Safeguarding
Junior Cricket Premier League
Safeguarding Policy
Version 2.0 · May 2026 · Applies to all JCPL match days and league activity
Policy owner Justin Taundi — Founder & Designated Safeguarding Lead, JCPL
Safeguarding contact welfare@jcpl.co.uk
Applies to All JCPL match days, franchise activity and league communications
ECB policy adopted ECB Safe Hands — Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children
Next review date May 2027 or following any significant change in ECB or statutory guidance
Version history v1.0 — February 2026 (initial) · v2.0 — May 2026 (full review)
This policy applies to all individuals involved in JCPL activity — players, Franchise Coordinators, coaches, umpires, match officials, volunteers, parents and spectators. It must be read alongside the ECB Safe Hands Policy, a copy of which is available at ecb.co.uk.
1. Statement of Intent
The Junior Cricket Premier League (JCPL) is a franchise-format junior cricket competition for players aged U9–U13 operating in Yorkshire. The JCPL is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, positive and inclusive environment for every young person who participates in its activities.
The welfare of every child and young person is the JCPL’s paramount consideration. Every decision made in connection with JCPL activity must place the child’s welfare above all other considerations, including the interests of any adult, club or organisation.
The JCPL adopts and implements the ECB Safe Hands — Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children in full. This policy supplements that national framework with JCPL-specific procedures that reflect the nature of the competition — outdoor astroturf venues, technology-enabled match recording, and a franchise model involving multiple clubs and academies across Yorkshire.
2. Scope — Who This Policy Applies To
This policy applies to all individuals involved in JCPL activity, including:
Franchise Coordinators — the designated adult responsible for each JCPL franchise team on match days
Coaches, team managers and support staff — any adult accompanying a franchise team
JCPL Match Referees, umpires and officials — all match day officials appointed by the JCPL
JCPL volunteers — any adult assisting with JCPL operations on match days
Parents and spectators — all adults present at JCPL match days
Players — all registered players aged U9–U13
This policy applies at all JCPL match days, training sessions connected to JCPL activity, finals days, and in all digital communications conducted in connection with the JCPL.
3. Key Principles
Child welfare is paramount. The interests of the child must always take precedence.
Inclusion. All children have the right to participate safely regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or background.
Prevention. The JCPL takes proactive steps to prevent harm through policy, safer recruitment and training requirements.
Responsibility to report. It is not the role of JCPL personnel to determine whether abuse has occurred. It is their responsibility to report any concern promptly and appropriately.
Confidentiality. Safeguarding information is shared only on a need-to-know basis. Concerns are never discussed with those who are the subject of an allegation.
Consistent standards. The same standards apply at every JCPL match day regardless of venue, franchise or age group.
4. Roles and Responsibilities
4.1 JCPL Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
The JCPL Designated Safeguarding Lead is Justin Taundi, Founder. The DSL is responsible for:
Ensuring this policy is implemented, reviewed and communicated to all relevant parties
Receiving and responding to all safeguarding concerns raised in connection with JCPL activity
Liaising with the Yorkshire Cricket Board Safeguarding Lead and, where appropriate, statutory agencies
Maintaining records of all safeguarding concerns and actions taken
Ensuring all Franchise Coordinators and match officials are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities before the first match day
DSL contact: welfare@jcpl.co.uk
4.2 Franchise Coordinators
Each JCPL franchise must designate a Franchise Coordinator who is the primary safeguarding contact for that franchise. The Coordinator is responsible for:
Holding a valid Enhanced DBS certificate before their first JCPL match day
Completing the ECB Safe Hands online training before their first JCPL match day
Briefing all adults associated with their franchise on this policy and the Code of Conduct before the first match day
Submitting a complete no-media player list with every team sheet
Being the first point of contact for any safeguarding concern arising within their franchise on a match day, and reporting it to the JCPL DSL immediately
4.3 Match Referees and Umpires
All JCPL match officials are responsible for:
Holding a valid Enhanced DBS certificate
Reporting any safeguarding concern observed on match day to the JCPL DSL immediately
Having authority to remove any adult whose behaviour is inappropriate toward any player from the match day venue
4.4 Parents and Spectators
All adults present at JCPL match days are expected to:
Comply with the JCPL Code of Conduct
Not photograph or film any player identified as a No-Media player under any circumstances
Report any welfare concern to the Franchise Coordinator or JCPL Match Referee immediately
5. Safer Recruitment and DBS Requirements
The JCPL requires all adults who have unsupervised or regular supervised access to young players in connection with JCPL activity to hold a valid Enhanced DBS certificate accepted by the ECB. This includes:
Franchise Coordinators
Coaches and assistant coaches accompanying a franchise team
JCPL Match Referees and umpires
Any volunteer with a designated role at JCPL match days
DBS certificates must be current and on the ECB’s Disclosure and Barring Service system. The JCPL will not permit any individual without a valid DBS to take up an unsupervised role with players until certification is confirmed.
Franchise Coordinators must confirm DBS status for themselves and all adults in their franchise team before the first match day of each phase. Confirmation is provided via the Franchise Registration Form.
6. Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
Anyone who has a concern about the welfare of a child in connection with JCPL activity must report it. You do not need to be certain that abuse has occurred — a concern is enough.
6.1 How to Report
Do not investigate yourself. Do not interview the child or confront the person about whom a concern has been raised. Preserve any evidence.
Tell the JCPL DSL. Report the concern to welfare@jcpl.co.uk as soon as possible. If you are on a match day, tell the JCPL Match Referee or Franchise Coordinator immediately.
Record what you saw or heard. Write down exactly what you observed, using the child’s own words where relevant. Note the date, time and any witnesses. Do not alter or delay your record.
If a child is in immediate danger — call the Police (999) first. Then inform the JCPL DSL.
6.2 Contact Details for Reporting
JCPL Designated Safeguarding Lead
Justin Taundi — Founder, JCPL
Email: welfare@jcpl.co.uk
This email is monitored and will receive a response within 24 hours on match days.
Yorkshire Cricket Board — Safeguarding Lead
yorkshirecb.com
For independent guidance on concerns involving JCPL activity in Yorkshire.
Statutory and Emergency Contacts
Police (emergency): 999
Police (non-emergency): 101
NSPCC Helpline (free, 24 hours): 0808 800 5000
NSPCC online: www.nspcc.org.uk/report
Leeds City Council Children’s Services: 0113 222 4403
6.3 Allegations Against Adults
If a concern is raised about the behaviour of an adult involved in JCPL activity (including a Franchise Coordinator, coach, official or volunteer), the JCPL DSL will:
Ensure the child’s immediate safety
Not investigate the allegation or confront the individual
Report the matter to the Yorkshire Cricket Board Safeguarding Lead
Suspend the individual from JCPL activity pending investigation
Refer to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) where the allegation meets the threshold for referral
If the allegation is against the JCPL DSL, concerns should be reported directly to the Yorkshire Cricket Board Safeguarding Lead.
7. Photography, Video and Digital Content
Every JCPL match is recorded by Veo Cam and player statistics are published on CricHeroes. This section sets out how the JCPL manages media involving young players.
7.1 Media Consent
Before a player’s first JCPL match, their parent or guardian must complete a Player Registration Form which includes a media consent declaration with three options:
Full consent — the player may appear in Veo footage, photography and CricHeroes profile content published by the JCPL
Partial consent — the player may appear in wide group shots and team footage but not as the sole focus of a clip or photograph
No consent — the player must not appear in any published Veo footage or photography
Consent choices must be respected without exception. Consent may be updated at any time by contacting welfare@jcpl.co.uk.
7.2 No-Media Player Identification
Players registered as No Consent or Partial Consent are designated No-Media Players. To ensure consistent identification:
No-Media Players wear a distinctive JCPL identification item (coloured cap or bib) throughout all match activity on every match day
The Franchise Coordinator must submit a complete and accurate No-Media Player list with the team sheet before each match
The JCPL Match Referee and all photographers must receive the No-Media Player list before picking up a camera
Any image or footage containing an identifiable No-Media Player must be deleted before sharing or publishing
7.3 Veo Cam Recording
Every JCPL match is automatically recorded by Veo Cam. The JCPL reviews all Veo footage before publishing highlight clips to social media. The review process must confirm that no No-Media Player is identifiable as the subject of a published clip, and no footage is published of any player in a vulnerable or compromising position.
Veo footage is owned by the JCPL. Franchises are granted a licence to share clips featuring their own players (excluding No-Media Players) for non-commercial social media use.
7.4 CricHeroes Player Profiles
Player statistics are recorded on CricHeroes from each player’s first match. Privacy settings reflect the consent declaration on the Player Registration Form:
Full consent — player profile visible publicly with first name, age group and statistics
Partial consent — statistics only, no name displayed publicly
No consent — player profile set to private; the player is still scored but their profile is not publicly visible
7.5 Photography by Parents and Spectators
Parents and spectators may photograph and film at JCPL match days subject to the following:
No-Media Players must never be photographed or filmed under any circumstances
No images or footage may be taken in any changing or toilet facility
No images or footage may be taken of injured players
Images may not be shared on social media where a No-Media Player could be identified
7.6 Commissioned Photographers
Any photographer commissioned by the JCPL for match days or finals days must hold a valid Enhanced DBS certificate, receive and sign the No-Media Player list before the session begins, submit all images for JCPL review before publishing, and delete any image in which a No-Media Player is identifiable.
8. Digital Communications and Social Media
8.1 Communications with Players
Adults must not communicate with JCPL players directly via private social media messages, direct messages or personal messaging apps. All communications must be directed to the player’s parent or guardian, or take place in a group chat that includes a parent or guardian and another responsible adult.
8.2 JCPL WhatsApp Groups
The JCPL and Franchise Coordinators use WhatsApp group chats for match day communications. The following rules apply to all JCPL-connected WhatsApp groups:
Group chats with players must include at least two adults and a parent or guardian for every player in the group
Adults must not send private messages to players
Match day WhatsApp groups must be administered by the Franchise Coordinator
Screenshots of group conversations must not be shared outside the group without consent
8.3 Social Media Content
The JCPL publishes match day content on Instagram, TikTok and X. All published content must comply with Section 7 of this policy. The JCPL will not publish the full name of any player under 18 alongside their image without explicit additional written consent from the parent or guardian.
9. Anti-Bullying
The JCPL has a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying in all forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, cyber and discriminatory bullying.
Any player, adult or spectator engaging in bullying behaviour may be removed from the JCPL match day venue by the Match Referee. Serious or persistent bullying will be referred to the JCPL DSL and may result in suspension or removal from the JCPL. Players and parents should report concerns to their Franchise Coordinator or directly to welfare@jcpl.co.uk.
10. Changing Facilities and Physical Contact
10.1 Changing Facilities
The JCPL plays exclusively on outdoor astroturf venues. Players should arrive at the venue ready to play where possible. Where changing is required, players must be accompanied by a parent or guardian or use a private facility designated for that purpose. Adults must not enter changing or toilet facilities used by players. No photography or filming is permitted in any changing area.
10.2 Physical Contact
Physical contact between adults and players should be avoided except where strictly necessary for the safety or wellbeing of the player (e.g. first aid). Where contact is necessary it should be appropriate and proportionate, with the player’s consent where possible, and in a visible location.
11. First Aid and Medical Welfare
A basic sports first aid kit is provided by the JCPL at every match day. The JCPL Match Referee is the designated first aid contact on match days.
Franchise Coordinators must ensure that the JCPL holds up-to-date medical information for every registered player via the Player Registration Form, including any medical conditions, medication carried on site, and any physical restrictions on participation. Medical information is held securely and shared only with the JCPL Match Referee and Franchise Coordinator on a need-to-know basis.
12. Concerns About the Behaviour of Adults
Behaviours that should be reported include:
Inappropriate physical contact with a player
Private or inappropriate communication with a player
Behaviour that causes a player distress, anxiety or fear
Discriminatory language or behaviour directed at a player
An adult being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at a JCPL match day
Any behaviour that makes a player feel unsafe or uncomfortable
Any such concern should be reported to the JCPL DSL at welfare@jcpl.co.uk. The Match Referee has authority to remove any adult from the match day venue immediately where their behaviour poses a risk to players.
If the concern is about the JCPL DSL, report directly to the Yorkshire Cricket Board Safeguarding Lead via yorkshirecb.com.
13. Confidentiality and Record-Keeping
All safeguarding concerns are treated with confidentiality. Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis — with those who need it to protect the child.
The JCPL DSL maintains a written record of all safeguarding concerns, including the date and time the concern was reported, nature of the concern, action taken and by whom, and outcome. Records are held securely and retained for a minimum of seven years or until the child reaches the age of 25, whichever is later, in accordance with ECB guidance.
14. Policy Review and Communication
This policy will be reviewed annually in May, or following any significant safeguarding incident, material changes to ECB Safe Hands guidance, or a change in the JCPL’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.
The current version of this policy is published at jcpl.co.uk/jcpl-safeguarding-policy and is provided to all Franchise Coordinators before the first match day of each phase.
Quick Reference — Safeguarding Contacts
JCPL Internal
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Justin Taundi — Founder, JCPL
welfare@jcpl.co.uk
External
Yorkshire Cricket Board: yorkshirecb.com
NSPCC (free, 24hrs): 0808 800 5000
Police (emergency): 999
Police (non-emergency): 101
Leeds Children’s Services: 0113 222 4403
This policy is version 2.0, effective May 2026. It supersedes all previous versions. The ECB Safe Hands Policy applies alongside this document and is available at ecb.co.uk. Questions about this policy should be directed to welfare@jcpl.co.uk.