Child Protection Guidelines

The ECB's Child Protection policy, ‘Safe Hands - Welfare of Young People in Cricket' - has been published on the Play-Cricket web site, www.play-cricket.com (go to ECB Information and then Child Welfare and Protection). “Young people” refers to those aged under 18.

The policy provides Cricket with ‘best practice' guidelines in relation to Child Welfare and Protection. The ECB is wholeheartedly supporting Child Welfare and Protection, in line with all other Sports Governing Bodies, and asks that Clubs, Leagues and County Boards commit to ensuring that cricket provides a safe, friendly and fun environment for children and vulnerable young adults.

The principles within the policy must be followed, but it is important that common sense is used in applying them . The ‘Safe Hands' document provides guidance and information which should be adapted to the facilities and circumstances of Clubs, and training courses will be run during the coming months to help to achieve this.

It is accepted that the Child Protection procedures cannot be introduced overnight. In order to help Clubs and Leagues to set priorities, the ECB framework is detailed below:

1. All County Boards, Leagues and Clubs should adopt the ECB “Safe Hands – Welfare of Young People in Cricket” Policy - Immediate .

2. Clubs should appoint a Club Welfare Officer (League Welfare Officers are optional but are recommended, particularly for Junior Leagues, and will help County Welfare Officers communicate with Clubs) - 2004 .

3. All Coaches, Junior Team Managers and other volunteers having regular and/or unsupervised access to children within the Club should undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check - On-going throughout 2004 .

CRB checks are free for volunteers - exceptions include Coaches who earn more than £800 a year from coaching, for whom the fee is £29 - and certificate are valid for three years. Application forms are available from Colin Savage, HCB Administrator, on 02380 465816.

4. Umpires and Scorers should be CRB checked, either via ACU&S or locally - On-going throughout 2004 .

5. Self Declaration Forms should be completed by all other volunteers - 2004/2005 . These forms can be downloaded from the play-cricket website.

6. Leagues and Clubs should implement other areas of the Child Welfare policy - 2004-2006 .