Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility.
Everyone involved in cricket, from All Stars to the England teams, should understand the importance of keeping people safe within our game.
We The Surrey Down League are committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for everybody.
Therefore your committee endorse all our member clubs should have in place their own Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO). This includes every club not just those clubs with Junior Sections,
ALL Clubs should have a CSO.
They should also be listed on your club’s respective play-cricket website pages About Us / Officials
“Safeguarding is Law and therefore regardless of whether a sport organisation are or aren’t coming into direct contact with children and young people they have a responsibility for safeguarding and must work within the framework of legislation. Furthermore, Safeguarding adults is a responsibility for every sport and physical activity organisation. With the weight of legislation that surrounds safeguarding for both u18’s and adults, sports clubs are leaving themselves vulnerable for not engaging with safeguarding policies and procedures.”
County Safeguarding Officer – Surrey Cricket Foundation
“It is extremely unlikely that any club around the county (or country for that matter) will not have some links with U18s either through junior players, older junior wanting to play adult cricket, children that visit the club or who are related to playing members or U18s on the opposition teams that visit. As the ECB slogan says, Safeguarding is Everyone’s Responsibility.”
Assistant Director Cricket Participation, Surrey Cricket Foundation
“Safeguarding is important, and is everyone’s responsibility. We should all be aware, at Work, at our Cricket Club, at a Training Session, at a Match. To allow us to challenge behaviour, report any concerns, or seek advice from your respective Cricket Club’s Safeguarding Officer”
Safeguarding Officer – The Surrey Downs League
“People play a crucial role in safeguarding. There is a strong emphasis on people understanding the impact of their behaviour and how positive behaviours result in positive experiences”
England & Wales Cricket Board / The Cricket Regulator – Safeguarding Strategy 2025-2028
County Safeguarding Officers are appointed by each County Cricket Board in order to provide advice and assistance on safeguarding for clubs, leagues and other affiliated organisations within each county. All Club Safeguarding Officers have access to this support and the County Safeguarding Officer actively supports clubs in creating a fun and safe environment for everyone to enjoy the game.
Club Safeguarding Officers – Whilst everyone is responsible for safeguarding, the Club Safeguarding Officer will make sure the appropriate policies and procedures are in place, and that everyone in regulated activity at their club, is vetted by the ECB. They are the go-to person that others come to if they have concerns, and having attended specific training, will know what to do in order to assist, or who to ask for further help.
League Safeguarding Officers – There is a designated volunteer workforce of League Safeguarding Officers who promote and oversee best practice in safeguarding. The League Safeguarding Officer is in place to improve practices across the league, ensure clubs are compliant and be the first point of contact for any safeguarding concerns.
| Surrey Downs League Safeguarding Officer | Surrey County Safeguarding Officer |
| Paul Griffiths | Heidi Langrish |
| safeguarding@surreydowns.org | safeguarding@surreycricket.com |
| 07802 712702 | 07843 977 020 |
Club Safeguarding Training for Club Safeguarding Officers:
There is some training to give your Club Safeguarding Officer some knowledge around Safeguarding including what is expected of you.
How to become a Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO)
In terms of a CSO being deemed fully trained you need to:
- Volunteer!
- Complete a Cricket Specific Disclosure & barring Service (DBS)
- Complete the free online Safeguarding for Committee Members and Club Safeguarding Officers. Candidates are automatically enrolled on this course when booking the Safe Hands Workshop (see point 4).
- Attend the Safe Hands Workshop (a face to face course for Club Safeguarding Officers) – the
current courses can be booked (also listed below) here :
https://www.surreycricketfoundation.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-officers/
Current Course Dates for ECB SafeHands Workshops with Surrey Cricket:
| Venue | Date and Time | Availability |
| Wimbledon Cricket Club The Wimbledon Club Church Road WIMBLEDON London SW19 5AG | Wednesday 23 April 2025 6:30-9:30pm | https://booking.ecb.co.uk/wAzr5Z |
| Surrey Cricket Centre George Abbot School Woodruff Avenue BURPHAM, Guildford Surrey GU1 1XX | Monday 12 May 2025 6:30-9:30pm | https://booking.ecb.co.uk/ykPxDD |
NEW SAFEGUARDING COURSES FOR 2025
some updated info from the Safeguarding team at The Cricket Regulator
from the The Safeguarding Team at the Cricket Regulator, on behalf of the ECB
Following feedback from the network and an internal review, the Safeguarding Team took the decision to and revamp the current Safeguarding for Specialist Roles (SSR) course and bolt on modules.
The new suite of safeguarding courses are being created with a working date of January 2025 as follows:
Safeguarding Level 1 – SGL1 (previously ECB Safeguarding Induction) A 30-minute online training module provided for anyone, completed when required.
Safeguarding Level 2 – SGL2 (previously SSR + relevant bolt on) A 1-hour interactive online course with an assessment for everyone in a specialist role. Please note, this has moved to one course, and “bolts on” have been removed.
Safeguarding Level 3 – SGL3 A 3-hour face to face workshop led by an ECB trained tutor: a. ECB Safe Hands Workshop (Recreational Game) b. Safeguarding in the Talent Pathway (Performance Pathway / Professional Game).
Further details will be sent out shortly with a progress update.
Thank you for your support.
from The Safeguarding Team at the Cricket Regulator, on behalf of the ECB
NB : Safeguarding Level 2 due to be published/released 3 March 2025
Questions?
If you have any questions around safeguarding, or cricket safeguarding or DBS please reach out to our Surrey Downs League Safeguarding officer. email : safeguarding @ surreydowns.org thank you
this page was last reviewed and updated 14 February 2025