We want everyone involved in cricket in Berkshire to have a safe, positive experience and be welcomed and supported in their activities.

The Berkshire Cricket Foundation is committed to ensuring that all young people (aged under 18) who play cricket in Berkshire within affiliated Clubs or County squads have a safe, welcoming and positive experience.

We comply fully with the ECB Safe Hands Policy – this is the England and Wales’ Cricket Board’s policy to safeguard children within cricket. It promotes good practice, helps raise awareness and ensures people know what to do if they have any concerns about children or about the behaviour of adults in cricket.

Reporting Low-Level Safeguarding Concerns

If you have a concern about a low-level safeguarding incident, no matter how small or insignificant, it should be reported using the following online form:

ECB Safeguarding – Berkshire Low-Level Concern Reporting Form

A low-level safeguarding concern is one where behaviour falls below the expected standard. Examples could include breach of a code of conduct, inadvertent or thoughtless behaviour, social media contact with u18s, giving lifts home after training or matches or providing inadequate care or supervision.

If you would like to discuss the concern or if you have a serious concern please contact the County Safeguarding Manager at [email protected] or 07789 250905.

If someone is at immediate risk or a potential crime has been committed you should contact the police.

Brian Cooper is the county Safeguarding Manager.

Safe Hands Courses for Club Safeguarding Officers

Berkshire Cricket have initially arranged two Safe Hands courses for the 2024/5 closed season. The first of these is at Wargrave Cricket Club on Monday 14^th October 2024 and the second at Falkland Cricket Club on Monday 13^th January 2025. We will look to arrange a third course in the east of the county in March/April 2025. You can book onto either of the first two courses using the following links:

• Safe Hands Course – Monday 14th October 2024 – Wargrave Cricket Club
• Safe Hands Course – Monday 13th January 2025 – Falkland Cricket Club

The Safe Hands course is aimed at new and existing Club Safeguarding Officers and the objectives of the course are to cover:

• the role and responsibilities of a Club Safeguarding Officer
• how a Club Safeguarding Officer works with others to create a safe and welcoming environment for children
• what policies and procedures your club should have in place
• how to take appropriate action in the event of a concern

As a reminder Club Safeguarding Officers need to complete a Safe Hands course on appointment and then every three years to remain qualified in the role. Alongside this you need to complete the Safeguarding for Specialist Roles – Committee Members online training and have a valid DBS. If you need to complete the online course you can do so by registering at: https://booking.ecb.co.uk/Z81lPO