Safeguarding & Child Protection

Last updated: 4 July 2026. This policy is under adoption by the KCC board; the named contacts below are to be confirmed before final publication.

Our commitment

Kempen Cricket Club VZW is committed to protecting the welfare of all children and young people who take part in our activities. We believe no child should ever experience abuse or harm, and we will act at all times in their best interests. This commitment applies to every coach, volunteer, official, parent and member.

Our principles

• The welfare of the child always comes first.
• All children, whatever their age, background, ability, gender, or nationality, have the right to protection from harm.
• We listen to children and take any concern they raise seriously.
• Everyone who works with our juniors is recruited safely, is suitable for the role, and understands and follows this policy.
• Concerns are acted on promptly and appropriately.

Safe coaching and conduct

Coaches and volunteers working with juniors are expected to follow our code of conduct: treating young people with respect, avoiding being alone one-to-one with a child where possible, using positive encouragement rather than criticism, and never using physical punishment or any form of bullying, humiliation, or discrimination. Adults in a position of trust must maintain appropriate boundaries at all times.

Safe recruitment

Anyone coaching or regularly supervising juniors is recruited with care. In Belgium this includes providing an extract from the criminal record for activities involving minors (uittreksel uit het strafregister — model 596.2 / "model 2"), alongside references and an understanding of this policy. Volunteers are supported and never work with juniors before these checks are complete.

Photography and images of children

We are careful about images of children. Photos of a child are only ever taken or stored with the explicit consent of a parent or guardian, and never where a parent has asked us not to. Our online membership system does not require a photo of any junior, and stores a child's photo only where a parent has separately consented. For full detail on how we handle personal data, see our Privacy Policy.

Raising a concern

If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child at the club — whether it involves a coach, volunteer, another member, or something happening outside the club — please tell us. You can speak in confidence to our Club Safeguarding Officer.

If a concern is raised

We take every concern seriously and handle it sensitively and confidentially, sharing information only with those who need to know to keep the child safe. Where appropriate, we will involve the relevant authorities. We will never ignore a disclosure or discourage someone from raising a concern.

Review

This policy will be reviewed at least once a year and whenever there is a significant change at the club or in the law. It works alongside our club rules and code of conduct.