We are committed to safeguarding all those who participate in our sport, ensuring they can do so in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment. We aim to enable all of our clubs and county associations to provide safe environments for all participants.
Bowls England’s safeguarding function works in collaboration with The Bowls Development Alliance (BDA), The English Indoor Bowls Association (EIBA), English Short Mat Bowling Association (ESMBA), The British Crown Green Bowling Association (BCGBA), English Bowling Federation (EBF) and Disability Bowls England (DBE).
Reporting Concerns
All safeguarding concerns must be reported to Bowls England’s Lead Safeguarding Officer for advice. These include historic allegations and concerns relating to the current welfare/safeguarding of either adults or children in bowls, whether the issue is inside or outside of the sport.
Helen Slimm | Bowls England Lead Safeguarding Officer | 07858 502191
Bowls England’s Lead Safeguarding Officer will work in collaboration with the Case Management Group to provide collective advice, recommendations and decision making.
Alternatively if your enquiry is relating to a Child Protection issue, please contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. If your enquiry is relating to Safeguarding Adults, please contact the Ann Craft Trust on 0115 951 5400 or email ann-craft-trust@nottingham.ac.uk.
Safeguarding Policies
All categories of membership, as a qualification of membership, must adopt the Safeguarding Policies and Guidelines (or any subsequent policy) as approved by Bowls England. This requirement must be included in all club and county constitutions.
Safeguarding Children in Bowls Policy
Safeguarding Adults in Bowls Policy
Safeguarding Officer
Safeguarding Officers are currently recommended within all affiliated clubs, this is currently recommended but the role will become compulsory as a condition of affiliation for all clubs by 2025.
Safeguarding Officer: Job Description – Guidance
Club Safeguarding Information Poster
We have designed the attached poster for our clubs to use when displaying their safeguarding information.
Safeguarding Information Sharing
All safeguarding concerns must be reported to Bowls England’s Lead Safeguarding. When considering a wider disclosure please follow the below guide, if unsure ask the Bowls England for advice.
Safeguarding Information Sharing Guidance
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
The DBS (formally known as CRB) maintains the adults and children’s barred list, it ensures that considered decisions are made as to whether an individual should be barred from engaging in regulated activity. There are four levels of DBS checks; basic, standard, enhanced and enhanced with barred list DBS check.
All coaches and safeguarding officers within our affiliated clubs must have an enhanced DBS check. To obtain a DBS check please contact:
Coach Bowls Coach
Adam Durnin | adam@coachbowls.org
Any other affiliated member
Varsha Ragoobarsing | varsha.ragoobarsing@bowlsengland.com
Guidelines, Templates and Education
https://bowlsdevelopmentalliance.com/safeguarding/resources/
Safeguarding Bulletins: