3.    Poor Practice

• Never spend time alone with young people away from others
• Never take young people to your home where they will be alone with you
• Never engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games
• Never share a room with a young person (tours etc.)
• Never make sexually suggestive remarks to a young person.
• Never allow inappropriate language to be used unchallenged
• Never do things of a personal nature for a young person that they should do themselves
• Never transport young people in your car alone
• Never transport young people if you are not insured, your car has not a valid MOT or you are disqualified from driving 

4.    ECB Welfare Incident Form
This is part of the Welfare of Young People Cricket Policy document and therefore can be obtained via the Junior Cricket Manager and must be completed if any of the best practice guidelines above are breeched.
5.    Photography or use of video
Parents’ permission should be sought before young people’s pictures are put on the web-site. Video analysis plays a big part in the coaching of a young cricketer however parents’ permission should be sought before doing taking Video footage of their children and the footage should be stored. Full guidelines on the use of photography are included in the ECB guidelines
6.    Changing Facilities

• Children changing rooms under the age of 11 should be supervised at all times by staff of the same gender of the players
• Adults should not shower with children under 18
• If young people do not wish to shower in public they should be put under no pressure to do so. Encourage them to do so at home

7.    Guidance for parents

• Parents should be made aware that;
• WCC encourage coaching staff to be appropriately qualified and aware of all child protection issues
• WCC encourage parents to get involved with the club.
• If a parent/carer is late the club will
• Attempt to make contact with the parent/carer
• Wait with the young person (preferably accompanied by other adults)
• Not send a child home with another person without prior permission
• Remind parents/carers re late collection
• At a last resort inform social services or the police

8.    Use of alcohol or illegal substances

• Young people will not be allowed to drink alcohol, smoke or take illegal substances while at WCC.
• Adults should not drink alcohol, smoke or take illegal substances while in charge of young persons.

9.    Indicators of abuse

Through training WCC coaches will be able to recognise situations where children may have been abused, and guidelines exist to help them assist the young person in a appropriate manner and are set out in full in the ECB policy document. 

10.   Bullying and harassment

Similarly to the case with abuse, WCC Officers will be able to recognise situations where this is occurring and is obviously at odds with our policy of providing an environment where young people can enjoy their cricket. Bullying or harassment in any form will not be tolerated at the club and will be dealt with under the club’s disciplinary procedure.  

11.  Recruitment
WCC ask all staff to declare their suitability for working and will be vetted through CRB checks.

12.   Visibility

WCC will ensure that all members and parents within the club are aware of this document and the obligations that go with it.

End of Policy. Top

Code of Conduct Policy

Wilsden CC is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its members.

Wilsden CC believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents/carers or guardians associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others.

Therefore, members are encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with Wilsden CC.

The Club has adopted the following ECB Codes of Conduct:

Members and Guests

All Members and Guests of Wilsden CC 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 e.g. fair play
• Encourage all participants to learn the Laws and rules and play within them, 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 Young People above the development of performance
• Ensure that activities are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual
• Respect Young People’s opinions when making decisions about their participation in Cricket
• Not smoke, drink or use banned substances whilst actively working with Young People in the Club
• Not provide Young People 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 Young Person, following reporting procedures laid down by the ECB
• In addition to the above, all Club Officers and Appointed Volunteers will:
• Hold relevant qualifications and be covered by appropriate insurance
• Always work in an open environment (i.e. avoid private or unobserved situations and encourage an open environment)
• Inform Players and Parents of the requirements of Cricket
• Know and understand the ECB’s ‘Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children’
• Members and Guests include all members and officers of the Cricket Club and all guests of those members and officers, as well as all individuals who watch / attend / participate / officiate in matches hosted by the club in whatever capacity.

Young People

As members of Wilsden CC young people are expected to abide by the following junior code of conduct:

• Cricket is a competitive game to be played in an atmosphere of comradeship and enjoyed by players, umpires and spectators alike. The Upper Airedale Junior Cricket League, of which the Cricket Club is a member, expects that the following guidelines on behaviour should be adhered to:
• No one should dispute an umpire’s decision.
• No one should direct any form of abuse at players, officials or spectators.

Instances of the above will be regarded as misconduct by the Club/League and subject to disciplinary action.  Captains and team managers have a special responsibility to control their players on and off the field of play.  Clubs must ensure these responsibilities are enforced.  Players must learn to exercise self-discipline.

Guidelines for Parents/Guardians

• Encourage your child to learn the laws of the game and to play within the spirit of those laws.
• Discourage unfair play and disputes with officials/coaches.  Publicly accept the judgment of officials without argument or comment.  Use correct and proper language at all times.
• Help your child to recognise good performance not just results. Set a good example by recognising fair play and by applauding the good performance of all.
• Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy cricket and to develop within it.  Never force your child to take part in any sport. Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.  Do not forget children are involved in organised sport for their enjoyment and not yours.

Coaches and volunteers

• Observe the Conduct and Child Protection Policy
• Consider well-being and safety before performance
• Consider only activities appropriate to age, ability and experience
• Avoid exerting undue influence over players to obtain personal benefit or reward
• Value enthusiasm and good conduct as well as ability
• Develop appropriate working relationships with players, their teachers, clubs and their families, based on mutual trust and respect
• Promote the 'Spirit of Cricket'
• Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance
• Players are asked to be fair and help everyone to enjoy the game

End of Code of Conduct. Top

Equity Policy

Wilsden CC is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it aims to adopt and implement the ECB Cricket Equity Policy and any future versions of the policy and acknowledges the following Sport England definition of sports equity:

Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.

The Club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.

The Club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.

All Club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.

The Club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures.

It is essential that everyone fully understands the principle and operation of the policy and that we all accept responsibility for its overall effectiveness. The policy will be given to all staff, management and parents as part of an induction procedure.

Aims of the Policy

The Policy aims to challenge discrimination in all areas of our organisation. We aim to ensure that the club reflects and meets the needs of the local community and incorporates equal opportunities into all areas of work.

The Club will aim to:

• Ensure that the make-up of the management committee and staff team at all levels reflects the make-up of the local community.
• Establish good links with organisations or groups of people facing discrimination.
• Ensure that the premises are accessible for all members of the community. This may mean adaptation or conversion work.
• Increase awareness within the club of the needs of those who face discrimination and the effects of discrimination in society in general.
• Consider equal opportunities in all areas of the club's services and work.
• Consider establishing specific projects to promote equality of opportunity.

Statement of Intent

The club recognises that certain groups of individuals in society are discriminated against because of their race, colour, ethnic or national origin, gender, physical sensory or mental disability, marital status, whether they are lesbian or gay, age, social class, religious belief, employment status or if they are HIV positive.

Accordingly, the club is strongly committed to positive action to remove and/or counter discrimination in all aspects of the club work; in the practice as employers, in the way the club works with other organisations, and in all work with children, families and others.

Methods of Implementation

Equal opportunities will be considered in all aspects of the service the club provides. This will be reviewed regularly and monitored for effectiveness.

Language or behaviour designed to be offensive to any of the groups outlined in the statement is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the club.

Membership rules and notices to users should explicitly state that discriminatory language or behaviour is not acceptable.

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Safeguarding Children Policy

Wilsden Cricket Club (The Club) is committed to ensuring that all Children(*) participating in cricket have a safe and positive experience. (*The word “Children” should be taken to mean all persons under the age of 18.)

We will do this by:

1.  Recognising that all Children participating in cricket (regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability) have a right to have fun and be protected from harm in a safe environment.

2.  Ensuring that individuals working within cricket at or for our club provide a safe, positive and fun cricketing experience for children.

3.  Adopting and implementing the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) “Safe Hands –Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children” and any future versions of the policy.

4.  Appointing a Club Welfare Officer and ensuring that they attend all current and future training modules required by the ECB & the NSPCC, so that they have the necessary skills to be able to undertake their role effectively.

5.  Ensuring that all people who work in cricket at or for our club, (such as Staff, Officials, Volunteers, Team Managers, Coaches etc.) understand that the Safe Hands Policy applies to them according to their level of contact with children in Cricket.

6.  Ensuring that all individuals working within cricket at or for the club are recruited and appointed in accordance with ECB guidelines.

7.  Ensuring that all individuals working within cricket at or for the club are provided with support through education and training so that they are aware of and can adhere to good practice and code of conduct guidelines defined by both the ECB, and by the club.

8. Ensuring that the name & contact details for the Club Welfare Officer is available

1. as the first point of contact for parents, children & volunteers / staff within the club,
2. as a local source of procedural advice for the club, its committee & its members,
3. as the main point of contact within the club for the ECB County Welfare Officer and the ECB Child Protection Team, and as the main point of contact within the club for relevant external agencies in connection with child welfare,

9.  Ensuring that correct and comprehensive reporting procedures exist for raising and managing safeguarding and child protection concerns. Such procedures recognising the responsibility of the statutory agencies and in accordance with pre-defined safeguarding and child protection procedures as defined by the ECB, Statutory agencies and Local Safeguarding Children Board LSCB guidelines and policies.

10.   Providing everyone connected with the club (including parents, children and volunteers) with the opportunity to voice any concerns which they have (about possible suspected child abuse, and/or about poor practice) to the Club Welfare Officer.

11.   Ensuring that all suspicions, concerns and allegations are taken seriously and deal with swiftly and appropriately.

12.   Ensuring that access to confidential information relating to child welfare matters is restricted to the Club Welfare Officer and the appropriate external authorities as specified within ECB Safeguarding and child protection procedures.

End of Policy. Top