Safeguarding
Safeguarding is about creating a safe, welcoming environment where everyone can enjoy bowls without fear of harm, abuse, or neglect. It covers the protection of children, young people, and adults at risk, and it ensures that clubs have the right people, policies, and processes in place to respond to concerns appropriately.
Good safeguarding practice is part of being a well‑run club. It protects members, volunteers, and the reputation of the sport.
Useful links:
What clubs must do
All affiliated clubs are required to:
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Appoint a Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO) and ensure their contact details are visible to members
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Adopt the Bowls England Safeguarding Policies for both children and adults.
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Ensure the CSO completes appropriate safeguarding training (including refresher training every 3 years) and has an up to date enhanced DBS check.
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Make safeguarding part of club governance, including committee awareness and clear reporting routes.
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Promote a safe culture, where members feel comfortable raising concerns and know who to speak to.
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Respond appropriately to any safeguarding concern, following Bowls England procedures and involving statutory agencies where required.
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Inform Bowls Yorkshire of the name and contact details of their CSO including any changes including new appointments or resignations.
These requirements are part of club affiliation and help ensure a consistent, safe environment across Yorkshire.
How Bowls Yorkshire supports clubs
The County Safeguarding Officer plays a vital role in supporting and empowering Club Safeguarding Officers by:
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Maintaining a strong network by maintaining regular contact with Club Safeguarding Officers to foster a sense of community and facilitate open communication.
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Providing guidance and signposting to Bowls England safeguarding policies, templates, and training.
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Offering advice to Club Safeguarding Officers (CSOs) on handling concerns, reporting routes, and best practice.
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Supporting clubs to meet their safeguarding responsibilities as a condition of affiliation.
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Working with Bowls England on any safeguarding matters that require escalation or formal reporting.
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Promoting safe recruitment and encouraging clubs to ensure appropriate DBS checks are in place where required.
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Raising awareness of safeguarding responsibilities across the county through communication, training opportunities, and county events.
The County Safeguarding Officer also maintains a list of all Club Safeguarding Officers and can provide guidance and support with recruiting a Club Safeguarding Officer.
Bowls Yorkshire does not replace the statutory authorities or Bowls England’s Safeguarding Team, but we act as a supportive link between clubs and national guidance.
What members should do if they have a concern
If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child, young person, or adult at risk within your club or at a bowls event, you should:
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Report it as soon as possible to your Club Safeguarding Officer. Their details should be displayed in the clubhouse or on the club website.
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If the concern involves the Club Safeguarding Officer, or you feel unable to speak to them, contact the Bowls Yorkshire Safeguarding Officer.
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For serious or immediate risks of harm, contact the police or local authority safeguarding team straight away. You do not need permission to do this.
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Do not investigate the concern yourself. Your role is to report, not to decide what has happened.
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Keep information confidential, sharing it only with the appropriate safeguarding contacts.
You can also report a concern directly to Bowls England here. Every concern is taken seriously. Reporting a concern is about protecting someone who may need help, and you will be supported throughout the process.
Bowls Yorkshire Safeguarding Officer
You can contact the Bowls Yorkshire Safeguarding Officer, Mick O'Donnell by email - safeguarding@bowlsyorkshire.co.uk