Welfare Officers

DBS update October 2020 – The changes detailed below will be effective from the 1st November 2020

The ID verification part of the application process has changed temporarily to allow these to be actioned via a video call as opposed to the standard Face to Face Meeting.

If you require an ECB DBS check please email one of the following:

brian.hoyle@somersetcricketboard.org
matthew.counsell@somersetcricketboard.org
scott.chappell@somersetcricketboard.org
steve.gass@somersetcricketboard.org
raysomcricket@btconnect.com
amandacounsell@yahoo.co.uk

Your application will be initiated and a link sent directly to your email address. Complete and submit the online application and contact one of the above members of staff to arrange to have your application authorised remotely.

Important steps for the online ID verification meeting:

Ensure that you email over copies of their 3 ID documents prior to the meeting
Ensure that you have your application reference number
Check that your application is in your Full Legal Name (as appears on birth certificate/passport etc)
Confirm if you are a volunteer or in a paid role and that your application has been set up accordingly
At each stage, the applicant will be required to hold up to the screen the original photo ID document to compare a likeness of the photo.
All documents sent by email will be deleted / destroyed.

If you incur any issues with the application verification, then please seek support from dbs@ecb.co.uk

If you require any information or guidance around the DBS process please contact brian.hoyle@somersetcricketboard.org or matthew.counsell@somersetcricketboard.org

Due to the current restrictions, there are no face to face Safeguarding & Protecting Children, Safe Hands Workshops or Safe Hands Refresher courses available.

Club Welfare Officers can obtain or renew their qualifications as follows:

Safe Hands Workshop or Safe Hands Refresher courses can be accessed through the free online course, which is detailed in the table below.
This qualification is valid for a 24 month period and covers all existing or new CWO’s.

The Safeguarding & Protecting Children course qualification can currently be covered by accessing the free online ECB Safeguarding Young cricketers module, which is detailed in the table below.
This qualification is valid for 3 years and currently replaces the SPC qualification for all existing or new CWO’s.

Please note that any CWO’s registering for the online Safe Hands course detailed above, will automatically receive an invitation email from the ECB to access the online Safeguarding Young Cricketers module.

Further information will be updated here as it becomes available.

All clubs should have a qualified Club Welfare Officer as an essential part of their safeguarding structure.

The welfare of young people involved in cricket in the county is of paramount importance and we are committed to ensuring that cricket provides a safe, friendly and enjoyable experience for all children.

As a result we want to ensure that every club playing cricket in the county at any level has a Club Welfare Officer. Welfare Officers are vital members of the club and key to making an environment safe, welcoming, and friendly for all to enjoy the game of cricket.

If your club does not have an appointed Club Welfare Officer it should appoint one as soon as possible.

Details of all upcoming courses for Welfare Officers in Somerset can be found at the bottom of this page.

Training for Club Welfare Officers

Club Welfare Officers are required to hold the following three certifications:

1) Safeguarding and Protecting Children (course run by UK Coaching).

In Somerset these courses are run by SASP (South) and Wesport (North) can be found by visiting the SASP Course Website or visiting the WESPORT Course Website.

2) Safe Hands qualification (ECB course run in partnership with the NSPCC).

The ECB Safe Hands Workshop provides advice on the CWO role, along with the requirements and responsibilities of child safeguarding in clubs.

3) An ECB DBS Vetting Check.

ECB DBS is now completed online, this is a far quicker process than the old paper system. To create an online ECB DBS form the following information is required:

Full Name (including Title)
Date of Birth
Preferred Email Address
Club affiliation

..and should be emailed to either matthew.counsell@somersetcricketboard.org or brian.hoyle@somersetcricketboard.org.

Every three years, requirements 1, 2 and 3 must be updated.

Training for existing Club Welfare Officers

Any existing Club Welfare Officer renewing qualifications can complete an Online E learning Safeguarding and Protecting Children course and the ECB Safe Hands Refresher course rather than the full Safe Hands course.

Online E learning Safeguarding and Protecting Children

To book onto this course please visit the UK Coaching Course Website.

ECB Safe Hands Refresher course

The ECB Safe Hands Refresher Workshop expands on the information provided in the SHW. The course is aimed at refreshing and updating the safeguarding advice around the CWO role and the requirements and responsibilities of child safeguarding in clubs.

Next Courses in Somerset

23rd September update

There are currently no face to face Safe Hands Workshops or Safe Hands Refresher courses available.

Club Welfare Officers can obtain or renew their Safe Hands qualification by accessing the free online course which is detailed in the table below.
This qualification is valid for a 24 month period.