Codes of Conduct

CODE OF CONDUCT AND RULES FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

Failure to comply with this code of conduct may result in disciplinary action being taken in accordance with RCC disciplinary procedures.

Rowledge Cricket Club (“RCC”) is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all its members, coaches, administrators and parents including its young members or players. A young player is defined as anyone under the age of 18. Young players should show and be shown respect and be encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with their Coaches, the Club Chairman, Club Welfare Officers, Cricket or Club Secretary. RCC believes that it is important that all our young players should respect and understand the safety and welfare of others. Parents are expected to set good a good example as regards their own behaviour (and those accompanying them) for the benefit of Young Players.

This code of conduct applies to all matches played when representing RCC and to all training and practice sessions organised by RCC.

This Code is in two sections for Junior Members of RCC (Reception – U9) and Youth Members of RCC (U11 – U17).

As a Junior Member of RCC (Reception – U9) you should:

Listen to your Coach and follow their advice.
Have respect for your fellow players and officials.
Never use swear words, bad or abusive language.
Never bully anyone.
Dress smartly and appropriately.
Be on time/never late.
Respect the Club’s, other member’s and other people’s property.
Treat others the way you wish to be treated.

Remember

Never do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
If you have any concerns or feel uncomfortable with others behaviour tell your coach, the Child Protection Officers, someone you trust or your parents or guardians.

Failure of Junior Members to follow this Code, depending on the seriousness of the offence, may result in

Being required to apologise to team-mates, the other team, umpires, team manager or other persons
Receiving a warning from the coach
Receiving a written warning from the Club Committee
Being immediately dropped or substituted
Being suspended from training
Not be selected for the team
Being required to serve a suspension
Being suspended from all Club events including social events
Your membership being stopped for the season
Your next year’s membership and future memberships not being allowed

As a Youth Member of RCC (U11 – U17) you are expected to abide by the following Young Persons Code of Conduct:

You are expected to comply with the England and Wales Cricket Board code of conduct
By taking part in activities organised by RCC, you agree to comply with all reasonable instructions from team managers and/or captains and/or coaches
You agree to comply with all other reasonable instructions from other members and officers of RCC including, but not limited to, any directives and instructions which may be displayed from time to time on Club premises
You must play within the rules of the game and respect officials and their decisions
You must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of gender, ability, cultural background or religion, you must respect, cooperate with and encourage fellow Youth Members at all times, irrespective of their abilities
You must not bully any member, volunteer, opposition player or other person(s) including emotional, physical , racist, sexual, homophobic, verbal, cyber bullying including misuse of associated technology (such as camera and video) or the tormenting of others (e.g. hiding kit or making threatening gestures). Persecution, humiliation or ridiculing of others will not be tolerated
You must not intimidate, show aggressive behaviour or cause deliberate distraction to opponents by words or actions (known as “sledging”)
You must not use any foul, abusive or inappropriate language on or off the field of play
You should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform your coach or team manager if they are going to be late
You must wear suitable kit, for training and match sessions, as detailed in RCC/ECB guidance and agreed with the coach/team manager
You should dress smartly and appropriately and clothes should be in keeping with the game of cricket
Your fees for training or events must be paid promptly
You are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing RCC at competitions
You are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing RCC
You must not, under any circumstances, make contact with a coach or other Club member adult directly by email, text or call or any other online form of communication such as social media, Facebook, tiktok, WhatsApp etc unless they are a family member
You must not show dissent at umpiring decisions
You must maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship at all time
You must recognise the achievements of both your team-mates and your opponents. Do not glory in their failures.
You must remember that your conduct is a reflection not only on you but also RCC as a whole. Conduct which damages the reputation of RCC will not be tolerated.
You must agree to do your best at all times to improve your cricket skills and maximise your own potential, at whatever level of playing ability that may be. Any conduct by a Youth Member or Parent that prevents another Youth Member from doing the same is unacceptable.

Remember

Never do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
If you have any concerns or feel uncomfortable with others behaviour tell your coach, the Child Protection Officers, Cricket or Club Secretary, someone you trust or your parents or guardians.

Failure of Youth Members to follow this Code, depending on the seriousness of the offence, may result in

Being required to apologise to team-mates, the other team, umpire, team manager or other persons
Receiving a warning from the coach
Receiving a written warning from the Club Committee
Being immediately dropped or substituted
Being suspended from training
Not be selected for the team
Being required to serve a suspension
Being suspended from all Club events including social events
Your membership being terminated
Your next year’s membership and future memberships not being renewed

If the RCC player plays for County or District Clubs further sanctions may, at the discretion of these Clubs, be imposed on these players.

RCC January 2023

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES WORKING WITH CHILDREN

Coaches have a vital role to play in safeguarding children in cricket and, at a club, will often become the focus for children and their activities. RCC’s and the ECB’s Coaching Philosophy states good coaching is about providing a fun and safe environment in which people, particularly children, can enjoy their first experience of cricket, gain some success and be motivated to want to go on playing.

This philosophy ties into RCC’s core values, in particular, the enjoyment value.

Coaches who work with children are undertaking Regulated Activity. Clubs have a duty to check they are not barred from doing so – as per ECB Guidance on Vetting Checks.

This Code of Conduct provides guidance specifically for those involved in coaching cricket and covers the following areas:

Promoting good practice
Poor practice
Practical coaching guidance
ECB Coaches Association Code of Conduct

The guidance is intended for all those involved in coaching, whether they hold coaching qualifications or not. Child abuse and harassment can take place in many situations, from the home and school to a sporting environment. As a cricket coach you will have regular contact with children and you should adopt the highest standards of practice and be responsible for identifying those in need of protection. As a coach they will look up to you and if a child decides to talk to you about abuse, you need to know what to do. You also need to understand your duty of care towards young cricketers, the current guidance on good practice, and the need to act responsibly when you are around children. This will protect the children you coach and reduce the potential for misunderstandings and inappropriate allegations being made. The following guidelines should help you know what to do if you are worried about a child, and demonstrate how you can create a positive culture in cricket.

Coaches with Junior Coaching Responsibilities must have the following:

Relevant coaching qualification for the player, environment & role.

Current Disclosure & Barring System (DBS) vetting check – cricket specific

Current Safeguarding & Protecting Children certificate

Active member of the ECBCA or appropriate insurance

Current First Aid Certificate (which includes emergency aid)

Good practice means:

Welcoming all children and parents/carers to the club, and having systems in place to ensure you do so.
Ensuring cricket is welcoming, fun and enjoyable and that fair play is promoted.
Taking a player-centred (and child centred) approach to coaching, planning sessions around the needs and abilities of the children who will be attending and adapting accordingly.
Being a friendly professional
Treating all children equally, with respect and dignity
Being an excellent role model – this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol when coaching and being mindful of behaviour around the club at all times.
Always putting the welfare of children first, before winning or achieving goals by encouraging a constructive environment where healthy competition, skill development, fun and achievement are promoted in equal measures.
Always working in an open environment (for example, avoiding being alone with a child, and encouraging open communication with no secrets).
Building balanced relationships based on trust which enable children to take part in the decision-making process. This will include routinely asking children if they have enjoyed activities in the training session and adapting activities to meet their expressed wishes, abilities, needs etc.
Having excellent ‘boundaries’, so children know how to behave and what is expected of them.
Being in line with Home Office guidelines, which state, if you are in a position of trust and authority, you must not have sexual relationships with 16-17 year olds in your care.
Not tolerating acts of aggression
Not tolerating bullying.
Recognising the needs and abilities of children, avoiding too much training or competition and not pushing them against their will.
Giving positive and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism
Encouraging children to assess their performance based on their own mastery of skills, knowledge and love of the game, rather than on whether they won or lost. Helping children acknowledge the value that good opposition offers their own development as cricketers.
Working to ECB guidance on physical contact, where children are always consulted and their agreement gained before any contact is made.
Keeping up-to-date with technical skills, qualifications and insurance in sport
Ensuring if mixed sex teams are taken away, they are always accompanied by a male and female member of staff.
Ensuring while on tour, you do not enter a child’s room or invite them into your room – except in an emergency, i.e. when very unwell.
Finding out if any children you are coaching have medical conditions that could be aggravated during playing or training.
Keeping a written record any time a child is injured in your care, along with details of any treatment provided.
Promoting good sportsmanship by encouraging children to be considerate of other athletes, officials and club volunteers and by being modest in victory and gracious in defeat.
Helping the ECB to work toward eradicating harassment and abuse of children from cricket.

Poor practice means you must never:

Spend excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others.
Take or drop off a child at an event.
Take children to your home or transport them by car, where they will be alone with you.
Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games.
Share a room with a child.
Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching or physical abuse.
Take part in, or tolerate, behaviour that frightens, embarrasses or demoralises a cricketer or that affects their self esteem.
Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
Allow children to behave inappropriately unchallenged.
Make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun.
Make a child cry as a form of control.
Allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or ignored.
Do things of a personal nature for children or vulnerable adults that they can do for themselves.
Shower with a child.
Have inappropriate contact with children – for example, by text or social media. ECB guidance is that any electronic or online communications should be via parents and carers.

Any of these can make the environment feel less safe for children, and leave you open to allegations.

Practical coaching guidance on physical contact

The following guidance is about safeguarding children as they learn to play cricket. It will also help to protect coaches from unnecessary or malicious allegations when working with children. All adults must be appropriately dressed and professional when operating in a cricket environment with children. Always conduct coaching sessions with at least one other adult present. The ECB understands physical contact between a child and an adult may be required to instruct, encourage, protect or comfort. However, it is important to remember that in cricket today there is a multi-cultural mix of children from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, children with disabilities or special needs, and children who may have previously been or are currently being abused at home. Not all children are used to, or are comfortable, with any type of touching, be it friendly or otherwise. In many cultures girls in particular are uncomfortable about any kind of touching by a stranger.

All adults must understand that this touching not only involves touching children when showing them cricket postures, but can also include responsive or pleasant actions, for example, when asking the child to carry out a task, or celebrating a win. If any child is not comfortable with physical contact it should be made clear they can make their feelings known privately to the adult. Any contact should be lead by the child and not the adult.

Physically or visually impaired children may need to be touched in order to help them understand, acquire or visualise a cricket posture. However, it must be remembered that the guidance detailed below still applies.

Please remember children can stereotype people by their appearance. Never touch a child inappropriately. As a responsible adult you should only use physical contact if its aim is to:

Develop sports skills or techniques
Treat an injury
Prevent an injury or accident from occurring
Meet the requirements of the sport

You should seek to explain the reason for the physical contact to the child i.e. reinforcing the teaching or coaching skill. Unless the situation is an emergency, the adult should ask the child for permission.

Physical contact should always be intended to meet the child’s needs NOT the adult’s.

Physical contact guidance

If a child becomes injured during a coaching session and the injury requires the child to be carried to a place of treatment, always seek support from another adult before moving the child. Any first aid administered should be in the presence of another adult or in open view of others.

If the child seems uncomfortable in any way with the physical contact, stop Immediately.
If the child you are working with is visually impaired, you should tell them who you are and ask their permission before you come into physical contact with them.
Never attempt to adjust the grip of a child when in the normal batting stance position.
Never find yourself in a situation where you are the only adult present around children, for example in changing rooms, showers, or on a minibus.
Where physical contact is for motivational or celebratory reasons, agree with the children, teachers or other appropriate adults that to praise good performance a ‘High Five’ or similar action will be used.
Never help children dress, for example, to put on pads, helmets, or clothing unless they request this and genuinely require assistance.
Never help children to put on an abdominal protector
Never take on one to one coaching with a child unless another adult or parent is present.
If you need to communicate with a child for the purposes of coaching or passing on cricket information, use a parent’s mobile telephone number. If you have agreed with the parents in advance to use the child’s own mobile phone for communicating with them, under no circumstances make the number available for general circulation. Send texts to parents, copying in the child. This will also help parents make sure the child is where they need to be! See the ECB guidance on the use of Social media, texts and emails.

If any of the following incidents take place or are observed, you MUST report them to the Club Welfare Officers and make a written note of the event using the RCC/ECB incident reporting form and inform parents where appropriate if:

You accidentally hurt a child
A child seems distressed in any manner
A child acts in a sexually inappropriate manner
A child misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done

Responding to disclosures, suspicions and allegations

There may be a number of reasons where a coach finds it necessary to report a concern including:

In response to something a child has said.
In response to something the coach sees.
In response to signs or suspicions of abuse.
In response to allegations made against a member of staff or volunteer
In response to allegations made about a parent, carer or someone not working within cricket.
In response to bullying.
In response to a breach of code of conduct/poor practice.
Observation of inappropriate behaviour.

Responding to a child who tells you about abuse

You need to:

Stay calm; do not show disgust or disbelief.
Keep an open mind.
Do not dismiss the concern, make assumptions or judgements.
Listen carefully to what is said and take the child seriously. Let the child know that if what they tell you makes you at all concerned about them or someone else, you will have to pass the information on to someone who can help them.
Ask questions for clarification only and at all times avoid asking questions that suggest a particular answer.
Reassure the child they have done the right thing by telling you.
Tell them what you will do next and with whom the information will be shared.
Be very careful not to promise that you will keep the information to yourself.
Record in writing what was said using the child’s own words. Do this as soon as possible, using the RCC/ECB incident reporting form. BE AWARE that the child may use the word ‘complaint’ rather than allegation.
Immediately report the incident to the Club Welfare Officers.

Never

Approach any alleged abuser to discuss the concern.
Rush into actions that may be inappropriate.
Make promises you cannot keep.
Take sole responsibility. Always consult someone else (the person in charge or the designated welfare officers) so you can begin to protect the child and gain support for yourself.

Recording the incident and confidentiality

Information passed to the ECB, children’s social care, LADO and/or the police needs to be as helpful as possible, which is why it is important to make a detailed record at the time of the disclosure/concern. Use the RCC/ECB Incident Reporting Form wherever possible.

Information needs to include the following:

Details of the child, for example, age/date of birth, address and gender.
Details of the parent or guardian and whether they have been informed or not
Details of the facts of the allegation or observations.
A description of any visible bruising or other injuries.
The child’s account, if it can be given, regarding what has happened and how
Witnesses to the incident(s).
The name, address and date of birth of any alleged offender.
Any times, dates or other relevant information.
A clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay.
A signature, date and time on the report.

ECB COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

Cricket coaches play a crucial role in the development of the game and in the lives of the players they coach. Good cricket coaches ensure that individuals in cricket have positive experiences and are therefore more likely to continue in the game and achieve their potential.

Coaching, as an emerging profession, must demonstrate at all levels, a high degree of honesty, integrity and competence. The need for cricket coaches to understand and act on their responsibilities is of critical importance to the game, as is the concept of participation for fun and enjoyment as well as achievement. This is implicit within good coaching practice and promotes a professional image of the good practitioner. This Code of Conduct sets out the standards that coaches are required to meet.

Good cricket coaching practice needs to reflect the following key principles:

Rights – Cricket coaches must respect and champion the rights of every individual to participate in the game.

Relationships – Cricket coaches must develop a professional relationship with players (and others) based on openness, honesty, mutual trust and respect.

Responsibilities – personal standards – Cricket coaches must demonstrate proper personal behaviour and conduct at all times.

Responsibilities – professional standards – To maximise the benefits and minimise the risks to players, coaches must attain a high level of competence through appropriate qualifications and a commitment to ongoing training that ensures safe and correct practice.

Implementation issues

This code sets out the standards that coaches are required to meet. It reflects BEST PRACTICE in coaching across the broadest spectrum of roles and responsibilities and the ECB recognises that the extent to which coaches are required to comply with all the content of this code may be considered by reference to the nature of the coaching role.

All coaches holding recognised ECB qualifications are required to abide by this code.

This code:

is a constituent part of a policy and procedure for dealing with allegations and complaints
is used as the definitive guide and benchmark measure of coaching practice in determining any need for sanctions against a coach
is fully integrated into the cricket and coach education process
is assessed as part of the cricket coach accreditation process
is supported by the appropriate training and resources.

Sports Coach UK has developed a suite of training resources that underpin many of the concepts contained within this Code of Conduct.

These include:

Safeguarding and Protecting Children (formerly Good Practice and Child Protection)
Equity in Your Coaching

Relationships

Cricket coaches must develop a professional relationship with players (and others) based on openness, honesty, mutual trust and respect

Cricket coaches:

must not engage in behaviour that constitutes any form of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, bullying)
should promote the welfare and best interests of their players
must avoid sexual intimacy with players, either while coaching them or in the period of time immediately following the end of the coaching relationship
must take action if they have a concern about the behaviour of an adult towards a child
should empower players to be responsible for their own decisions
should clarify the nature of the coaching services being offered to players
should communicate and cooperate with other organisations and individuals in the best interests of players.

Actions:

Be aware of the physical needs of players, especially those still growing, and ensure that training loads and intensities are appropriate.
Ensure that physical contact is appropriate and necessary, and is carried out within recommended guidelines with the player’s full consent and approval.
Do not engage in any form of sexually related contact with an under age player. This is strictly forbidden as is sexual innuendo, flirting or inappropriate gestures and terms.
Inform parents or guardians immediately if you are at all concerned about the welfare of a child.
Discuss with parents and other interested parties the potential impact of the programme on the player.
Arrange to transfer a player to another cricket coach if it is clear that an intimate relationship is developing.
Know and understand the relevant ECB or RCC policies and procedures in this regard.
Follow the reporting procedures laid down by ECB or RCC if you have a concern – non-action is unacceptable.
Respect players’ opinions when making decisions about their participation in cricket.
Encourage players to take responsibility for their own development and actions.
Allow players to discuss and participate in the decision-making process.
Discuss and agree with players what information is confidential.
Inform players or their parents of the requirements of cricket.
Inform players or their parents of any potential costs involved in accessing the coaching services on offer.
Be aware of and communicate on any conflict of interest as soon as it becomes apparent.
Do not work with any other cricket coach’s player without first discussing or agreeing it with both the coach and the player involved.
Identify and agree with players which other experts or organisations could offer appropriate services.

Rights

Cricket coaches must respect and champion the rights of every individual to participate in cricket

Cricket coaches should:

assist in the creation of an environment where every individual has the opportunity to participate in cricket
create and maintain an environment free of fear and harassment
recognise the rights of all players to be treated as individuals
recognise the rights of players to confer with other cricket coaches and experts
promote the concept of a balanced lifestyle, supporting the well-being of the player both in and out of cricket.

Actions:

Treat all individuals in cricket with respect at all times.
Do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, colour, disability, sexuality, age, occupation, religion or political opinion.
Do not condone or allow to go unchallenged any form of discrimination.
Do not publicly criticise or engage in demeaning descriptions of others.
Be discreet in any conversations about players, cricket coaches or any other individuals.
Communicate with and provide feedback to players in a manner that reflects respect and care.

Responsibilities – personal standards

Cricket coaches must demonstrate proper personal behaviour and conduct at all times

Cricket coaches:

must be fair, honest and considerate to players and others in cricket
should project an image of health, cleanliness and functional efficiency
must be positive role models for players at all times.

Actions:

Operate within the rules and the spirit of cricket.
Educate players on issues relating to the use of performance-enhancing drugs in cricket and co-operate fully with UK Sport and ECB policies.
Maintain the same level of interest and support when a player is sick or injured.
Display high standards in use of language, manner, punctuality, preparation and presentation.
Encourage players to display the same qualities.
Do not smoke, drink alcohol or use recreational drugs before or while coaching. This reflects a negative image and could compromise the safety of your players.
Display control, respect, dignity and professionalism to all involved in cricket.

Responsibilities – professional standards

To maximise the benefits and minimise the risks to players, cricket coaches must attain a high level of competence through qualifications, and a commitment to ongoing training that ensures safe and correct practice

Cricket coaches will:

ensure the environment is as safe as possible, taking into account and minimising possible risks
promote the execution of safe and correct practice
be professional and accept responsibility for their actions
make a commitment to providing a quality service to their players
actively promote the positive benefits to society of participation in cricket
contribute to the development of cricket coaching as a profession by exchanging knowledge and ideas with others
gain ECB coaching qualifications appropriate to the level at which they coach cricket.

Actions:

Follow the guidelines of the ECB and RCC.
Only allow participation if there is no risk to the player.
Plan all sessions so they meet the needs of the players and are progressive and appropriate.
Maintain appropriate records of your players.
Recognise and accept when it is appropriate to refer a player to another cricket coach or specialist.
Seek to achieve the highest level of qualification available.
Attend continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain up-to-date knowledge of technical developments in cricket.
Attend CPD to maintain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of other issues that might impact on both you and your players.
Be aware of the social issues and how cricket can contribute to local, regional or national initiatives.
Actively participate in recruitment and education opportunities in cricket.
Actively contribute to local, regional and national initiatives to improve the standards and quality of cricket coaching both in cricket and sport in general.
Practise in an open and transparent fashion that encourages other cricket coaches to contribute to or learn from your knowledge and experience.
Engage in self-analysis and reflection to identify your professional needs.
Seek CPD opportunities to develop your cricket coaching skills and update your knowledge.
Manage your lifestyle and cricket coaching commitments to avoid burnout that might impair your performance.
Do not assume responsibility for any role for which you are not qualified or prepared.
Do not misrepresent your level of qualification.

RCC January 2023

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS AND GUESTS

Members and guests include all members and officers of the cricket club and all guests of those members and officers, as well as all individuals who watch/attend/participate/officiate in matches hosted by the club in whatever capacity.

All Members, Volunteers and Guests of Rowledge Cricket Club will:

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person within the context of cricket.
Treat everyone equally and not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, parental or marital status, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference or political belief.
Not condone, or allow to go unchallenged, any form of discrimination if witnessed.
Spectators shall not engage in any conduct, act towards or speak to any player, umpire, referee or other official or spectators in a manner which offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies that other person on the basis of that other person’s race, religion, colour, national or ethical origin.
Not bully any member, volunteer, opposition player or other person(s) including emotional, physical, racist, sexual, homophobic, verbal, cyber bullying including misuse of associated technology (such as camera and video) or the tormenting of others (e.g. hiding kit or making threatening gestures).
Display high standards of behaviour.
Promote the positive aspects of cricket, for example fair play.
Encourage all participants to learn the Laws and rules and play within them, always respecting the decisions of match officials.
Actively discourage unfair play, rule violations and arguing with match officials.
Recognise good performance is not just match results.
Place the well-being and safety of children above the development of performance.
Ensure activities are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual.
Respect children’s opinions when making decisions about their participation in cricket.
Not smoke, drink or use banned substances while working with children in the club.
Not provide children with alcohol when they are under the care of the club.
Follow ECB guidelines set out in the “Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children” and any other relevant guidelines issued.
Report any concerns in relation to a child, following reporting procedures laid down by the RCC and the ECB.

In addition to the above, all club officers and appointed volunteers will:

Have been appropriately vetted, if required.
Hold relevant qualifications and be covered by appropriate insurance.
Always work in an open environment (i.e. avoid private, or unobserved, situations and encourage an open environment) NB This includes the online world – club officers and volunteers are actively discouraged from online or other electronic communication with children – any such communication should be via parents.
Inform players and parents of the requirements of cricket.
Know and understand the ECB’s “Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children”.
Develop an appropriate working relationship with young players, based on mutual trust and respect.
Ensure physical contact is appropriate and necessary and is carried out within recommended guidelines with the young player’s full consent and approval.
Not engage in any form of sexually related contact with a young player. This is strictly forbidden, as is sexual innuendo, flirting or inappropriate gestures and terms. The ECB adopts the Home Office uidelines. These recommend “people in positions of trust and authority do not have sexual relationships with 16-17 year olds in their care”.
Attend appropriate training to keep up to date with their role, especially with respect to the safeguarding of children.

RCC January 2023

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WORKING WITH CHILDREN

RCC have implemented the ECB Guidance for Staff and Volunteers Working with Children.

Staff and Volunteers working with children must be vetted as per the ‘ECB Guidance on Roles in Cricket that require a Vetting Check’. The Club is responsible for ensuring that this happens.

RCC is committed to continuing to provide an environment where children are welcomed, feel safe and have their views and feelings taken into consideration.

This guidance is for all RCC staff and volunteers working with children in cricket.

Good practice means:

RCC welcoming all children and parents/carers/guardians to the club, and having systems in place to ensure we do so.
Being a friendly professional.
Ensuring cricket is fun and enjoyable for all, and that fair play is promoted.
Treating all children equally, with respect and dignity.
Being an excellent role model at all times – this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol during coaching and being mindful of behaviour around the club.
Always putting the welfare of children first, before winning or achieving goals by encouraging a constructive environment where healthy competition, skill development, fun and achievement are promoted in equal measures.
Always working in an open environment (for example, avoiding being alone with a child, and encouraging open communication with no secrets).
Having excellent interpersonal boundaries, so children know how to behave and what is expected of them.
Building relationships based on trust which enable children to take part in the decision-making process. This will range from asking children if they have enjoyed activities in the training session, or what snacks they would like in the tuck shop, through to having junior representation on committees.
Being in line with Home Office guidelines which state, if you are in a position of trust and authority, you must not have sexual relationships with 16-17 year olds in your care.
Not tolerating acts of aggression.
Not tolerating bullying.
Recognising the needs and abilities of children, avoiding too much training or competition and not pushing them against their will.
Giving positive and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
Encouraging children to assess their performance based on their own mastery of skills, knowledge and love of the game, rather than on whether they won or lost.
Helping children acknowledge the value that good opposition offers their own development as cricketers.
Working to the ECB guidance on physical contact, where children are always consulted and their agreement gained before any contact is made.
Keeping up-to-date with technical skills, qualifications and insurance in sport.
Ensuring if mixed sex teams are taken away, they are always accompanied by a male and female member of staff
Ensuring while on tour, you do not enter a child’s room or invite them into your room – except in an emergency i.e. when very unwell.
Finding out if any children you are coaching have medical conditions that could be aggravated during playing or training.
Keeping a written record any time a child is injured in your care, along with details of any treatment provided.
Promoting good sportsmanship by encouraging children to be considerate of other athletes, officials and club volunteers and by being modest in victory and gracious in defeat.
Helping the ECB to work toward eradicating harassment and abuse of children from cricket.

Poor practice means you must never:

Spend excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others.
Take or drop off a child at an event.
Take children to your home or transport them by car, where they will be alone with You.
Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games.
Share a room with a child.
Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching or physical abuse.
Take part in, or tolerate, behaviour that frightens, embarrasses or demoralises a cricketer or that affects their self esteem.
Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
Allow children to behave inappropriately unchallenged.
Make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun.
Make a child cry as a form of control.
Allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or ignored.
Do things of a personal nature for children or vulnerable adults that they can do for themselves.
Shower with a child.
Have inappropriate contact with children – for example, by text or social media.

ECB guidance is that any electronic or online communications should be via parents and carers.

Any of these can make the environment feel less safe for children, and leave you open to allegations.

Practical guidance on physical contact

The following guidance is about safeguarding children as they learn to play cricket. It will also help to protect adults from unnecessary or malicious allegations when working with children.

Always conduct all junior sessions with at least one other adult present.

The ECB understands physical contact between a child and an adult may be required to instruct, encourage, protect or comfort.

However, it is important to remember that in cricket today there is a multi-cultural mix of children from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, children with disabilities or special needs, and children who may have previously been or are currently being abused. Not all children are used to or are comfortable with any type of touching, be it friendly or otherwise. In many cultures girls in particular are uncomfortable about any kind of touching by a stranger.

Physically or visually impaired children may need to be touched in order to help them understand, acquire or visualise a cricket posture. It must be remembered that the guidance detailed below still applies.

In addition, adults must be appropriately dressed and professional when operating in a cricket environment with children.

Never touch a child inappropriately.

As a responsible adult you should only use physical contact if its aim is to:

Develop sports skills or techniques
Treat an injury
Prevent an injury or accident from occurring
Meet the requirements of the sport

Physical contact should always be intended to meet the child’s needs NOT the adult’s.

Physical contact guidance

If a child becomes injured during a junior session and the injury requires the child to be carried to a place of treatment, always seek support from another adult before moving the child. Any first aid administered should be in the presence of another adult or in open view of others.
If the child seems uncomfortable in any way with the physical contact, stop immediately.
If the child you are working with is visually impaired, you should tell them who you are and ask their permission before you come into physical contact with them.
Never attempt to adjust the grip of a child when in the normal batting stance position.
Never find yourself in a situation where you are the only adult present around children, e.g. in changing rooms, showers, or on a minibus.
Where physical contact is for motivational or celebratory reasons, agree with the children, teachers or other appropriate adults that to praise good performance a ‘High Five’ or similar action will be used.
Never help children dress e.g. to put on pads, helmets, or clothing unless they request this and genuinely require assistance.
Never help children to put on an abdominal protector.
Never take on one to one coaching with a child unless another adult or parent is present.
If you need to communicate with a child for the purposes of organising junior cricket or passing on cricket information, use a parent’s mobile telephone number.

If any of the following incidents take place or you observe them, you MUST report them to the Club Welfare Officer and make a written note of the event using the ECB Incident Reporting Form and inform parents where appropriate if:

You accidentally hurt a child.
A child seems distressed in any manner.
A child acts in a sexually inappropriate manner.
A child misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done.

Responding to disclosures, suspicions and allegations

There may be a number of reasons where an adult finds it necessary to report a concern including:

In response to something a child has said.
In response to something they have seen.
In response to signs or suspicions of abuse.
In response to allegations made against a member of staff or volunteer.
In response to allegations made about a parent, carer or someone not working within cricket.
In response to bullying.
In response to a breach of code of conduct/poor practice.
Observation of inappropriate behaviour.

Responding to a child who tells you about abuse

You need to:

Stay calm; do not show disgust or disbelief.
Keep an open mind.
Do not dismiss the concern, make assumptions or judgements.
Listen carefully to what is said and take the child seriously. Let the child know that if what they tell you makes you at all concerned about them or someone else, you will have to pass the information on to someone who can help them.
Ask questions for clarification only and at all times avoid asking questions that suggest a particular answer.
Reassure the child they have done the right thing by telling you.
Tell them what you will do next and with whom the information will be shared.
Be very careful not to promise that you will keep the information to yourself.
Record in writing what was said using the child’s own words. Do this as soon as possible, using the RCC/ECB incident reporting form. BE AWARE that the child may use the word ‘complaint’ rather than allegation.
Report the incident to the Club Safeguarding Officers.

Never

Approach any alleged abuser to discuss the concern.
Rush into actions that may be inappropriate.
Make promises you cannot keep.
Take sole responsibility. Always consult someone else (the person in charge or the designated welfare officers) so you can begin to protect the child and gain support for yourself.

Recording the incident and confidentiality

Information passed to the ECB, children’s social care, LADO and/or the police needs

to be as helpful as possible, which is why it is important to make a detailed record at the time of the disclosure/concern. Use the RCC/ECB Safeguarding Referral Form wherever possible.

Information needs to include the following:

Details of the child, for example, age/date of birth, address and gender.
Details of the parent or guardian and whether they have been informed or not
Details of the facts of the allegation or observations.
A description of any visible bruising or other injuries.
The child’s account, if it can be given, regarding what has happened and how
Witnesses to the incident(s).
The name, address and date of birth of any alleged offender.
Any times, dates or other relevant information.
A clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay.
A signature, date and time on the report.

Report

Report the incident to the Club Safeguarding Officers

RCC January 2023