Statement of intent

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 be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING club. This means anyone who knows bullying is happening is expected to tell someone who can do something about it.

What is bullying?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can take many forms :

• Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (for example: hiding kit, or making threatening gestures)

• Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence

• Racist: racial taunts, graffiti and/or gestures

• Sexual: unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

• Homophobic: because of, or focusing on, the issue of sexuality

• Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours and teasing

• Cyber: bullying behaviour online or via electronic communication (email and text, social media etc) - misuse of associated technology, such as camera and video facilities

Why is it important to respond to bullying?

Bullying hurts. No one should be a victim of bullying. Everyone has the right to be treated with respect. Children who are bullying also need to learn different ways of behaving. Cricket clubs have a responsibility to respond promptly, and effectively, to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this policy

• All adults and children at the club should have an understanding of what bullying is

• All officials, coaching and non-coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported

• All children and parents should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises

• As a club, we take bullying seriously. Children and parents should be assured they will be supported when bullying is reported

• Bullying will not be tolerated. 

In cases of adults reported to be bullying cricketers under 18, the ECB must always be informed.

Signs and symptoms

A child may indicate, by signs or behaviour, that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of signs and investigate if a child:

• Says they are being bullied

• Changes their usual routine

• Is unwilling to go to the club

• Becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence

• Comes home with clothes torn or belongings damaged

• Has possessions which are damaged or go missing

• Asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay the bully)

• Has unexplained cuts or bruises

• Is frightened to say what’s wrong

• Gives improbable excuses for any of the above

In more extreme cases, the child:

• Starts stammering

• Cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares

• Becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable

• Is bullying other children or siblings

• Stops eating

• Attempts or threatens suicide or runs away

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying is a possibility and should be investigated.

Procedures

• Report any concerns about bullying incidents to the Club Safeguarding Officer  

• In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be reported to the ECB Safeguarding Team for advice via the County Safeguarding Officer

• Parents should be informed and invited to a meeting to discuss the problem

• If necessary, and appropriate, police should be consulted - for example if there has been assault, harassment or theft

• The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly

• An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour

In cases of adults reported to be bullying cricketers under 18, the ECB must always be informed

Prevention

We will use ‘Kidscape’ recommended methods to help children prevent bullying.

These may include:

• Developing a children’s code of conduct

• Agreeing behaviour contracts

• Having discussions about bullying and why it matters

Torquay cricket Club have adopted the guidance from the ECB.

This guidance applies to all settings where an under-18 is involved in disciplinary matters as a witness, alleged victim, alleged offender or any other way.

The processes that are followed must pay due consideration to safeguarding and welfare issues.

No part of the processes should be oppressive or intimidating for the young person.

As soon as it becomes apparent that the process involves an under-18, the County Safeguarding Officer must be informed.

Any Panel should consider whether they need the child to attend in person, and may discuss this with the County Safeguarding Officer. When making this decision consideration should be given to:

• the age of the child;

• the seriousness of the offence;

• the evidence likely to be given;

• the possible effect on a child.

Parents should be included in any invitation.

The County Safeguarding Officer will ensure that the child is properly supported, and will either act as, or appoint, a suitable ‘Safeguarding Chaperone’ for the investigative/disciplinary process, in consultation with the child’s parent(s).

The Safeguarding Chaperone is likely to be the child’s Club Safeguarding Officer (Club SO), unless there is potential conflict of interest (e.g. the Club SO is the parent, or the Club SO is also involved in the incident.) If this is the case then a Club SO from another club may be asked to assist, or a League WO, or the County Safeguarding Officer will undertake the role.

The Safeguarding Chaperone should have no other role in the proceedings - their involvement is purely in regard to the welfare of the child. The Safeguarding Chaperone should liaise  with the child and his/her family throughout, making sure the child is kept fully informed. He or she can act for more than one child at the same hearing if this is thought appropriate.

If a child does not wish to attend they cannot be compelled to do so.

The Safeguarding Chaperone will discuss the process with the child and his/her family to ensure they fully understand the procedure. If the child chooses to give a statement to the panel then ordinarily that statement should be prepared in advance in written format. This can be written by the child or any other person. It is important that this statement is the child’s views and words.

If, when attending the Panel, the child is to be questioned regarding their behaviour or what they have witnessed, all involved should bear in mind the age and potential vulnerability of the child in such a setting. Questioning should be conducted in a considerate manner, and must not be oppressive, persistent, lengthy or demeaning.

The Safeguarding Chaperone should ask the Chair of the panel to suspend proceedings immediately if they have any concerns about the manner or duration of questioning.

Where a child is found to have committed a disciplinary offence requiring potential sanction, consideration should be given to the child’s age and understanding, as well as their experience of life and of cricket, before any sanctions are issued.

Where it is necessary for a report to be circulated (either within the relevant cricket league or even to the press), any individual under 18 years of age must not have their details published.

Item descriptionTorquay Cricket Club adopt the guidelines of the ECB in relation to Missing children.

If a child goes missing, the following guidelines have been devised to clarify the actions to take:

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

2. 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. Reassure them you are doing all you can to locate their child. Remember the child may contact the parents directly so this action is very important

3. Organise all available responsible adults by areas to be searched. It is best to take a short time to organise the search properly so that all places are searched fully

4. Send searchers immediately to any exits to ensure the child has not left, and to any obvious potential danger spots such as nearby lakes or rivers.

5. Search the area in which the child has gone missing including changing rooms, toilets, public and private areas and the club’s grounds

6. Request all those searching to report back to a nominated adult at a specific point

7. 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

8. 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

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

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

11. 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

12. All missing child incidents MUST BE notified at the very earliest opportunity to the Club Safeguarding Officer, who must immediately notify the County Safeguarding Officer, and they must notify the ECB Safeguarding Team.

Torquay Cricket Club and the ECB is keen to promote positive images of children playing cricket and is not preventing the use of photographic or videoing equipment.

Please remember that photographs are considered ‘personal data’ in terms of Data Protection. Depending on the circumstance, consent from either the child, adult, or both should be sought before capturing, sharing or publishing images where a child can be identified, including posting on the club’s website etc.

In addition, as with all personal data you process, it should be processed in accordance with GDPR principles, and other relevant legislation and guidance.

Be aware that some people may use sporting events as an opportunity to take inappropriate photographs or film footage of children. All clubs should be vigilant about this. These individuals could attend the local cricket club allowing people to presume they are related to a child involved. Any concerns during an event should be reported to a club official or event organiser, who should approach the individual concerned wherever possible.

It is also possible that if a picture and name was placed in the local paper, the club website etc, the information could be used inappropriately. For this reason the ECB guidance is that a child’s picture and name should not appear together.

There may be other reasons why individuals may not wish their child’s photograph to be taken by someone they do not know personally, for example estranged parents looking to gain access to a child, or families that have fled abusive situations. Parents / carers must ALWAYS be offered the opportunity to withhold consent for photographs /filming of their child.

The ECB wishes to ensure photography and video footage taken within cricket is done so appropriately.

Parents and carers should not be prevented from taking pictures of, or filming, their children.For the avoidance of doubt, these guidelines also apply to live broadcasts on social media or other platforms.

• Photographs/images are not to be taken at matches or training without the prior permission of the parents/carers of the child. This permission can be given by proxy by the coach of each team only after parental consent for this has been granted. The coach must arrange this prior to attending matches

• If no consent has been given for a child, then it is to 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

• The children should be informed a person will be taking photographs

• The children should be informed that if they have concerns they can report these to the coach or team manager

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

• It is recommended that cricket tournaments/festivals/events/competitions set up a camera registration book for parents to complete

Use of images of children (for example on the web, in the media or in league handbooks), including broadcast on social media platfoms:

• Parental permission must be obtained to use the child’s image and, wherever possible, the image must be shown to the parents and child in advance. This will ensure that they are aware of the way the image will be used to represent cricket and the club

• A child’s permission must be sought to use their image. This ensures they are aware of the way the image is to be used to represent cricket and the club

• If the cricketer is named, avoid using their photograph

• If a photograph is used, avoid naming the child

• Only use images of children in appropriate kit, to reduce the risk of inappropriate use, and to provide positive images of the children

• Encourage the reporting of inappropriate use of images of children. If you are concerned, report your concerns to the County or Club Safeguarding Officer

Using video as a coaching aid:

There is no intention on the part of the ECB to prevent club coaches using video equipment as a legitimate coaching aid.

However, players and parents/carers should be aware that this is part of the coaching programme, and material taken in connection with coaching, must be stored securely and deleted or destroyed when a parent requests this, or when the material is no longer needed.

The parents/carers and children must provide written consent for the use of photography and video analysis

These guidelines apply to the arrangements to be made for adults, and children, using changing facilities.

• Adults must not change, or shower, at the same time using the same facility as children - if the same changing room is used then they must have different times

• If adults and children need to share a changing facility, they must do so at different times

• Mixed gender teams must have access to separate male and female changing rooms

• Due to the risks of inappropriate photography or filming, mobile phones must not be used in changing rooms

If children are uncomfortable changing or showering at the club, no pressure should be placed on them to do so and that they may want to change and shower at home.

Torquay Cricket Club and the ECB is committed to maintaining a culture where it is safe, and acceptable, for all those involved in cricket to raise concerns about unacceptable practice and misconduct.

You may be the first to recognise something is wrong but you may not feel able to express your concerns out of a belief that this would be disloyal to colleagues, or you may fear harassment, victimisation or disadvantage.

These feelings, however natural, must never result in a child continuing to be unnecessarily at risk.

Remember, it is often the most vulnerable children who are targeted. These children need someone like you to safeguard their welfare. Those involved in the sport must acknowledge their individual responsibilities to bring matters of concern to the attention of the relevant people. and/or agencies. Although this can be difficult, it is particularly important where the welfare of children may be at risk.

The ECB assures all involved in cricket that they will be treated fairly and that all concerns will be properly considered. In cases where the suspicions prove to be

unfounded, no action will be taken against those who report their suspicions/allegations, provided they acted in good faith and without malicious intent.

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects whistle blowers from victimisation, discipline or dismissal where they raise genuine concerns of misconduct or malpractice.

Reasons for whistle blowing

Each individual has a responsibility for raising concerns about unacceptable practice or behaviour:

• To prevent the problem worsening or widening

• To protect or reduce risk to others

• To prevent becoming implicated yourself

What stops people from sharing concerns (whistle blowing?)

• Fear of starting a chain of events

• Reluctance to disrupt work or training

• Fear of getting it wrong

• Fear of repercussions or damaging careers

• Fear of not being believed

What happens next?

• You should be given relevant information on the nature and progress of enquiries

• All concerns will be treated in confidence.

During the process of investigating the matter, every effort will be made to keep the identity of those raising the concern unknown, except to the minimum number of individuals practicable

• Your Club Safeguarding Officer, County Safeguarding Officer and the ECB have a responsibility to protect you from harassment or victimisation

• No action will be taken against you if the concern proves to be unfounded and was raised in good faith

• Malicious allegations may be considered a disciplinary offence

ECB Safeguarding Whistle Blowing Procedures (sharing concerns promptly and with confidence)

Should suspicions be raised via a “tip off”, the person receiving the tip off should attempt to obtain the following information from the informant:

• Name address and telephone number

• Names of individuals involved

• The manner of the alleged incident/s or circumstances

• Whether they will submit any evidence (if applicable)

• How they became aware of the nature of the allegation

• You should not attempt to deal with any allegation or suspicion yourself, rather inform your Club Safeguarding Officer or your County Safeguarding Officer or the ECB Safeguarding Team.

Specifically do not:

• Inform the person about whom the concern was raised

• Inform any other members, participants or employees

• Commence your own investigation

• Annotate or remove evidence

• Delay in reporting the suspicion

NEVER assume:

• “All is well, otherwise it would have been spotted earlier”

• “It doesn’t matter” or “no harm will arise”

• “Ignore it as it is not my responsibility”

• "Someone else must have reported it already"

Who do I tell?

The first person you should report your suspicion or allegation to is your Club Safeguarding Officer. If for any reason you cannot, or do not wish to report the matter to your Club Safeguarding Officer, you should refer to your County Safeguarding Officer. 

If you cannot, or do not wish to, report the information to either of these, then please contact the ECB Safeguarding Team by email on safeguarding@ecb.co.uk or telephone 020 7432 1200.

Alternatively you can also contact Public Concern at Work on 020 7404 6609 or whistle@pcaw.org.uk

Feedback

The amount of feedback relating to the issue will vary depending on the nature and result of the investigations. However, where possible, those who have raised concerns will be kept informed of the progress and conclusion of investigations, although they may not be informed of the detail unless they would need this information in order to safeguard children.

Coaches and managers will be responsible for children in their care when on the club premises or on arrival at opponents’ cricket grounds.

It is not the responsibility of the coach or team manager to transport, or arrange 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.

Please collect your child promptly at the end of the training/match. Coaches and managers give their time freely and have other commitments at the end of training/matches so need to be able to make sure that the children are collected safely and promptly.

If you are held up for some unavoidable reason please let the Coach/Manager know as soon as possible and make alternative arrangements if possible.

If your child is going home with another parent please ensure that the Manager/Coach knows at the beginning of the session. The Manager/Coach will not be able to let another child leave with someone else without prior knowledge.

Torquay Cricket Club have adopted the policy of the ECB and Child Protection in Sport Unit. This policy provides guidance on how Torquay Cricket Club (the club) uses the internet and social media, and the procedures for doing so. It also outlines how we expect members and volunteers, children or young people who are members of the cricket club to behave online.

Aims

The aims of our online safety policy are:

· to protect all children and young people involved with the club and who make use of technology (such as mobile phones, games consoles and the internet) while in our care

· to provide members and volunteers with policy and procedure information regarding online safety and inform them how to respond to incidents

· to ensure the club is operating in line with our values and within the law regarding how we behave online

Understanding the online world

As part of using the internet and social media, the club will:

   · understand the safety aspects – including what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviours for members and children – when using websites, social media, apps and other forms of digital communication

   · be aware that it doesn’t matter what device is being used for digital interaction, but that the same safety aspects apply whether it is a computer, mobile phone or game console

   · when using social media platforms (including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram), ensure that we adhere to relevant legislation and good practice guidelines

   · regularly review existing safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that online safeguarding issues are fully integrated, including: 

                  making sure concerns of abuse or disclosures that take place online are written into our reporting procedures   

                  incorporating online bullying (cyberbullying) in our anti-bullying policy

· provide training for the person responsible for managing the club’s online presence

Managing our online presence

Our online presence through our website or social media platforms will adhere to the following guidelines:

· all social media accounts will be password -protected

· the account will be monitored by a designated person, who will have been appointed by the club committee

· the designated person managing our online presence will seek advice from our designated safeguarding person to advise on safeguarding requirements

· inappropriate posts by children or members will be removed, explain why, and informing anyone who may be affected (as well as the parents of any children involved)

· account, page and event settings will be set to ‘private’ so that only invited club members can see their content

· identifying details such as a child’s home address, school name or telephone number shouldn’t be posted on social media platforms

· any posts or correspondence will be consistent with our aims

· we’ll make sure children and young people are aware of who manages our social media accounts and who to contact if they have any concerns about the running of the account

· parents will be asked to give their approval for us to communicate with their children through social media, or by any other means of communication

· parents will need to give permission for photographs or videos of their child to be posted on social media

· all of our accounts and email addresses will be appropriate and fit for purpose

What we expect of members and volunteers

· members should be aware of this policy and behave in accordance with it

· members should seek advice of the designated safeguarding person if they have any concerns about the use of the internet or social media

· members should communicate any messages they wish to send out to children and young people to the designated person responsible for the club’s online presence

· members should not ‘friend’ or ‘follow’ children or young people from personal accounts on social media

· members should make sure any content posted is accurate and appropriate, as young people may ‘follow’ them on social media

· members should not communicate with young people via personal accounts or private messages

· rather than communicating with parents through social media accounts, members should choose a more formal means of communication, such as face to face, in an email or in writing, or use a club account, profile or website

· at least one other member should be copied in to any emails sent to children or young people

· members should avoid communicating with children or young people via email outside appropriate hours

· emails should be signed off in a professional manner, avoiding the use of emojis or symbols such as ‘kisses’ (X’s)

· any disclosures of abuse reported through social media should be dealt with in the same way as a face-to-face disclosure, according to our reporting procedures

· smartphone users should respect the private lives of others and not take or distribute pictures of other people if it could invade their privacy

· staff and young people must not engage in sexting or send pictures to anyone that are obscene, indecent or menacing

What we expect of children and young people

· children should be aware of this online safety policy and agree to its terms

· we expect children and young people’s behaviour online to be consistent with the guidelines

Using mobile phones or other digital technology to communicate

When using mobile phones (or other devices) to communicate by voice, video or text (including texting, email and instant messaging), we’ll take the following precautions to ensure young people’s safety:

· members will avoid having children’s or young people’s personal mobile numbers and will instead seek contact through a parent or guardian

· we’ll seek parental permission on each occasion we need to contact children or young people directly; the purpose for each contact will be clearly identified and agreed upon

· a method of accountability will be arranged, such as copies of texts also being sent to the Club's Safeguarding Officer or to parents

· texts will be used for communicating information – such as reminding children or young people about upcoming events, which kit to bring or practice timings – and not to engage in conversation

· if a young person misinterprets such communication and tris to engage a member in conversation, the member will take the following steps:

* end the conversation or stop replying

* suggest discussing the subject further at the next practice or event

* if concerned about the child or young person, provide contact details for the Safeguarding Officer or appropriate agencies

Using mobile phones during sports activities

So that all children can enjoy and actively take part in sports activities, we discourage the use of mobile phones during such activities. As part of this policy we will:

· make children aware of how and who to contact if there is an emergency or a change to previously agreed arrangements with the club

· inform parents of appropriate times they can contact children who are away on trips and discourage them from attempting contact outside of these times

· advise parents that it may not be possible to contact children during activities and provide a contact within the club who will be reachable should there be an emergency

· explain to young people how using mobile phones during activities has an impact on their safe awareness of their environment, and their level of participation and achievement

Use of other digital devices and programmes

The principles in this policy apply no matter which current or future technology is used – including computers, laptops, tablets, web-enabled games consoles and smart TVs – and whether an app, programme or website is used.

If any digital devices are used as part of activities within the club:

· we expect children and young people to adhere to the guidelines surrounding online use and behaviour set out in our policy

· we’ll establish appropriate restrictions, more commonly known as ‘parental controls’, on any device provided to prevent misuse or harm

As a club, we commit to implementing this policy and addressing any concerns quickly and within these guidelines.