What is a Safeguarding Officer?
Why do clubs need a Club Safeguarding Officer?
Club Safeguarding Officers (CSO's) are vital members of the club and key to making an environment safe, welcoming and friendly for children to enjoy the game of cricket.
Whilst everyone is responsible for safeguarding, the Club Safeguarding Officer will make sure safeguarding policies and procedures are in place, and that everyone working with children is recruited safely and appropriately vetted by the ECB.
The CSO is the person that others come to if they have concerns, and having attended specific training, will know what to do in order to assist, or who to ask for further help.
What training do I need?
Club Safeguarding Officers need to attend two sets of initial training:
- The Safeguarding and Protecting Children course (currently online)
- The ‘Safe Hands Workshop’ which is run by SCB.
- A DBS vetted by the ECB is also required.
Every three years, the three requirements above must be updated.
Where do I start, what should I do first?
Within Cricket, we get our Safeguarding guidance from an ECB document called SAFE HANDS. This document informs us of the policies and procedures we need to have in place within cricket. It also guides us one what people require within our Club and who requires a DBS check. Cricket Coaches for example require, as a minimum, a coaching qualification, a ECB vetted Enhanced DBS and a First Aid Certificate.
How do I fit into my Club structure?
The Club Safeguarding officer is a critical role at the club - what can be more important than the safety and welfare of children within the club environment? The CSO should have a position on the Club Committee as a minimum standard. Safeguarding should be a standard agenda item and we recommend this is high on the agenda as an essential topic at every meeting.
Safeguarding is not your responsibility but a club responsibility - the ultimate ownership sits with the Club Chair.
Where can I get help?
There is lots of help available!
Every senior league has a League Safeguarding Officer.
Shropshire Cricket Board County Safeguarding Officer who can be contacted on sheila.dickie@shropshirecricketboard.co.uk
Providing a safe and welcoming environment can make a HUGE difference for children, keep them in the game and encourage others to join us.
Thank you for all that you do to keep our sport safe!
A copy of this document can be downloaded via the link below.