Parents/carers, coaches, team managers and other volunteers and organisers should be aware that there are circumstances where junior players may find themselves changing in facilities where adults are present in the area.
Cricket is unusual in that children (under 18s) play, compete, practice, train and socialise amongst adults. We all have a duty of care to ensure risks are minimised by implementing the following procedures.
While groups of children are using changing facilities, coaches and other volunteers must not enter unless necessary. Such access should be announced verbally before entering. Signage should be used to indicate when the changing room is in use by children.
- Child players should be encouraged to arrive and leave in their playing kit and are not required to change/shower at the ground.
- Where possible, separate facilities should be available for children to change/shower in a different location to adults.
- It is recognised that some children, particularly those aged 16 and 17, may wish to change/shower alongside adults in communal changing rooms. Such a situation should be agreed in advance with a Club Safeguarding Officer (Nadeem Ahmed and Irina Mann), the child and the parent/carer - it is essential that no pressure is applied for a child to make any particular choice.
- Mixed gender teams must always have separate and clearly signed changing facilities. If this is not possible, male and female players should have a specific time allocated to using the changing facilities and this should be strictly adhered to.
- Mobile phones or any other equipment capable of capturing still or moving images should not used in the changing room when people are changing. This must be a mandatory expectation where children choose to use facilities.
