County Welfare Officer's Newsletter August 2009

To all Cheshire Club Welfare Officers - I hope the season is going well and that the junior matches are now beginning to come to an end.
Although it is mid summer we should have to set our sights on the 2010 season.
Listed below are section I wish to address in this newsletter.

4.01 TTL courses
4.02 Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 / ISA
4.03. Adults behaviour
4.04 Other matters


4.01 TTL courses
As you are aware we try to run Time to Listen Courses (TTL) during the winter months so everyone who need training has the chance to get it done before the season starts. We havent got any dates planned, as yet, so I would like to hear from you if you need anyone training or need a refresher course ( required every 3 years ). We will also be able to sign CRB forms on the night.
We are still trying to get more tutors trained to deliver the courses and so we are very much in their hands as to the dates but if we can sort out acceptable locations that would help you.
Also any clubs who would wish to host a course would be welcome. Last year we had 6 dates for courses ( some new and some refreshers) and we had to combine some courses due to lack of numbers.Chester County Offices and Mobberley CC were new venues last year and I thank them for their facilities which I am sure we all appreciated.
Your club must be aware of the requirement for training as part of any Clubmark accreditation.

4.02 Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
You will be aware from various meeting I have spoken at and courses I have run that the above Act comes into force in Oct 2009. I told you that i would let you know about the impact it would have on cricket as soon as I was aware.
The good news is that it will not affect cricket in Oct 2009 but will be implimented in July 2010. I am attending a County Welfare Officers training day in Oct and as soon as I have any information I will pass it on to you.
The ISA ( Independent Safeguarding Authority) is what you will probably hear most about.

4.03 Adult behaviour.
I spoke at league meetings at the beginning of the season about adult behaviour at junior matches. I am glad to say that most of the problems have stopped. I have been made aware of a number of instances where the language of adults at matches where juniors have been playing ( particularly team managers prowling the boundary) has been quite `colourful` shall we say!!!
Please remind your managers especially at 2nd.3rd and 4th team level that this is not acceptable.

4.04 Other matters

I have asked the Cricket Board to advertise the post of assistant County Welfare Officer. I think that there should be someone in place if I am not available and I want the post to be advertised as widely as possible. I know from the way the Cheshire clubs have accepted Child Protection policies that there are a lot of people who would have a lot to offer in the role. Anyone intersted is welcome to speak to me about what the role involves or e-mail me.
I am looking to go through the list of interested parties in Sept or Oct. The applicant should ideally have a current ECB CRB, and have attended a TTL course and SPC. I would also like to hear about any experience in child protection issues.

Greater Manchester 10K run 2009
I would like to thank everyone who sponsored me for the event. It is now August and I have just recovered!!!
With your help I managed to raise £433.33p for the SANDS charity.

And Finally....

You know I am always available to speak to about any concerns however trivial they seem.

Kind Regards

Andy
Andy Margeson