Inclusion & safeguarding

 

Parents/Guardians, or another responsible adult who has been chosen by the parent/guardian of the child or young person being transported, are responsible for transporting their child to all training sessions and matches. Any agreement made between a parent/guardian and their chosen responsible adult will be deemed as a private arrangement.

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Under no circumstances are coaches able to transport junior players to training sessions or matches.

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Coaches are responsible for children in their care when on the club premises or on arrival at an opponent's ground.

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Player participation is important to Rodmersham Cricket Club and this policy is not intended to exclude any members. If you are a parent/guardian who has concerns regarding transportation, please speak with the Head Coach or Club Safeguarding Officer.

(Junior players/child/children refer to anyone who is under the age of 18yrs)​​

 

Rodmersham Cricket Club (The Club) is committed to ensuring all Children (i.e. all persons under the age of 18) participating in cricket have a safe and positive experience.

 

We do this by:

1) Putting things in place

2) Having the Right People in Place

3) What do you do if you have a concern?

4) Cricket Specific Guidance

 

1) Putting things in place

We recognise all children participating in cricket (regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability) have the right to have fun and be protected from harm in a safe environment We ensure individuals working within cricket at, or for, our club provide a welcoming, safe, and fun experience for children. We provide an environment where the views of children, parents and volunteers are sought and welcomed on a range of issues. This will help us create an environment where people have the opportunity to voice any concerns (about possible suspected child abuse/neglect, and/or about poor practice) to the Club Safeguarding Officer. We Adopt and implement the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) “Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children” We ensure all individuals working within cricket at, or for, the club are recruited and appointed in accordance with ECB guidelines and relevant legislation

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2) Having the Right People in Place

Appointing a Club Safeguarding Officer and ensuring they attend training modules required by the ECB, Our Club Safeguarding Officer’s details are below:

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Name: Rebecca Lateu

Email address: RodmershamCCsafegaurding@gmail.com

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Club Safeguarding Role

As the first point of contact for parents, children and volunteers/staff within the club. As a local source of procedural advice for the club, its committee and members. As the main point of contact within the club for the ECB County Safeguarding Officer and the ECB Safeguarding Team. As the main point of contact within the club for relevant external agencies in connection with child safeguarding. Ensuring correct and comprehensive reporting procedures exist for raising and managing child safeguarding concerns.

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3) What do you do if you have a concern?

We ensure all suspicions, concerns and allegations are taken seriously and dealt with swiftly and appropriately. We ensure access to confidential information relating to child safeguarding matters, is restricted to those who need to know, in order to safeguard children – including the Club Safeguarding Officer and the appropriate external authorities, such as the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), as specified within ECB child safeguarding procedures.

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4) Cricket Specific Advice

We ensure all individuals working within cricket at, or for, the club are provided with support, through education and training, so they are aware of, and can adhere to, good practice and Code of Conduct guidelines defined by the ECB, and the club. We ensure all people who work in cricket at, or for, our club (such as staff, officials, volunteers, team managers, coaches and so on) understand how the “Safe Hands Policy” applies to them.

 

Rodmersham Cricket Club 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.

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What is bullying?

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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:

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• 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?

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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.

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Objectives of this policy

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• 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.

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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

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In more extreme cases, the child:

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• 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

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

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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.​

 

​To create an environment where no individual or group experiences discrimination or acts in a discriminatory manner on the basis of a Protected Characteristic (as defined in the Equality Act 2010 from time to time – which at the time of writing are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation). This Code therefore sets out discriminatory behaviour which, when carried out by a participant who is required to comply with it, will be a breach of the Code and may be sanctioned accordingly.

 

Skin cancer is the world’s most common cancer, mainly affecting those who spend lots of time outdoors without sun protection. With just one blistering sunburn in childhood doubling the risk of melanoma (the most dangerous form of skin cancer). We aim to do all we can to keep everyone protected.

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Between March to October, we all need to be aware of the risks of UV light. Please work with me/us to ensure all children attending sessions understand the importance of sun protection and support us in carrying out the following actions:

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We pledge to:

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1. PREPARE: Communicate with parents to ensure that everyone arrives ready for a day in the sun, (whatever the weather in the morning).

2. PROTECT: Recommend hats and sunglasses (where possible) and ensure sunscreen (SPF30+) reapplied at breaks.

3. SHADE: Avoid direct sunlight, and seek shade during lunch breaks or whilst spectating others.

4. HYDRATE: Ensure water is always available and sipped throughout the day.

5. LEAD BY EXAMPLE: Act as a role model regarding sun protection, and inspire children to follow suit.

 

For further information regarding sun protection for children in sport, please visit the Outdoor Kids Sun Safety Code at www.melanoma-fund.co.uk