Bucks Cricket Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Policy Statement

Buckinghamshire Cricket CIO (Bucks Cricket) is committed to ensuring everyone participating in cricket does so in a safe, friendly, secure, and enjoyable environment. Everyone at the Bucks Cricket, whether as a player, coach, official, administrator, staff member, volunteer, spectator, parent, or carer has a role to play. Individually and collectively, it is our actions, both on and off the field which can help create a positive and inclusive culture.

We will do this by:

•             Having the right people in place

•             Creating the right culture and environment

•             Ensuring clear processes are in place for reporting and responding to safeguarding concerns

•             Adopting the ECB’s Safe Hands Policy and Guidance

Having the Right People in Place
Whilst everyone at Bucks Cricket has a responsibility for Safeguarding, we also have a designated Bucks Cricket Safeguarding Officer who has completed specialist Safe Hands training provided by the ECB.

The Bucks Cricket Safeguarding Officer is:

•             The first point of contact for all children, parents/carers volunteers, and members at Bucks Cricket

•             Responsible for ensuring that everyone who is working with children at Bucks Cricket is subject to appropriate safer recruitment processes

•             A source of safeguarding advice for the Bucks Cricket, its committee, and members

•             The Bucks Cricket’s main point of contact for the Cricket Regulator Safeguarding Team and other external safeguarding agencies

•             The person responsible for ensuring correct and comprehensive reporting procedures exist for raising and managing safeguarding concerns.

Creating the Right Culture and Environment
All participants in cricket, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability, have the right to enjoy the game in an environment that is safe from abuse of any kind. The Bucks Cricket recognises that safeguarding starts with setting high standards and promoting a positive culture which provides the best environment for participants to enjoy themselves and the game of cricket.

Anyone in a specialist role within the Bucks Cricket is also required to complete the Safeguarding for Specialist Roles training with the relevant additional module. This includes Captains and Team Managers, Coaches and Activators, Officials (Umpires and Scorers) and Board Trustees.

•             We encourage all of our members to complete the ECB online Safeguarding Induction, which can be accessed here

•             We ensure that all individuals working at or for Bucks Cricket are provided with the necessary support through education, training and continued professional development (CPD)

•             We ensure that all individuals working at or for Bucks Cricket are recruited and appointed in accordance with ECB Safer Recruitment guidance and relevant legislation and are committed to providing a welcoming, safe, and fun experience for children

•             We promote a listening culture where the views of children, parents/carers, volunteers and other Bucks Cricket members are proactively sought and acted upon. This helps us to create an environment where people have the opportunity and confidence to raise concerns, including concerns about poor practice, abuse and neglect

•             We seek to create a partnership with parents/carers so that they know what to expect from us and what we expect of them

•             We ensure that external organisations who are delivering services on behalf of Bucks Cricket have safeguarding measures in place which meet the requirements of Safe Hands.

Reporting and Responding to Safeguarding Concerns
It is our aim that everyone at the Bucks Cricket should feel confident to raise a concern, no matter how small. We believe that raising and dealing with concerns quickly, when they occur, supports a proactive safeguarding culture at the Bucks Cricket.

All suspicions, concerns and allegations will be taken seriously. We will follow the 3R’s with every concern: Responding appropriately, Recording confidentiality and Reporting where necessary, ensuring that concerns are dealt with in a fair and prompt manner.

Bucks Cricket recognises that it is not the responsibility of Bucks Cricket members to determine or investigate if abuse has taken place, but to act upon and report any concerns promptly.

We ensure that confidential information relating to safeguarding matters is shared appropriately and only with those who need to know. Information may need to be shared with the Cricket Regulator Safeguarding Team, or local agencies with statutory responsibility for safeguarding. If we are unsure, we will seek advice from the Cricket Regulator Safeguarding Team.

Adopting the ECB’s Safe Hands Policy and Guidance

•             Bucks Cricket has formally adopted the ECB’s Safe Hands Policy and guidance as part of our constitution

•             Bucks Cricket works within the ECB Safeguarding Procedure for the management of safeguarding investigations

•             We ensure that all individuals who work and volunteer at or for Bucks Cricket understand how Safe Hands applies to them.

Bucks Cricket Commitment
Buckinghamshire Cricket CIO are committed to this Safeguarding Policy Statement and will review it on an annual basis.