1. Purpose
Waitākere Cricket Club (WCC) is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where every child and young person can participate in cricket free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying, harassment or any other form of harm.
The wellbeing of children is our highest priority. Every person involved with Waitākere Cricket Club shares responsibility for safeguarding children and creating a culture where they feel respected, valued and safe.
This policy outlines how the Club prevents, identifies, reports and responds to concerns relating to the safety and wellbeing of children.
2. Our Commitment
Waitākere Cricket Club is committed to:
- providing a safe environment where children can participate in cricket and express themselves with confidence
- fostering a culture of respect, inclusion and positive behaviour
- taking all safeguarding concerns seriously
- responding promptly and appropriately to concerns or disclosures
- supporting children, families, volunteers and staff throughout the reporting process
- continually improving safeguarding practices.
Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility.
3. How We Protect Children
Waitākere Cricket Club protects children by:
- promoting a culture of safeguarding and respect
- requiring all coaches, volunteers and officials to act in the best interests of children
- maintaining appropriate recruitment and screening processes
- providing clear standards of behaviour
- encouraging everyone to report concerns
- appointing a Child Safeguarding Lead
- maintaining clear reporting and response procedures
- reviewing safeguarding incidents to improve future practice.
4. Scope
This policy applies to:
- Committee Members
- Employees
- Contractors
- Coaches
- Managers
- Volunteers
- Team Officials
- Adult Players
- Parents and Caregivers while participating in Club activities
- Any person acting on behalf of Waitākere Cricket Club.
This policy applies to all Club activities including:
- training
- matches
- tournaments
- school programmes
- holiday programmes
- representative activities
- social events
- travel
- online communication
- any activity conducted under the authority of Waitākere Cricket Club.
5. Our Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Waitākere Cricket Club recognises Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to the principles of Partnership, Protection and Participation.
We acknowledge the importance of creating an environment where all tamariki and rangatahi can participate safely while respecting their culture, identity, language and whakapapa.
The Club seeks to foster:
- Whanaungatanga through positive relationships and belonging.
- Manaakitanga by treating every participant with dignity and respect.
- Hauora by supporting physical, emotional, social and cultural wellbeing.
- Haumarutanga by prioritising participant safety.
- Pono by acting honestly, fairly and with integrity.
6. Safeguarding and Child Protection
The Club recognises that safeguarding and child protection are closely related but different responsibilities.
Safeguarding refers to the proactive measures taken to reduce the risk of harm and promote the wellbeing of children.
Child Protection refers to the actions taken when there are concerns that a child has experienced, or is at risk of experiencing, abuse, neglect or harm.
The Club is committed to both preventing harm and responding appropriately when concerns arise.
7. Responsibilities
Committee
The Committee will:
- adopt and review this policy annually
- appoint a Child Safeguarding Lead
- promote a culture of safeguarding
- ensure appropriate procedures are followed
- support the Child Safeguarding Lead where required.
Child Safeguarding Lead
The Child Safeguarding Lead is responsible for:
- receiving safeguarding concerns
- maintaining confidential records
- supporting coaches and volunteers
- determining appropriate referrals
- liaising with external agencies where required
- reviewing safeguarding practices.
The Committee will appoint a secondary contact if the Child Safeguarding Lead is unavailable or involved in a complaint.
Coaches, Managers and Volunteers
Every adult working with children must:
- prioritise the wellbeing of participants
- maintain appropriate professional boundaries
- follow this policy
- report concerns promptly
- model respectful behaviour.
Failure to report a genuine safeguarding concern may constitute a breach of this policy.
Parents and Caregivers
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to:
- support a safe sporting environment
- communicate relevant wellbeing information
- raise concerns where appropriate
- support respectful behaviour.
8. Expected Behaviour
Everyone involved with Waitākere Cricket Club is expected to:
- treat children fairly and respectfully
- encourage participation and enjoyment
- use appropriate language
- maintain professional boundaries
- respect privacy
- promote inclusion
- listen to children
- create environments where children feel safe to speak up.
9. Unacceptable Behaviour
The following behaviour is not acceptable:
- bullying
- intimidation
- harassment
- discrimination
- physical punishment
- humiliating or degrading behaviour
- inappropriate physical contact
- sexual comments or jokes
- grooming behaviour
- inappropriate online communication
- sharing inappropriate images
- retaliation against anyone raising a concern.
10. Working with Children
Adults should:
- work in open and observable environments
- avoid unnecessary one-to-one situations
- involve parents where practical
- maintain professional relationships
- avoid favouritism.
Children should never be asked to keep secrets from parents or caregivers.
11. Physical Contact
Appropriate physical contact may occur when:
- demonstrating cricket skills
- preventing injury
- administering first aid
- providing reasonable encouragement.
Any physical contact must:
- be appropriate
- be explained where practical
- respect personal boundaries
- never be for personal gratification.
12. Photography, Social Media and Electronic Communication
Images of children should only be taken for legitimate Club purposes.
Adults should:
- avoid private messaging children through personal social media accounts
- include parents or caregivers where practical
- use Club communication channels where possible
- ensure photographs are respectful and appropriate.
Photography is prohibited in changing rooms and toilets.
13. Transport
Transport arrangements should:
- be known to parents or caregivers
- occur for legitimate Club activities
- avoid unnecessary one-to-one transport where practical
- prioritise participant safety.
14. Changing Rooms and Overnight Activities
Adults should respect children’s privacy.
Where overnight trips occur the Club will:
- obtain parental consent
- provide appropriate supervision
- establish clear behavioural expectations
- ensure suitable accommodation arrangements.
15. Recruitment and Screening
The Club will take reasonable steps to ensure adults working with children are suitable for those roles.
These may include:
- interviews
- referee checks
- Police Vetting where appropriate
- acknowledgement of Club policies
- safeguarding education.
16. Recognising Harm
Everyone involved with Waitākere Cricket Club should remain alert to indicators that a child may be experiencing harm.
These may include:
- sudden behavioural changes
- withdrawal or anxiety
- unexplained injuries
- fear of particular individuals
- poor hygiene or neglect
- sexualised behaviour inappropriate for age
- repeated attempts by an adult to isolate a child
- grooming behaviours including excessive gifts, secret communication or inappropriate favouritism.
Examples are provided in Appendix A.
17. Responding to a Disclosure
If a child discloses abuse or harm:
Do:
- remain calm
- listen carefully
- thank the child for speaking up
- reassure them they have done the right thing
- explain that you cannot promise confidentiality
- record the information as soon as possible using the child’s own words.
Do not:
- investigate
- ask leading questions
- challenge the child’s account
- confront the alleged offender
- promise to keep the information secret.
18. Reporting Concerns
Every person involved with Waitākere Cricket Club has a responsibility to report concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child.
Concerns should be reported immediately to:
- the Child Safeguarding Lead; or
- the Club President if the concern involves the Child Safeguarding Lead.
If a child is in immediate danger, contact Police on 111 immediately.
Where appropriate, concerns may also be referred to Oranga Tamariki.
All concerns should be recorded using the Club’s Child Protection Incident Report Form.
19. Responding to Reports
The Child Safeguarding Lead will:
- assess immediate safety risks
- maintain confidential records
- seek advice where appropriate
- make referrals to Police or Oranga Tamariki when required
- support affected participants
- review whether additional safeguarding measures are required.
The safety and wellbeing of the child will always be the primary consideration.
20. Confidentiality
Safeguarding information will be:
- treated confidentially
- shared only with those who need to know
- stored securely
- managed in accordance with applicable privacy obligations.
21. Education
The Club will encourage coaches, volunteers and committee members to:
- understand this policy
- complete safeguarding education where appropriate
- participate in ongoing awareness activities.
22. Breaches of this Policy
Breaches of this policy may result in:
- education or counselling
- additional supervision
- removal from coaching or volunteer duties
- suspension
- termination of employment or volunteer arrangements
- referral to external agencies.
23. Review
This policy will be reviewed:
- annually
- following significant safeguarding incidents
- following legislative or regulatory changes
- where improvements are identified.
Appendix A – Recognising Harm
Possible indicators include:
Behavioural Indicators
- Withdrawal or anxiety
- Sudden changes in behaviour
- Self-harm
- Fear of particular adults
- Poor attendance
- Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge
Physical Indicators
- Unexplained bruising
- Repeated injuries
- Poor hygiene
- Malnutrition
- Inadequate supervision
Indicators of Grooming
- Isolating a child
- Secret communication
- Special gifts or treatment
- Excessive physical contact
- Boundary testing
- Attempts to separate children from friends or family
The presence of these indicators does not necessarily confirm abuse but should prompt concern and appropriate reporting.
Appendix B – Reporting Process
- Identify a concern or receive a disclosure.
- If the child is in immediate danger, contact Police (111).
- Listen, reassure and record the information.
- Report the concern immediately to the Child Safeguarding Lead.
- Complete a Child Protection Incident Report Form.
- The Child Safeguarding Lead will determine appropriate referrals, including Police or Oranga Tamariki where required.
- Maintain confidentiality and continue to support the child.
Appendix C – Child Protection Incident Report
The Club will maintain a confidential Child Protection Incident Report that records:
- Date and time
- Person making the report
- Child involved
- Nature of the concern
- Facts and observations (using the child’s own words where applicable)
- Immediate actions taken
- Referrals made
- Follow-up actions
- Outcome and review
