WHISTLE BLOWING POLICY
Teddington Cricket Club adhere to the ECB Whistle Blowing Policy
The ECB is committed to developing a culture where it is safe and acceptable for all those involved in cricket to raise concerns about unacceptable practice and misconduct. You may be the first to recognise that something is wrong but you may not feel able to express your concerns out of a belief that this would be disloyal to colleagues or you may fear harassment, victimisation or disadvantage.
These feelings, however natural, must never result in a child continuing to be unnecessarily at risk. Remember that it is often the most vulnerable children who are targeted. These children need someone like you to safeguard their welfare. Those involved in the sport must acknowledge their individual responsibilities to bring matters of concern to the attention of senior management and/or relevant agencies. Although this can be difficult it is particularly important where the welfare of children may be at risk.
The ECB assures all involved in cricket that they will be treated fairly and that all concerns will be properly considered. In cases where the suspicions prove to be unfounded, then no action will be taken against those who report their suspicions/allegations provided they acted in good faith and without malicious intent. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects whistleblowers from victimisation, discipline or dismissal where they raise genuine concerns of misconduct or malpractice.
Reasons for Whistle Blowing Each individual has a responsibility for raising concerns about unacceptable practice or behaviour:
to prevent the problem worsening or widening
to protect or reduce risk to others
to prevent becoming implicated yourself
You should not attempt to deal with any allegation or suspicion yourself, rather inform your Club Safeguarding Officer or your County Safeguarding Officer or the ECB Child Protection Team. Specifically do not:
Inform the person about whom the concern was raised
Inform any other members, participants or employees
Commence your own investigation
Annotate or remove evidence
Delay in reporting the suspicion
Also do not assume
“all is well, otherwise it would have been spotted earlier”
“it doesn’t matter” or “no harm will arise”
“Ignore it as it is not my responsibility”
to protect or reduce risk to others
to prevent becoming implicated yourself
What stops people from Whistle Blowing?
Starting a chain of events which spirals
Disrupting the work or training
Fear of getting it wrong
Fear of repercussions or damaging careers
Fear of not being believed
What happens next?
You should be given information on the nature and progress of any enquiries
All concerns will be treated in confidence.
During the process of investigating the matter, every effort will be made to keep the identity of those raising the concern unknown, except to the minimum number of individuals practicable
Your Club Safeguarding Officer, County Safeguarding Officer and the ECB have a responsibility to protect you from harassment or victimisation
No action will be taken against you if the concern proves to be unfounded and was raised in good faith
Malicious allegations may be considered a disciplinary offence
ECB Safeguarding Whistle Blowing Procedures
Should suspicions be raised via a “tip off”, the person receiving the tip off should attempt to obtain the following information from the informant.
Name, address and telephone number
Names of individuals involved
The manner of the alleged incident/s or
circumstances
Who do I tell?
The first person to whom you should report your suspicion or allegation is your Club Safeguarding Officer. If for any reason you cannot or do not wish to report to your Club Safeguarding Officer, you should refer to your County Safeguarding Officer. If you cannot, or do not wish to, report the information to either of these, then please contact the ECB Child Protection Team by email on crb@ecb.co.uk or 020 7432 1200.
Feedback
The amount of feedback relating to the issue will vary depending on the nature and result of the investigations. However, where possible, those who have raised concerns will be kept informed of the progress and eventual conclusion of investigations.
Useful contact numbers:
07800 574741 – Lara Van Gelder (Teddington CC Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO)
Concerned about a child in Kingston or Richmond?
Please contact the Single Point of Access (SPA) on 020 8547 5008
(020 8770 5000 for out of hours)
If you think a child is in immediate danger you should call 999.
If you would like to contact the Kingston and Richmond Safeguarding Children Partnership you can do so via:
Tel: 07834 386459
Email: lscb-support@kingrichlscb.org.uk
07557 956354 – Middlesex CCC Child Safeguarding Officer (Sharon Eyers)
0800 1111 – Childline
0800 0280285 – Whistle Blowing Helpline for Employees
ECB safeguarding team:
020 7432 1200
If a child is at immediate risk do not hesitate to call the police on 999.