Safeguarding Policy

ALL ROUND CRICKET COACHING

Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy

& Procedures

Protecting children is everyone’s responsibility.

1. Introduction

All Round Cricket Coaching is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment for every child who participates in our programmes. We recognise that safeguarding children is not merely a legal obligation but a fundamental moral duty shared by every member of our organisation.

This Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy sets out our commitment to protecting children from harm and provides clear, practical guidance on preventing, identifying and responding to concerns about child abuse or neglect. It applies to all staff, coaches, assistants, volunteers, contractors and any individual who works with children on behalf of All Round Cricket Coaching.

2. Policy Statement

All Round Cricket Coaching is dedicated to the welfare and well-being of every child in our care. We believe that:

• Every child has an unconditional right to be safe from harm, abuse and exploitation.
• Every child deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and fairness, regardless of age, gender, race, disability, religion or background.
• Every child has the right to participate in cricket activities in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment.
• The welfare of the child is paramount and will always take precedence over any other consideration.

This policy is consistent with the requirements of the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023), and applicable guidance issued by Sport England, England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the NSPCC.

3. Roles & Responsibilities

1. All Round Cricket Coaching – Organisational Duties
   • Adopt, implement and regularly review this Safeguarding Policy.
   • Ensure adequate resources are allocated to safeguarding training and compliance.
   • Maintain a culture in which child protection concerns can be raised openly and without fear of reprisal.
   • Cooperate fully with statutory agencies including local authority children’s services and the police.

2. Child Protection Officer (CPO)

The designated Child Protection Officer is:

The CPO is responsible for:

• Overseeing the implementation, monitoring and annual review of this policy.
• Receiving and recording all child protection concerns and referrals.
• Liaising with local authority children’s services, the police and other statutory bodies as required.
• Maintaining appropriate training to at least the level required by ECB and local safeguarding partnership standards.
• Ensuring all staff and volunteers are aware of safeguarding procedures and their individual responsibilities.
• Keeping accurate, confidential records of all concerns, actions taken and outcomes.

3. Coaches, Staff & Volunteers
   • Familiarise themselves with this policy and attend all mandatory training.
   • Model appropriate, professional behaviour at all times.
   • Report any concern about a child’s welfare to the CPO without delay.
   • Never investigate concerns alone or promise confidentiality to a child.
   • Cooperate with any investigation conducted by statutory agencies.

4. Parents & Guardians
   • Provide up-to-date emergency contact information at registration and notify the organisation of any changes promptly.
   • Disclose relevant medical conditions, additional needs or vulnerabilities so appropriate support can be arranged.
   • Communicate any safeguarding concerns directly to the CPO.
   • Support the organisation in promoting a safe and respectful environment for all children.
5. Code of Conduct

All individuals associated with All Round Cricket Coaching – including staff, volunteers and participants – are required to observe the following standards of behaviour.

1. Expected Behaviours
   • Treat all children with respect, fairness and encouragement.
   • Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
   • Ensure one-to-one sessions take place in visible, open environments wherever possible.
   • Use age-appropriate, respectful language in all communications.
   • Obtain consent before any physical contact, such as assisting with technique.
   • Communicate with children only through official, organisation-approved channels.

2. Prohibited Behaviours

5. Safe Recruitment

All Round Cricket Coaching is committed to robust recruitment practices to ensure that everyone working with children is safe and suitable to do so.

1. Recruitment Process
   • All applicants must complete an official application form.
   • At least two satisfactory references must be obtained and verified prior to appointment.
   • A face-to-face or virtual interview must be conducted before any appointment is confirmed.
   • Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are mandatory for all staff and volunteers who have regular contact with children.
   • A check against the DBS barred list must be carried out before the individual begins work.
   • Overseas applicants or those with periods of residence abroad must provide equivalent criminal record checks from the relevant country or countries.

2. Probationary Period & Ongoing Checks
   • All new appointments are subject to a probationary period during which suitability will be monitored.
   • DBS disclosures will be renewed every three years, or sooner if concerns arise.
   • Any subsequent caution, charge or conviction must be declared immediately and will be reviewed in line with the organisation’s disciplinary procedures.

3. Induction
   • All new staff and volunteers must complete a safeguarding induction before working unsupervised with children.
   • Induction will cover: this policy, the Code of Conduct, reporting procedures and emergency contacts.

6. Training & Education

1. Staff & Volunteer Training

2. Child & Young Person Education
   • Age-appropriate sessions on personal safety, body autonomy and recognising unsafe situations will be delivered to all participants.
   • Children will be informed of how to report concerns, and to whom, in language appropriate to their age and understanding.
   • The organisation will periodically share safeguarding information with parents and guardians through newsletters, the website and parent evenings.

7. Reporting & Response Procedures

1. How to Raise a Concern

Any person who has reason to believe that a child has been, or is at risk of being, abused or neglected must report this without delay. Concerns should never be dismissed or left unaddressed.

2. Responding to a Disclosure
   • Receive what the child tells you calmly and without expressing shock or disbelief.
   • Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by speaking out.
   • Avoid leading questions; use open phrases such as ‘tell me more about that’.
   • Do not promise to keep secrets.
   • Inform the child that the information may need to be shared with appropriate professionals to keep them safe.

3. Confidentiality & Information Sharing
   • All safeguarding information will be handled in accordance with GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
   • Information will only be shared with individuals who have a clear need to know, including statutory agencies with child protection responsibilities.
   • Records will be stored securely and separately from general personnel files.
   • Sharing information is never a breach of confidentiality where it is necessary to protect a child from harm.

8. Review & Monitoring

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Child Protection Officer, or sooner in the event of any of the following:

• Changes in legislation or statutory guidance.
• A safeguarding incident or near-miss within the organisation.
• Recommendations arising from a serious case review.
• Significant changes to the organisation’s structure or activities.

Compliance with this policy will be monitored through periodic audits, staff surveys and review of training records. The outcomes of monitoring will be reported to senior management and used to drive continuous improvement.

9. Communication & Availability

• This policy will be published on the All Round Cricket Coaching website and made available in hard copy upon request.
• All new staff and volunteers will receive a copy of this policy during induction.
• Parents and guardians will be notified of this policy at the time of their child’s registration.
• Any amendment to this policy will be communicated to all relevant stakeholders within 14 days of adoption.

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Child Protection Officer, Tyrone Buckley.

10. Organisational Commitment

Acknowledgement & Sign-Off

This document supersedes all previous versions of the All Round Cricket Coaching Child Protection Policy.