Safeguarding News
APRIL 2022
Focus on… Safeguarding Policies
The BDA has updated the Safeguarding in Bowls Policy – in fact one policy has become two. It is recommended to have separate policies for safeguarding children and adults at risk, as these two groups are covered by different laws and the procedures for dealing with disclosures of abuse by children and adults are slightly different. You should ensure your county association or club now references these two policies which are on the BDA website. They have been approved by all bowls NGBs.
Being a Safeguarding Officer
All bowls club members deserve to have someone identified within their club who they can talk to should they have concerns. Prospective members including parents considering membership for their children, will see a club as safe to join, if it has prioritised appointment of a safeguarding officer. The club safeguarding officer or welfare officer is a very important role.
The BDA strongly recommends that all clubs appoint a safeguarding officer. They should support them by identifying and funding training – check out the courses regularly run through Coach Bowls. They should be clearly identified on club noticeboards and websites with their contact details. (There is a BDA template you can use). Clubs should also ensure that safeguarding is covered in committee meetings so consider making the safeguarding officer a committee role if it isn’t already.
Safeguarding Support Helplines
Two main helplines who can help with safeguarding issues in sport are:
- Child Protection in Sport Unit - 0116 366 5580
- The Ann Craft Trust (Adults) - 0115 951 5400
Additional specialist support is available on many particular safeguarding issues, from charities and other organisations. The BDA website has a list of support lines under safeguarding resources.
Safe and Fair Membership
Bowls clubs should be very inclusive, welcoming membership from all. A difficult issue faced by all sports clubs is how to deal with membership requests from people with criminal convictions. Equally challenging is ongoing membership of someone who is the subject of police investigations or who acquires a conviction while being a club member. Club committees can be particularly challenged where the conviction is related to sexual offences.
Clubs should seek guidance from their NGB safeguarding lead. They will bring the concern to the BDA Case Management Group.
Clubs are likely to be referred to the excellent booklet – ‘Making safe and fair decisions about membership for people with criminal records’ jointly published by the NSPCC and NACRO. nacro-making-safe-and-fair-decisions-about-membership.pdf (thecpsu.org.uk)
Click
here or on image to download guide.
BDA Safeguarding Guidelines & Templates
The BDA website contains useful guidelines and templates on safeguarding issues to support bowls clubs and organisations. These are all being revised and a few new ones have been created in response to requests.
A revised Code of Conduct is included, with a poster version and signature version available as well as the complete document with specific sections for staff/volunteers, coaches, players, under 18s, spectators/parents/carers.
The documents that are now on the website have been updated. Older items have been archived to be updated. You can contact the BDA using the website contact form, if you need an archived guideline or template.
