Wiltshire County Hockey Association adopts England Hockey’s Safeguarding and Protecting Young People in Hockey Policy, Procedures and Guidance to ensure all those in the hockey family have a safe and positive experience. 

DEFINITIONS: 

HOCKEY FAMILY – The hockey family includes all individuals, clubs, associations and other organisations involved in any capacity in the game of hockey, whether members of England Hockey or not. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes all players and anyone working within hockey (in a paid or voluntary capacity, and whether as an employee or on a self-employed or other work basis) including all coaches, umpires, referees and other officials. 

YOUNG PEOPLE – Anyone under the age of 18. CLUB – includes both hockey club and association.

WE WILL DO THIS BY:

  •  Recognising all young people participating in hockey (regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability) have the right to play in an environment free from poor practice, abuse and harm.
  •  Ensuring all people who work in hockey at, or for, our club (including staff, officials, volunteers, team managers, coaches) have a responsibility for safeguarding young people and understand how the safeguarding policy and guidance applies to them.
  • Ensuring all individuals working at, or for, the club are recruited in accordance with England Hockey’s recruitment guidance.
  • Ensuring all individuals working within hockey at, or for, the club are provided with support, through education and training, so they are aware of and adhere to England Hockey’s Code of Ethics and Behaviour.
  • lways approaching safeguarding with a young person perspective, ensuring the individual’s wellbeing is the prime focus.
  • Ensuring that the responsibility of determining whether or not abuse has taken place, lies with child protection experts, however it is everyone in hockey’s responsibility to report concerns.

​ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Wiltshire County Hockey Association will ensure the name and contact details of the Welfare Officer are available:

  • As the first point of contact for parents, young people and volunteers/staff within the club.
  • As the main point of contact within the club for the England Hockey Safeguarding team as well as relevant external agencies in connection with safeguarding young people.
  • As a local source of procedural advice for the club, its committee and members.                                                          

IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT SAFEGUARDING ISSUES PLEASE CONTACT:

Leslie Love (WCHA) at [email protected] or the team at England Hockey.

Alison Hogg – to report a safeguarding concern
Phone: 01628 897500
Email: [email protected]