Bapchild Cricket Club – Whistle Blowing Policy Statement
Bapchild Cricket Club 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 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 responsibilities to bring individual 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 maybe at risk.
Bapchild Cricket Club 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 allegations, provided they suspicions/ 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
What stops people from sharing concerns (whistle blowing?):
Who do I tell?:
The first person you should report your suspicion or allegation to is the Club’s Safeguarding Officer or Deputy Safeguarding Officer.
Club Safeguarding Officer – Mel Hawkes
Email: meljhawkes@hotmail.co.uk
Tel: 07875047714
Deputy Safeguarding Officer – James Sutton
Email: suttonjames111649@gmail.com
Tel: 07789957685
If for any reason you cannot, or do not wish to report the matter to your Club Safeguarding Officer or Assistant Safeguarding Officer, you should refer to the KCB County Welfare Officer.
Kent County Safeguarding Officer – Bridget Owen
email: bridget.owen@kentcricket.co.uk
Tel: 07807 026247
If you cannot, or do not wish to, report the information to any of the above, then please contact the ECB Safeguarding Team
ECB Safeguarding Team
email: safeguarding@ecb.co.uk
Tel: 020 7432 1200.
Alternatively, you can also contact Public Concern at Work on 020 7404 6609 or whistle@pcaw.org.uk
Bapchild Cricket Club Safeguarding Whistle Blowing Procedure
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:
Specifically do not:
NEVER assume:
What happens next?:
Date Completed: 13th February 2023
Completed by: Mel Hawkes – Club Safeguarding Officer
Date Last Reviewed: 5th July 2024