Welfare Officers to now to be known as Safeguarding Officers......
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Important Information for all Clubs and Leagues
Currently in cricket the terminology of League Welfare Officer/ Club Welfare Officer has been used, however to provide consistency across the cricket network and to bring the title in line with the terminology used in all areas of cricket, other sports and external agencies, the ECB are recommending a change to League/Club Safeguarding Officer. This change will provide consistency in all areas of cricket and will align with external practices. The change will also include our County Welfare Officers who will be known as County Safeguarding Officers.
The ECB recognise that this will take some time to achieve. Amendments will be required to various policy and guidance documents. For example, Safe Hands documentation currently refers to the role of a welfare officer. There may be a period of transition where both terms welfare and safeguarding, crossover, we hope this will not hinder the work you are doing in anyway. Clubs and Leagues should start by reviewing their policies and guidance and updating any references to League/ Club Welfare Officer.
Your understanding and cooperation as to why we think the change is necessary is important to us. We hope you will find this a positive move which reflects a more responsible position to those both within and outside of cricket.
We would appreciate your cooperation in making this a smooth transition throughout the entire network.
England & Wales Cricket Board
25 January 2021