What does a Club Safeguarding Officer do?

Every ECB-affiliated club must recruit, appoint and train a Club Safeguarding Officer. Under the ECB Safe Hands Policy 2026 and guidance, the role is to:

• be the club's designated safeguarding lead and first point of contact for anyone with a safeguarding concern;
• sit on the club committee, with safeguarding a standing agenda item and the main driver of junior cricket decisions;
• make sure the club adopts and follows Safe Hands and its own safeguarding policy;
• make sure everyone working with children goes through safer recruitment and ECB DBS vetting, and that members know which roles need a check;
• report concerns to the County Safeguarding Officer and the Cricket Regulator promptly;
• keep records accurate, secure and confidential;
• encourage a culture where children's and parents' views are sought and acted on.

The ECB recommends that the Club Safeguarding Officer doesn't hold other club roles, that their name and contact details are displayed on the club noticeboard, and that, where possible, they are present at junior sessions, matches and registration events. Clubs may appoint more than one to reflect the diversity of their membership. The Club Chair and committee keep ultimate responsibility for safeguarding.