Club Safeguarding Role
Safeguarding Roles at Club Level
At the 2023 AGM, the ESMBA confirmed that, in line with guidance from Sport England, from the start of the 2028 season it will be a mandatory requirement for all ESMBA affiliated clubs to have a safeguarding officer.
Many Counties are already committed to this, and many clubs already have a safeguarding officer in place but for those that don’t we have put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions on this page.
If there is something you wish to know which doesn’t appear here, please contact your county SGO. Their contact details can be found on the Safeguarding Contacts page.
Why do we need a safeguarding officer?
Following the Care act 2014, it became a legal requirement for all organisations and clubs to safeguard not only children but also adults at risk. The only way to do this effectively is to have a nominated person who is trained, DBS checked and aware of the safeguarding policy at each club.
What is the safeguarding officer’s role in a club?
A safeguarding Officer should have an understanding of the policy, how to implement it and how to act in the event of a disclosure ie how to record it and who to report it to. There is a full role description on the Bowls Development Alliance Resources Page.
Will an SGO be personally liable for any decision or advice they give?
At club level, officers will not be required to act on safeguarding concerns. The policy ensures that club officers report any issues and seek advice from their county officer and/or the lead safeguarding officer.
What Training is required?
Offering safeguarding education is key to ensuring club officers feel informed and supported. A club officer will need to sit the BDA “An introduction into safeguarding in bowls” e-learning course. They should be familiar with the Safeguarding policies and templates, as these should be followed to record and report any issues.
Will I need a DBS Certificate?
To ensure safer recruitment, the club SGO will need to hold an Enhanced DBS certificate. The ESMBA have an established application process in place and the cost is £12 per certificate. Please contact your County SGO for full details of how to apply. Please note that although an individual can apply for a DBS through a third-party provider online it is likely you will only get a BASIC certificate and the cost is usually significantly greater than £12.
How will I receive information regarding safeguarding and new developments?
The ESMBA website has its own, easy to find section for Safeguarding and important updates will be posted here. The ESMBA also has a strong communication structure so that important information quickly reaches officers in affiliated clubs. Each county has a Safeguarding Officer who reports to the County committee and reports are circulated in the County minutes to all clubs. In addition, once in post you will receive information directly from the County Safeguarding Officer, including the bi-monthly safeguarding bulletin.
Do I need to sit on the Club Committee?
Not necessarily, it is best practice to ensure independence from the committee in the event that issues are raised concerning them. It is, however, very important to work closely alongside the committee and report to them, whilst always maintaining to correct level of confidentiality required in safeguarding matters. You should submit reports for your club committee meetings as necessary and for the Club AGM.