The ECB Safe Hands Policy contains an abundance of useful information, resources and templates. By following the advice and guidance in Safe Hands, and putting a safeguarding framework in place, your club will be following best practice, have the knowledge and confidence to recruit responsibly, manage bullying and harassment, report concerns and much more.

Safe Hands Management System (SHMS)

SHMS is an online club management tool whereby the ECB will require all county boards and clubs to input the details of individuals in key regulated roles or those with responsibilities for the management and running of county and club activities.

• All clubs with junior sections and any club fielding under-18 players in open age cricket must meet safeguarding standards
• The club must adhere to the ECB Safe Hands Policy and Procedures
• Each club must have a trained and vetted club safeguarding officer
• All adults who work with children at the club have must have a current ECB DBS check in place
• All adults who work with children in cricket must have undertaken the appropriate ECB training

For more information, please contact Brian Hoyle. More information and FAQs around the SHMS can be found here.

Children

Everyone involved in cricket, whether it is at Club, Area or County level, has a duty to ensure the safety and welfare of any young person involved in the sport. From prevention to protection, safeguarding in sport is Everyone’s Responsibility and involves keeping young people out of harm’s way both on and off the cricket pitch. It is not the responsibility of any individuals within the Club, Area or County to determine if abuse has taken place, but it is their responsibility, and the responsibility of everyone within cricket, to confidentially report concerns to the relevant Club Safeguarding Officer, the County or Deputy County Safeguarding Officer, ECB or Child Protection experts.

Adults

We want clubs to support everyone involved in the game and this extends to supporting all their members of all ages. Any one of us may at some stage be struggling and it is important to look out for one another both on and off the pitch. If you are concerned about someone, ask them if they are OK? Signpost organisations that may be able to help them and make sure you also let the Club Safeguarding Officer know you have concerns. If you have immediate concerns for the welfare of an adult, call the emergency services. When we talk about “safeguarding adults” this is usually done in consultation with them, according to their wishes, but there are occasionally circumstances where we need to report without their consent – contact the County Safeguarding Officer for advice.

All Clubs need to have a Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO).  We value our CSOs and want you to feel appreciated and supported in your role. Do not hesitate to contact the County Safeguarding Officer or Deputy for information and advice.

What does my club need to do?

Safeguarding children in your Club will not be implemented overnight. It is a long-term and ongoing process. It is the responsibility of the whole club to implement the appropriate Safeguarding policies and procedures. 
All clubs should have a qualified club safeguarding officer (CSO) as an essential part of their safeguarding structure. Safeguarding officers are vital members of the club and key to making an environment safe, welcoming, and friendly for all to enjoy the game of cricket. If your club does not have an appointed club safeguarding officer, it should appoint one as soon as possible. For further information about the role of the CSO, please contact the County Safeguarding Officer.

Appointing a Club Safeguarding Officer

Your Club Safeguarding Officer will be the first point of contact for everyone within the club, the County Safeguarding Officer and the ECB for child safeguarding matters. They also will be ensuring the Club is adopting and implementing the various safeguarding activities necessary for it to demonstrate its duty of care for children.

Ideally, the club will appoint a CSO who is not a coach; it is very difficult for children to report a concern to their coach, especially if it is about them. The Club may consider appointing 2 CSOs and this is encouraged. Club Safeguarding Officers should be friendly, welcoming, professional and visible at the club. Whilst not expected to be at the club all the time, it is important children, parents, coaches and club members know who they are, how to contact them, and feel confident to contact them.

Support for the Club Safeguarding Officer

The County and Deputy County Safeguarding Officers are here to support you in your role. We are pleased to offer help and guidance; you may have an idea about good practice, have a question about possible poor practice or a concern about a child or adult protection matter – please do not hesitate to get in touch if you want any information or support.

Please note, all possible safeguarding concerns about any club members, including players and parents, should be communicated to the County Safeguarding Officer. If you are made aware of anything of concern, please forward to the County Safeguarding Officer to enable us to risk assess, and safeguard (where necessary) members of your club and other clubs.

DBS Update January 2023

The ECB have provided an update on improvements to the DBS Update Service. This includes an annual online request for applicants to re-confirm their details to ensure they are holding the most accurate information in relation to their role in cricket, including their club / county / organisation they volunteer/work for and their contact details.

Further information can be found here.

DBS Checking

Somerset Cricket Foundation & ECB is firmly committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for children to enjoy the game. It is essential that cricket clubs follow Safer Recruitment practices to ensure all staff and volunteers in cricket are suitable for their role, appropriately vetted and supported by their club.

As part of Safer Recruitment practice, clubs should consider taking the following measures:

• Clearly identify the role you are recruiting for
• Identify the skills and knowledge required for the role
• Interview volunteers (formally or informally) – explore why they are interested in the role and why they want to be involved in cricket
• Collect references from a suitable organisation such as an employer, community organisation or previous club
• Ask to see certificates and evidence of qualifications
• Supervised Trial Session – this is particularly relevant for coaches and will enable you to see how they engage with children, young people, parents and other club members
• Discuss with the individual any gaps in their skills and knowledge and what training may be appropriate to address these
• Support the individual on an ongoing basis, including 1:1 check-ins, observations, recognising achievements and training needs.

All organisations working with children have safeguarding responsibilities and clear requirements placed upon them by legislation.

This applies whether you are a club, league, panel or another organisation. Legislation exists to ensure safer recruitment practices are followed, including DBS checks for those in regulated activity.

The roles in cricket that require an ECB Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check can be found here.

All DBS applications should now be completed online. If you need to complete a DBS application, the following information is required:

1. Full Name
2. Date of Birth
3. Preferred Email Address
4. Club affiliation
5. Role that you require a DBS check for

Please email this information to your Club Safeguarding Officer who will be able to send you an online DBS application link, providing they are registered as an online DBS verifier.

If your CSO is not an online DBS verifier, email the contacts below with the above information and they will be able to set up a DBS application for you:

• Brian Hoyle – Safeguarding Manager & County Safeguarding Manager
• Amanda Counsell – Deputy County Safeguarding Officer

DBS for non-UK resident

Overseas Player/Coach – the Government’s Points Based Managed Migration system means that cricket clubs will need to obtain a sponsor licence from the UK Borders Agency in order to bring cricketers and coaches into the country. Please see the ECB Managed Migration Section of their website.

Anyone living overseas, or who has lived overseas for 6 months or more in the last 5 years, who holds a role normally requiring a DBS disclosure will be required to complete a Non-UK Residents Vetting Form, and be cleared by the ECB, before being allowed to take up their position of Regulated Activity (eg coaches, CSOs, Umpires, Scorers, Team Managers, etc). With the ECB Non-UK Vetting Form the applicant will need to supply:

• a Police Check / Certificate of Good Conduct from the Overseas Country issued within the last 3 months and
• a copy of the photo page of their passport and
• a copy of their visa (if applicable).

NB – They should obtain the Police Check BEFORE they leave their country; it is much easier and in some countries this can only be applied for face-to-face. For information on how to obtain a Police Check / Certificate of Good Conduct from the Overseas Country please click here.

Further information around the U.K. Border Agency Health & Safety (UKBAHS) Process for Overseas Players/Coaches can be found here.