Effective May 2025, all Clubs and Counties must have a designated Safeguarding Officer in place as a requirement for affiliation. We understand the importance of proactive safeguarding measures. By having a dedicated Safeguarding Officer, clubs can ensure that safety and well-being are prioritised in all aspects of their operations, not just in response to incidents.
Policies
Clubs and Counties need not design their own safeguarding policies, but instead follow the Bowls Development Alliance’s Adults and Children policies, here.
Going above and beyond
A useful checklist for the start of each season has been published in our Resources area, see link to the area here.
Considering the role of coaches
Coaches are there to facilitate sessions that are fun and involve everyone, as well as improve technique and performance. Clubs, volunteers, parents and players should look out for coach practices that fall below what is expected, develop into poor practice or present safeguarding issues. Coaches should involve players and parents/carers; encouraging them to ask questions, to support the coach and the players and to get involved.
A useful guide has been created showing that all coaches must have an enhanced DBS check, see link to the area here.
Internal Evaluation
Assess your Club’s safeguarding effectiveness using the CPSU’s free Sports Safeguarding Tool linked here, or The Ann Craft Trust’s Self Evaluation Tool linked here.