Safeguarding Concerns

If you have any concern about the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child, young person or adult at risk involved in cricket in Yorkshire, report it as soon as possible. All concerns should be reported.

To help you understand what to report and how urgently it needs to be acted on, concerns can be grouped into three categories:

  • Welfare concerns;
  • Low-level safeguarding concerns;
  • Threshold safeguarding concerns.

 

Report a safeguarding concern

Welfare Concerns

Welfare concerns relate to an individual’s general wellbeing, where there may be no immediate safeguarding risk but support or action is still needed.

These concerns are important and should not be ignored, as they can escalate if left unaddressed.

Examples of Welfare Concerns

  • A participant appearing distressed, anxious, withdrawn or unhappy;
  • Concerns about mental health or emotional wellbeing;
  • Issues with inclusion, fairness or feeling unsafe within a club environment;
  • Ongoing low-level conflict or peer relationship issues;
  • Concerns about workload, pressure or burnout;
  • Minor health or wellbeing issues affecting participation.

In line with YCF safeguarding guidance, welfare concerns relating to individuals at clubs should be raised in the first instance with the relevant Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO).

If you are unsure who the CSO is, or if the concern involves the CSO themselves, you can contact the YCF Safe & Fair Cricket team for support.

Any concerns relating to a participant involved in YCF activity, must be reported to the Safe & Fair Cricket team.

Low-Level Concerns (LLCs)

A low-level concern is any behaviour, action, or situation that does not meet the threshold for significant harm but still causes concern about:

  • Someone’s conduct or behaviour;
  • Professional boundaries;
  • Poor practice;
  • The overall safety and wellbeing of participants.

These concerns may seem minor on their own, but when viewed together they can indicate patterns of behaviour. Reporting them allows us to act early and maintain safe environments.

Examples of Low-Level Concerns

  • A staff member or volunteer being overly familiar or crossing professional boundaries;
  • Inappropriate language or jokes that make someone uncomfortable;
  • Poor supervision or organisation of activities;
  • Minor breaches of codes of conduct.

The ECB’s guidance on Low-Level Concerns can be found here.

Threshold Concerns

Threshold concerns involve actual or suspected harm, or a clear risk of harm, to a child, young person or adult at risk. These concerns require immediate escalation.

They may indicate abuse, neglect, exploitation or serious misconduct.

Examples of Threshold Concerns

  • Physical, emotional or sexual abuse, or neglect;
  • A disclosure from a child, young person or adult at risk;
  • Serious bullying, harassment or discriminatory behaviour;
  • Online grooming or harmful digital communication;
  • A participant appearing frightened of someone or showing signs of harm;
  • Concerns about someone’s suitability to work with children or adults at risk.

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

What should be reported?

Safeguarding and welfare concerns can include, but are not limited to:

  • Behaviour that makes you or others feel uncomfortable or unsafe;
  • Bullying, harassment or discrimination;
  • Physical, emotional or sexual harm;
  • Neglect or inappropriate supervision;
  • Online or digital safety concerns;
  • Concerns about the conduct or wellbeing of employees, volunteers or participants;
  • Any situation where a child, young person or adult at risk may be at risk of harm.

If you are unsure whether something should be reported, report it anyway. We would always prefer to be informed and help assess the situation.