Safeguarding Information
Hitchin Netball Club is fully committed to the safety, welfare, and wellbeing of all our members. We follow England Netball’s Safeguarding Policies and guidance and strive to provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for everyone involved in our Club.
This page should be read alongside our Safeguarding Policy Statement, which sets out our formal safeguarding principles, responsibilities, and procedures.
You can view our Safeguarding Policy Statement and England Netball’s full safeguarding guidance by clicking the buttons below.
Mary Hartley Club
Safeguarding Officer
Sophie Baverstock
Deputy Safeguarding Officer
Our Safeguarding Team is trained to respond to concerns sensitively and confidentially. If you have a safeguarding concern, please contact us immediately.
We treat all safeguarding concerns sensitively and only share information with those who need to know in order to keep people safe.
Urgent concerns: If someone is in immediate danger or at risk of serious harm, call 999.
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding is about protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, neglect, and unsafe behaviour, while ensuring everyone can participate safely and enjoyably.
➡️ If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always okay to tell someone.
Examples of safeguarding concerns include:
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Bullying or harassment
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Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
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Neglect or unsafe practices
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Discrimination or exclusion
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Online abuse or inappropriate communication
Training & Commitment
Our Club Safeguarding Officers and coaching team complete the UK Coaching Safeguarding & Protecting Children training.
We are committed to:
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Providing inclusive and safe participation for all members
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Maintaining high safeguarding standards
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Reviewing our policies annually to reflect best practice
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Head Injuries & Concussion
Hitchin Netball Club takes head injuries and suspected concussion extremely seriously. Any player with a suspected head injury will be immediately removed from activity and will not return to play the same day.
The following document provides advice and guidance for parents/carers:
Head Injury Advice for Parents & Carers (HIAS):
Support for Children, Young People & Families
In addition to contacting our Club Safeguarding Team, the following organisations can provide advice and support.
Safeguarding Support
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NSPCC – Call 0808 800 5000
Advice and support for anyone concerned about a child.
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Childline – Call 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk
Free, confidential support for children and young people.
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Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership – Call 0300 123 4043
For concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person.
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England Netball Safeguarding Team – Email besafe@englandnetball.co.uk | Call 07595 863991
Safeguarding advice and support relating to netball.
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NSPCC – Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) – https://thecpsu.org.uk/
Safeguarding advice and resources specifically for sport.
Wellbeing & Mental Health
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NHS – Call 111
Health and mental health advice when you need help but it is not an emergency.
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YoungMinds – www.youngminds.org.uk
Mental health support for children and young people.
In an Emergency
Call 999 immediately if someone is in immediate danger or at risk of serious harm.
External organisations are independent of Hitchin Netball Club. Links open in a new tab.