Introduction

The Club’s policies concerning changing/showering, missing children, transport, children playing in adult ‘open age group’ matches, photography/video, anti-bullying and the code of conduct, managing children away from the Club and E-safety guidelines are outlined below. These policies are based on the ECB’s Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children which can be viewed in full on ecb.co.uk. These policies will be reviewed on an annual basis and any comments or suggestions should be made to the Child Welfare Officer.

Changing/Showering Policy

Adults must not change, or shower, at the same time using the same facility aschildren.

Adults should try to change at separate times to children during matches, forexample when children are padding up.

If adults and children need to share a changing facility, the Club must haveconsent from parents that their child(ren) can share a changing room with adults inthe Club.

If children play for adult teams, they, and their parents, will be informed of the Club’s policy on changing arrangements.

Mixed gender teams will have access to separate male and female changing rooms.

Mobile phones must not be used in changing rooms.

Missing Children Policy

Ensure other children in your care are looked after appropriately while you organise a search for the child concerned.

Inform the child’s parents, if they are present at the event, or nominate an appropriate person to telephone them and advise of the concern.

Organise all available responsible adults of areas to be searched - including changing rooms,toilets, public and private areas and theClub’s grounds.

Request all those searching to report backto a nominated adult at a specific point. This nominated person should remain at this reference point and make a note of events, including a detailed physical description of the child. This should include approximate height, build, hair and eye colour as well as the clothing the child was wearing and where and when they were last seen. All this will be required by the police. If the search is unsuccessful you should then contact the police.

A report should go to the police no later than 20 minutes after the child’s disappearance is noted, even if the search is not complete.

If the police recommend further action before they get involved, follow their guidance.

If the police act upon the concern, always be guided by them in any further actions to take.

At any stage when the child is located, ensure you inform all adults involved including the parents, searchers and the police if, by then, they are involved.

All missing child incidents MUST BE notified at the very earliest opportunityto the Club Welfare Officer, who mustimmediately notify the County WelfareOfficer, and they must then notify the ECBChild Protection Team.

Transport To and From Matches and Training Policy

Parents/carers are responsible for the safe delivery and collection of their child for matches or training.

At the start of the season, information (where known) relating to all planned away fixtures or competitions will be made available to provide parents/carers with an opportunity to make appropriate arrangements.

For matches, Coaches and Club staff will be responsible for children in their care when on the Club premises or on arrival at opponent’s cricket grounds. On Friday training nights, the responsibility of the Coaches begins at the start of the coaching session and ends when it finishes at 8pm.

It is not the responsibility of the Coach to transport, the children to and from the Club or match.

The Club must receive permission from parents/carers for children to participate in all competitions and away fixtures /events.

Children Playing in Adult ‘Open Age Group’ Matches Policy

Making the transition from junior to open age group cricket is a significant event in any player’s cricket experience. The player’s safety, personal development needs and overall cricket experience are all considered. There is no definitive age at which a player should be introduced to open age cricket, but each case is to be determined on an individual basis, depending on the player’s ability and stage of cognitive and emotional maturity to take part at this level.

An opportunity for players to show their talents in an appropriate way will be provided in a supportive environment. Children who are just used as fielders will not fully experience the game.

ECB Fast Bowling Directives and Fielding Regulations will always be adhered to for junior players in open age group cricket.

Players who are selected in a County U12 squad in Spring for a Summer squad are eligible to play open age cricket. This is providing they are at least 11 years old on 1st September of the year preceding the season, are in School Year 7 on 1st September of the year preceding the season, and have written parental/carer consent to play. Sub-county and Club players must wait until they reach the U13 age group, be in Year 8 and be 12 years old on 1st September of the year preceding the season before being able to play in any open age group cricket. Written parental/carer consent is required.

In allowing these players to play in open age cricket ROTCC recognize the ‘duty of care’ obligations we have towards these young players.

The Duty of Care

Not to place a young player in a position that involves an unreasonable risk to that young player, taking account of the circumstances of the match and the relative skill of the player. Not to create a situation that places members of the opposing side in a position whereby they cannot play cricket as they would normally do against adult players.

Photography/Video Policy

Photographs/images are not to be taken during matches or training without the prior permission of the parents/carers of the child. This permission is given when parents sign the Club membership form.

If no consent has been given for a child on the player profile form, then it will be made known to the relevant person of the other team (e.g. coach/team manager) so the appropriate person/s taking photographs for the other team is/are aware and can avoid taking photographs of that particular child.

Concerns regarding inappropriate, or intrusive, photography should be reported to the Club Welfare Officer and recorded in the same manner as any other child protection concern.

Anti-bullying and the Code of Conduct Policy

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our children so they can train, and play, in a relaxed and secure atmosphere.

Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our Club.

If bullying does occur, all children should be able to tell, and know, incidents will bedealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING club. This means anyone who knows bullying is happening is expected to tell staff and officials.

Managing Children Away From the Club Policy

As of April 2012, no trips involving overnight stays are planned for juniors, i.e. players under the age of 18 for the forthcoming season. If this changes and juniors are to travel on an overnight trip, then this policy shall be prepared based on the ECB Guidelines on Managing Children Away from the Club.

E-Safety Guidelines Policy

The internet, mobile phones, gaming, social networking and other interactive services offer opportunities to reach, communicate and engage with those involved in cricket. However, as with any environment there are also potential risks. ROTCC promotes the safe and responsible use of communication and interactive communication technologies within the Club.

Potential Risks

  • Bullying by peers and people they consider ‘friend’
  • Posting personal information that can identify and locate a child offline
  • Sexual grooming, luring, exploitation and abuse contact with strangers
  • Exposure to inappropriate and/or illegal content
  • Involvement in making or distributing illegal or inappropriate content
  • Theft of personal information
  • Exposure to information and interaction with others who encourage self harm
  • Exposure to racist or hate material
  • Encouragement of violent behavior, such as ‘happy slapping’
  • Glorifying activities such as drug taking or excessive drinking
  • Physical harm to young people in making video content, such as enacting and imitating stunts and risk taking activities
  • Leaving and running away from home as a result of contacts made online

Policy

All Club members and their guests will:-

  • Take responsibility for their own use of communication and interactive technologies, making sure they use new technologies safely, responsible and legally within the context of cricket, and must not bring the Club, its members or cricket into disrepute.
  • Not use communication devices or services, including interactive services such as social networking, for inappropriate behavior online within the context of cricket. This includes bullying or harassment of others in any form, defamation, obscene or abusive language and the uploading of material which is libellous, defamatory, obscene, illegal, shows nudity or is violent.
  • Report any known misuses of communication and interactive technologies within the context of cricket, including unacceptable behaviour, inappropriate contact with children online and illegal content including sexual abuse/indecent images of children, according to the Club and ECB safeguarding policies and procedures.
  • Need to be aware that any report of the misuse of communication and interactive technologies within the context of cricket will be investigated according to the Club’s policy and procedures and may result in the Club’s sanctions being enforced. Depending upon the seriousness of the incident legal action may be taken and where suspected criminal activity has taken place a report will be made to the police.

In addition, Club Officials and appointed volunteers will:

  • Take responsibility for their professional reputation in the online environment, making sure they follow e-safety advice, adhere to privacy and safety settings and report any concerns in accordance with Club and ECB policies and procedures.
  • NOT ask for e-mail addresses, mobile phone numbers or social networking profiles of junior members (less than 18 years of age) or search for junior members on social networking services/search engines without the prior consent of parents and in line with the Club’s policy on the use of information including emergency situations.
  • NOT develop an online relationship with a young player with the intention of meeting them offline to engage in sexual activity. Sexual exploitation, including grooming a child under 16 years of age for the purpose of meeting to engage in sexual activity is a serious criminal offence.
  • NOT view, possess, make or distribute sexual abuse/indecent images of children. This is a serious criminal offence.

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