| Safeguarding |
Officials who manage our clubs should spend some time studying the information on this page, so they are fully aware of the scope of their responsibilities in this area.
SAFEGUARDING – what is it? Originally known simply as Child Protection, nowadays we are all encouraged to recognize our collective responsibility for the welfare of ALL members of our clubs and visitors, not only with regards to possible abuse but also in areas such as bullying, offensive behavior, prejudice and physical safety. Our collective aim should be to provide an environment in which every one of our members and visitors feel safe, respected and able to raise problems in any area that concerns them without the fear of any recrimination.
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REPORTING CONCERNS
If you have any concerns about the welfare of a child or adult in your club, whether the issue is inside or outside the sport you should initially contact your clubs nominated Safeguarding Officer or either of the following for advice.
National Safeguarding Officer (NSO): Lynn Dean 01258 817432 or lynn@esmba.co.uk
County Safeguarding Officer (CSO): Jill Newsome 01757 288842 or junco.nysmba@outlook.com
Club Safeguarding Officers: We are advised by the ESMBA that all clubs will need to appoint a Safeguarding Officer by 2028.
Additionally, advice can be sought from one of the agencies below.
NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk
CPSU (Child Protection in Sport) on 0116 2347278 or email cpsu@nspcc.org.uk
Ann Craft Trust on 0115 951 5400 or email ann-craft-trust@nottingham.ac.uk
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ESMBA – Safeguarding – The NYSMBA have taken on board the guidance provided by the ESMBA as documented on their website.
ESMBA Safeguarding forum 2022 – This MS Powerpoint presentation is very useful and explains what you need to know about safeguarding at club level and why it is so important.
FAQs – Frequently asked questions as to why a safeguarding policy is so necessary.
Safeguarding Officers and DBS checks – The National (NSO) and County (CSO) Officers are shown above but in addition all clubs are strongly recommended to appoint one of their members as their local Safeguarding Officer. Anyone nominated should act as the prime contact point between the club and the CSO regarding any area of concern that they are made aware of. The club SO should be prepared to submit themselves to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (which will be paid for by the NYSMBA).
NYSMBA Safeguarding policy The NYSMBA have modified the ESMBA template provided, to produce our own policy document based on recommendations from our own CSO, which all clubs should refer to.
Parent Carers Form (PCF) – For all members under 18 and any Vulnerable Adults, this form must be fully completed and returned to the Membership Secretary at registration time each year.
Constitution amendment – This amendment was added to our constitution in 2009 and our clubs were directed at that time, to introduce the same wording into their own constitutions.
Club statement template – This safeguarding information should be suitably modified and then displayed within club premises.
Code of conduct – Clubs should ensure that all their members have read and preferably signed this document.
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The Bowls Development Alliance
Bowls Development Alliance –The BDA is a partnership organization involving the NGOs of all bowls disciplines including the ESMBA. On their website is a lot of useful information on all aspects of their work including Safeguarding.
BDA Safeguarding essentials – This poster is intended to display key contacts information in your club.
BDA Safeguarding Bulletins – In February 2022 the BDA produced the first “Safeguarding News“, a single page bulletin aimed at both club and county committees. These are passed on to all club Secretaries for information and to post on club notice boards. As at April 2024 there have been 16 issues and these can be downloaded/viewed from the ESMBA website using this link.
