At Stockport Lacrosse Club, the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people is our highest priority.

We follow all England Lacrosse (EL) Safeguarding Policies, Procedures and Best Practice Guidance, including:

• Safeguarding & Protecting Young People Policy

• Best Practice Guidance (2023)

• Recognising Poor Practice Guidance (2023)

• Reporting Concerns procedures

• Communication, imagery, and data protection guidance

• Policies regarding young people participating in adult lacrosse
  
  

Our aim is to ensure:

• A safe, inclusive environment

• Clear reporting pathways

• Transparent safeguarding processes

• Responsible communication

• Proper supervision

• Trained and DBS-checked volunteers

• Strong partnership between players, parents, coaches and the club
  
  

If you are ever concerned or unsure about anything relating to welfare or safeguarding:
👉 You must report it immediately👈

1. Act immediately

Concerns may include:

• Safety worries

• Behaviour concerns

• Inappropriate language or conduct

• Bullying (in person or online)

• Disclosures or hints that something is wrong

• Worrying communication or social media behaviour

• A “gut feeling” that something isn’t right

You do not need to decide whether it is abuse or poor practice — only to report it.

2. Contact the Club Welfare Officers

👉 Wording updated exactly in line with Vicky’s note.

You can:

• Contact the Welfare Officer directly, or…

• Email the Welfare officers using the club welfare email address below.  

📧 [PLACEHOLDER – welfare email / or general club email?]
Please insert the correct Welfare Officer email if Paul created one.
If no dedicated welfare address exists, use:
📧 stockportlacrosseclub@gmail.com
(This must be managed so only Welfare Officers access safeguarding messages.)

3. If the concern involves a Welfare Officer, OR you feel unable to speak to the club

Contact England Lacrosse Safeguarding Team:

📧 safeguarding@englandlacrosse.co.uk
📞 07546 614756
📞 07729 720149

4. If someone is in immediate danger

📞 Call 999 immediately.

What Happens Next

• Your concern is reviewed privately by a Welfare Officer.

• Appropriate action is taken based on England Lacrosse guidance.

• EL may be consulted for serious or complex cases.

• All concerns are logged securely under GDPR.

• Safeguarding measures and support plans are implemented if necessary.

How safeguarding works at Stockport Lacrosse:

1. Coaches & Team Managers

• Observe, support and safeguard players

• Complete required safeguarding training

• Hold enhanced DBS checks

• Report concerns directly to the Welfare Officers

2. Welfare Officers (Primary Route)

• First point of contact

• Lead all safeguarding processes

• Follow EL reporting and escalation procedures

• Support players, parents and coaches
  
  

3. Committee

• Ensures the club meets EL safeguarding standards

• Supports policy implementation and compliance

• Does not handle safeguarding concerns unless required procedurally
  
  

4. England Lacrosse (Escalation Route)

• Independent safeguarding support

• Oversees serious or complex cases

• Works with statutory agencies where necessary
  
  

5. Emergency Services

• If a child is at immediate risk of harm, call 999

These outline:

Player expectations:

• Play fairly and respectfully

• Listen to coaches

• Respect officials

• Be a good teammate

• Follow rules and safety instructions
  
  

Parent & spectator expectations:

• Support all players positively

• Respect officials and coaches

• Do not shout instructions from the sidelines

• Model good behaviour for young people

• Challenge unacceptable behaviour appropriately

See our downloads or the posters at the bottom of the page for more information

• Stockport Safeguarding Process (PDF/Word)
  
  

• EL Safeguarding Policy
  
  

• EL Best Practice (2023)
  
  

• EL Recognising Poor Practice (2023)
  
  

• Codes of Conduct (players)

• Code of Conduct (spectators) 

• DBS Guidance
  
  

• EL Reporting Procedures

Welfare Contact (Confidential)

📧 [PLACEHOLDER: welfare email]
 

England Lacrosse Safeguarding Team

📧 safeguarding@englandlacrosse.co.uk
📞 07546 614756
📞 07729 720149

Emergency Services

📞 999
(If a young person is in immediate danger)

Additional Support

Report Concern via Post

For out-of-hours advice and guidance you can contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 / help@nspcc.org.uk or the Child Protection in Sport Unit on 0116 366 5590 / cpsu@nspcc.org.uk.

The Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) offer various e-resources and videos on what to do if you have any concerns about a child in sport. You can access their Keeping Children Safe in Sport Campaign animation here, visit their parent’s hub, or explore their free e-learning course here. You can also find a video guide from the NSPCC on how to respond to a disclosure or allegation of abuse by clicking here.