Essex Safeguarding Community

Welcome to Essex Safeguarding Community

Introduction
Essex County is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for everyone who participates in the sport of short mat bowls.

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children, young people, adults at risk, and vulnerable members. Everyone has the right to participate in bowls in an environment that is free from abuse, neglect, bullying, discrimination, harassment, and any form of harm.

All club players, volunteers, coaches, officials, and visitors are expected to treat others with dignity, respect, and consideration. Any safeguarding concern will be taken seriously and dealt with promptly and appropriately, following relevant safeguarding procedures and guidance.

Where concerns arise, clubs should take appropriate action and, where necessary, seek advice or refer matters to the relevant safeguarding officer of your club or report to the Essex safeguarding officer.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Clubs should work to ensure that all members can enjoy Short Mat Bowls in a safe, friendly, respectful, and supportive environment.

On this page, you will find details of our commitment to Safeguarding you will find a range of help and resources to help us all in our mission towards safe bowls for all

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding, in simple terms, means making sure people are safe from harm. Its the everyday steps an organisation takes to prevent abuse, neglect, bullying, harassment or exploitation, and to act quickly and appropriately if there's a concern.

Essex Safeguarding Officer:

Email: Paul Reed

Telephone: 07868 756268

Safeguarding applies wherever people are supported, taught, supervised, coached or cared for including schools, clubs, tuition, sports, charities, care settings, and community groups.

Why is safeguarding important?

Safeguarding ensures people—especially those who may be vulnerable—can live safely, maintain dignity, and have their rights upheld. It is a core responsibility for anyone working with at-risk groups.

Safeguarding remains essential for creating safe environments and preventing harm

Safeguarding helps:

• Reduce the risk of unsuitable people having access to children or adults at risk
• Ensure people know how to spot and respond to concerns
• Create safer spaces where people feel listened to and respected
• Build trust with parents, carers, participants, donors and communities

What Safeguarding Protects People From - Common forms of harm include:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional/psychological abuse
• Neglect
• Domestic abuse
• Financial exploitation
• Discriminatory abuse
• Modern slavery
• Organisational abuse
• Self-neglect
  

Who Safeguarding Applies To - Safeguarding covers:

• Children and young people
• Adults with care or support needs, including older adults, people with disabilities, mental health challenges, or those at risk of exploitation

Key Principles

• Promote welfare and wellbeing
• Prevent harm before it occurs
• Identify concerns early
• Respond appropriately and proportionately
• Protect rights, dignity, and safety

Legal Framework (UK) - Safeguarding is supported by multiple laws and guidance, including:

• Children Act 1989/2004
• Care Act 2014 (adult safeguarding)

What does good safeguarding look like in a club, - Here are practical signs that safeguarding is being taken seriously:

• Clear safeguarding policy that’s easy to access and up to date
• A named Designated Safeguarding Officer  (and cover when they’re absent)
• Club Safer recruitment: references checked, identity verified, 
• Training: safeguarding training for volunteers, refreshed regularly
• Code of conduct: boundaries, appropriate communication, and behaviour expectations
• Reporting process: peope know what to do if a child discloses something or a concern is raised
• Record keeping: concerns and actions are logged appropriately including times, dates and who said what
• Supervision and ratios: safe supervision levels and proper oversight

What to do if you have a safeguarding concern? - If  child/Adult tells you something worrying, or you observe something concerning:

• Listen calmly and reassure them they've done the right thing by speaking up
• Write down what was said (in their words if possible) and when
• Report it to the club and ask for the safeguarding officer
• Immediate Risk If you believe someone is at immediate risk, contact emergency services

Safeguarding vs child protection (what's the difference?)

People often use these terms interchangeably, but they're slightly different:

• Safeguarding is the wider work to prevent harm and create safe systems and culture.
• Child protection is the work to respond to a specific concern that a child is being harmed or is at risk of harm.
• In practice, strong safeguarding reduces the likelihood that child protection action is needed and ensures concerns are handled properly when they do arise.

List of Essex Clubs:

Essex Clubs

Please see attached ESMBA Safeguarding links below

Safeguarding-Concerns-Reporting

ESMBA Safeguarding Policy

Resources

Club Safeguarding Roles

Training for Club Safeguarding Officers

DBS Clearance

Safeguarding News

Safeguarding Bulletins