Bowls Safeguarding Adults Policy

A Quick Reference Guide

References in italics to the full policy. 

Policy Aim

The Bowls Development Alliance (BDA) and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) are committed to ensuring all adults can participate in bowls safely, free from abuse, harm, or neglect.

Policy Statement, Legislation & Government Guidance, Definitions, pages 3-6

 

Who is an Adult at Risk?

Someone aged 18+ who:

• Has care and support needs
• Is experiencing or at risk of abuse/neglect
• Cannot protect themselves due to those needs

, Adults at risk, page 5

 

Key Principles (Care Act 2014)

• Empowerment – Support people to make their own decisions
• Prevention – Act before harm occurs
• Proportionality – Respond appropriately to risk
• Protection – Support those at risk
• Partnership – Work with other agencies
• Accountability – Be transparent and responsible

Principles of adult safeguarding, pages 6-7

 

Types of Abuse

• Physical – hitting, misuse of medication
• Sexual – assault, inappropriate touching
• Emotional/Psychological – threats, coercion, bullying
• Financial – theft, fraud, exploitation
• Domestic Abuse – controlling or coercive behaviour
• Discriminatory – abuse based on identity
• Neglect/Self-Neglect – failure to meet basic needs
• Organisational – poor practice in care settings
• Modern Slavery – exploitation, trafficking

Abuse and neglect, pages 8-10

 

Signs of Abuse

• Unexplained injuries
• Sudden behavioural changes or withdrawal
• Poor hygiene or appearance
• Fear of specific individuals
• Missing money or belongings
• Not attending sessions / disengagement
• Disclosure (person tells you directly)

Abuse and neglect, pages 10-11

 

Your Responsibilities

Everyone in bowls must:

• Stay alert to concerns
• Take all concerns seriously
• Report concerns promptly
• Never investigate yourself

Making safeguarding personal, Mental capacity and safeguarding, Safeguarding responsibilities in bowls, pages 11-14

 

If Someone Discloses Abuse

DO:                                                                   DON’T:

• Stay calm and listen* Promise secrecy
• Take it seriously* Ask leading Questions
• Record in their own words* Make assumptions
• Ask open questions* Investigate
• Reassure them

What to do and how to react, page 20

 

Reporting Concerns

1. Report to your Club Safeguarding Officer

1. If unavailable/implicated ? contact County or NGB Lead Safeguarding Officer
2. Emergency ? Police (999)
3. Non-emergency ? Police (101)

You can report without full details.

Dealing with concerns, disclosures or allegations, pages 19-22

 

Key Rule

   It is your responsibility to report concerns, NOT to decide if abuse has occurred.

 

Mental Capacity

• Adults have the right to make their own decisions
• Lack of capacity ? decisions must be made in their best interests
• Always involve the person where possible

Mental capacity and safeguarding, page 12

 

Good Practice in Bowls

• Follow codes of conduct
• Ensure safe recruitment and training
• Promote an open, listening culture

Safe recruitment in bowls, pages 17 Good coaching practice pages 16-17, Safe and fair membership, page 18

 

Confidentiality & Information Sharing

• Share only with those who need to know
• You can share without consent if:

o    Someone is at immediate risk o       A crime may have occurred o       Others are at risk

Dealing with concerns, disclosures or allegations, reporting a concern, responding to a concern, pages 19-20

 

 

Support & Advice

• Speak to your Safeguarding Officer
• Ann Craft Trust helpline: 0115 951 5400
• Emergency services if immediate danger

Information sharing, good practice guides, Linked policies, Support lines, pages 23-26

 

Remember

If you have concern or receive a disclosure - Doing nothing is not an option

• ?Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
• ?Report concerns – don’t ignore them
• ?Act quickly to keep people safe

                                              Bowls Safeguarding Adults Policy

  

                 

 

 

Policy Owner: Bowls Development Alliance (BDA)

Policy approved by: BDA 

Date Policy approved: 6^th May 2026 

Next review Date: 6^th May 2027 

 

 

       

 

 

    

        

 

 

 

 

The Bowls Development Alliance (BDA) and the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of bowls are committed to Safeguarding Adults in line with national legislation and relevant national and local guidelines.

The BDA, as the umbrella organisation for the development of the sport of bowls, works with all the NGBs of bowls to provide a framework of policies and procedures which help ensure a safe environment for everyone playing the sport.

For the purposes of this policy and related procedures, the bowls family comprises: the

Bowls Development Alliance, the National Governing Bodies (Bowls England, British

Crown Green Bowling Association, English Bowling Federation, English Indoor Bowling Association, English Short Mat Bowling Association), players, coaches, umpires/officials, and supporters.  

Together we will safeguard adults by ensuring that our activities are delivered in a way which keeps all adults safe. We will ensure that everyone who participates in bowls can do so in a safe, positive, and enjoyable environment.  

 

 

The BDA and Bowls NGBs believe everyone has the right to live free from abuse or neglect regardless of age, ability or disability, sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender identity. We are committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment and an open, listening culture where people feel able to share concerns without fear of retribution.  

 

The BDA and NGBs are committed to creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm to adults which necessitates: the recognition of adults who may be at risk and the circumstances which may increase risk; knowing how adult abuse, exploitation, or neglect manifests itself; and being willing to report safeguarding concerns.

All participants are entitled to feel safe and protected from any form of abuse and neglect.  

The BDA and Bowls NGBs acknowledge that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility and are committed to preventing abuse and neglect by protecting the welfare of all adults involved in bowls.  

 

Physical and mental health, wellbeing, disability and care and support needs may affect a person’s ability to protect themselves. We recognise that some people may face barriers to reporting concerns or seeking help, including communication barriers and these factors can change at various stages of a person’s life.  

  

The BDA and Bowls NGBs recognise that there is a legal framework within which sports need to work to safeguard adults who have needs for care and support and for protecting those who are unable to take action to protect themselves and will act in accordance with the relevant safeguarding adult legislation and with local statutory safeguarding procedures.  

Actions taken by the BDA and Bowls NGBs will be consistent with the principles of adult safeguarding- empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership, and accountability.  

 

Safeguarding adults across the UK is rooted by international human rights principles including the rights of disabled people and older people.  

Key legislation that underpins this safeguarding policy includes:  

 

Prevent duty guidance: England and Wales (2023) - GOV.UK The Prevent Duty forms part of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy and is introduced under the Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015.

 

The duty requires certain public authorities, including local authorities, education providers, health services, and police, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

 

 

A wide range of criminal and civil legislation may apply where abuse or neglect has occurred.

 

For example, legislation dealing with:  

 

Safeguarding legislation also includes provisions relating to the vetting and barring of individuals who may be unsuitable to work with adults with care and support needs, under the safeguarding framework administered by the Disclosure and Barring Service - GOV.UK

Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides a legal framework for making decisions on behalf of adults who may lack the mental capacity to make specific decisions for themselves.

The Act also establishes offences relating to the wilful neglect or ill-treatment of individuals who lack mental capacity, including situations where abuse is carried out by a person responsible for their care.  

 

 

An adult at risk is an individual aged 18 years and over who:

 

Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) AND is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect, AND as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

 

 

Adult safeguarding legislation creates specific responsibilities for Local Authorities, Health Authorities, and the Police to provide additional protection to adults at risk from abuse and neglect.  

 

If they believe there is an adult at risk, they have a responsibility to find out more about the situation and decide what actions need to be taken to support the adult. The Local Authority role includes multi-agency procedures which coordinate the actions taken by different organisations.

 

In bowls we may need to take action to safeguard an adult; for example, to use the safeguarding disciplinary procedures in relation to a member of staff or volunteer who has been reported to be harming a participant in our sport.  

 

 

For the purposes of this safeguarding policy, the bowling environment refers to any setting in which bowling-related activities take place or where members of the bowls community are gathered. This includes, but is not limited to, all formal and informal activities, venues, and occasions connected to the sport of bowls.

A bowling environment therefore includes:

This definition applies regardless of the time, location, or level of formality, where there is a reasonable connection to bowling activities or membership of the bowls organisation.

 

For the purposes of this safeguarding policy, participants refer to any individual or organisation involved in, attending, or connected to bowling activities.

This includes, but is not limited to:

A participant is therefore any person or organisation that is present within, contributes to, or   has a role or responsibility in the bowling environment, whether on a temporary or ongoing basis.

 

  

Safeguarding adults is defined in Care and Support Statutory Guidance as:  

 

Protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It involves people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, whilst also promoting the adult’s wellbeing.  

 

This includes where appropriate, taking into account the persons views, wishes, feelings, and beliefs when deciding on any action.  

Safeguarding practice must also recognise that adults may have complex personal circumstances and relationships, and may sometimes be uncertain, ambivalent, or unrealistic about their situation.

 

 

 

The Bowls Development Alliance (BDA) and Bowls National Governing Bodies (NGBs) are committed to applying the six key principles of adult safeguarding set out in the Care Act 2014. These principles underpin all safeguarding work and should inform the actions of everyone involved in bowls.

 

 

Adults are supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and give informed consent. Safeguarding responses should be person-centred and led by the views, wishes, and preferences of the adult wherever possible.

 

 

It is better to take action before harm occurs. The BDA and Bowls NGBs will promote awareness, training, and safe practices to reduce the risk of abuse or neglect within bowls activities.

 

 

Safeguarding responses should be the least intrusive and most appropriate to the level of risk presented. Actions taken should be balanced and proportionate to the concerns raised.

 

 

Adults who are experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect should be offered appropriate support and protection. The BDA and Bowls NGBs will work to ensure that individuals are supported and safeguarded where concerns arise.

 

 

Safeguarding is most effective when organisations work together. The BDA and Bowls NGBs will work in partnership with local authorities, police, health services and other relevant agencies to prevent, detect and respond to abuse and neglect.

 

 

There should be clear roles and responsibilities for safeguarding. The BDA and Bowls NGBs will ensure that safeguarding decisions and actions are transparent and accountable.

 

It is important to be aware of what constitutes abuse. Abuse is a form of maltreatment and may involve a single act or repeated acts It may occur through deliberate actions or through a failure to act.

The categories of abuse outlined below are identified in the Care Act 2014 and apply in England. There are some slight variations in terminology in the other home nations of the United Kingdom.  

Abuse can occur in a range of settings, including in a person’s home, within the community, in institutional settings, or in sport and leisure environments. Abuse may be carried out by people known to the individual or by strangers. Individuals in positions of trust, such as relatives, community leaders, teachers, coaches or volunteers, can also be perpetrators of abuse.

Types of Abuse 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic abuse includes patterns of behaviour such as:

 

 

Discriminatory abuse includes harassment or unequal treatment because of:

 

Self-neglect refers to behaviour that threatens a person’s own health or wellbeing, including:

 

Organisational abuse refers to neglect or poor care practice within an organisation or care setting such as a hospital, care home, or community organisation. It may result from inadequate policies, procedures, or professional practice.

 

Adults may also experience other forms of abuse identified in separate legislation including:

Radicalisation – where individuals or groups attempt to recruit or influence people including adults at risk into extremist ideologies. They seek to sow division between communities based on race, faith, or denomination; justify discrimination towards women and girls; persuade others that minorities are inferior; or argue against the primacy of democracy and the rule of law in our society.  

 

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) - a form of violence against women. FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for nonmedical reasons. This is illegal in England and Wales under the FGM Act 2003.  

 

Forced Marriage - a forced marriage is a marriage in which one or both spouses do not (or, in the case of some adults with learning or physical disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and duress is involved. Duress can include physical, psychological, financial, sexual, and emotional pressure. It is different to an arranged marriage where the families of both spouses take a leading role in arranging the marriage but the choice whether or not to accept the arrangement remains with the prospective spouses. Forced marriage is illegal in the UK.

  

Honour based abuse - a broad umbrella term used to describe a combination of practices used principally to control and punish the behaviour of a member of a family or social group, in order to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs in the name of ‘honour.’  

 

Hazing - any activity expected of someone in joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them regardless of a person's willingness to participate.  

 

 

 

Abuse can occur within a sporting environment and be perpetrated by participants, coaches, officials, volunteers, or spectators. The Bowls Development Alliance (BDA) and Bowls National Governing Bodies (NGBs) recognise that abuse can take many forms and may involve misuse of power, authority, or trust.

 

Examples of abuse within sport may include:

  

 

Such behaviours may constitute physical, emotional, psychological, discriminatory, or sexual abuse and should always be reported and addressed appropriately.

 

 

 

Abuse or neglect may also occur outside the sporting environment. While it may not take place during bowls activities, concerns about an adult’s welfare should still be reported and acted upon in line with safeguarding procedures.

 

Abuse outside sport could be carried out by:   

 

  

In many cases the perpetrator is known to the adult and may be in a position of trust authority or power.  

 

Adult abuse and neglect can manifest itself in a variety of signs. These signs may not always be obvious, and a single indicator does not necessarily mean abuse is occurring. However, a combination of indicators or a sudden change in behaviour should be treated as a potential concern.

 

Common signs may include:  

  

The Bowls Development Alliance (BDA) and Bowls National Governing Bodies (NGBs) recognise that adults make choices that may involve risks to their own wellbeing. For example:

 

 

There are often multiple ways to reduce or prevent harm. By working with the adult, we can ensure that actions taken are appropriate to their circumstances and respect their preferences. This approach also promotes self-worth, dignity, and helps recovery from abuse.

 

  

If an adult has difficulty making their views and wishes known, they can be supported or represented by an advocate. This might be a trusted family member or friend of their choice or a professional advocate (usually from a third sector organisation).  

 

Advocates help ensure that the adult’s voice is heard, and that their choices and outcomes guide the safeguarding response.

 

  

  

Understanding mental capacity is essential when safeguarding adults. Mental capacity refers to a person’s ability to make specific decisions for themselves. It is a key consideration when supporting adults to stay safe and make choices about their own lives.

 

 

 

 

If an adult finds it difficult to make decisions and there is a concern they are being abused or neglected:

 

 

 

There may be circumstances where a bowls club or organisation must act quickly to protect an adult who cannot make a decision for themselves. In such situations, appropriate actions could include:

 

 

All decisions should be proportionate, documented, and made in the best interests of the adult while respecting their dignity and rights.  

 

 

Safeguarding adults at risk is everyone’s responsibility. All organisations involved in bowls – from clubs to National Governing Bodies – must ensure they have procedures and protocols in place to fulful their safeguarding duty of care.  

 

 

•     At least one identified lead safeguarding practitioner who can advise and support others when a safeguarding concern arises.

 

• A culture where disclosures of abuse are taken seriously, listened to, and acted upon appropriately.

 

•     Safe recruitment practices for individuals whom the organisation will permit to work regularly with adults at risk, including policies on when to obtain a criminal record (DBS) check.

 

•     Clear expectations for all participants, staff, and volunteers, highlighting the importance of safeguarding and the organisation’s zero-tolerance approach to abuse.

 

 Accessible procedures for raising concerns about poor practice or safeguarding issues.

 

• Clear policies for dealing with allegations against people who work with adults at risk.

 

 

• Appropriate supervision and support for staff and volunteers including undertaking safeguarding training.

 

   

 

Within the sport of bowls, specific organisations and individuals have defined safeguarding responsibilities. These roles ensure that safeguarding arrangements are implemented consistently across the sport.

 

The BDA, working together with the bowls NGB’s has developed these guidelines on behalf of the sport of bowls. All of the NGB’s have adopted this policy and associated procedures.  The BDA works to:  

 

Each National Governing Body (NGB) must ensure that everyone is protected and kept safe whilst participating in the sport of bowls.  

They will:  

 

County Associations have direct responsibility for the welfare of individuals involved in bowls activities organised by the county with support from their National Governing Body.  

They should:  

 

All recognised affiliated clubs must ensure they have safeguarding procedures in place to protect everyone involved in the sport of bowls.

Whilst the ESMBA do not affiliate clubs the expectation remains that those ESMBA clubs still follow the below guidelines.

Clubs should:  

 

Club and County Safeguarding Officers should play a key role in promoting good safeguarding practice and ensuring that concerns are reported appropriately.

Club and County Safeguarding Officers should:

 

Club Safeguarding Officers are not responsible for determining the outcome or seriousness of a concern; their role is to record and report all safeguarding concerns promptly to the County Safeguarding Officer and/or the NGB Lead Safeguarding Officer, as appropriate. County Safeguarding Officers must, in turn, report all concerns to the NGB Lead Safeguarding Officer to ensure appropriate oversight, consistency, and escalation where required.

 

 

As individuals in positions of trust, coaches are responsible for protecting adults from harm, abuse, and neglect, and for promoting their safety and wellbeing at all times they can be the first to recognise and raise concerns.  

Safeguarding awareness is included within Level 1 and Level 2 coaching qualifications, and coaches are strongly encouraged to undertake additional safeguarding training provided through Coach Bowls Safeguarding Officer Training | Coach Bowls or similar.

Joint guidance was produced by sports coach UK and the Child Protection in Sport Unit in 2010 outlining best practice guidelines for coaches.  

It stressed the need for ratios for coaches to participants (generally 1:8). This will minimise any risks to participants and enhance the benefits they draw from the activity.  

Coaches should never be left alone with an individual or group and it is recommended that at least one adult present is the same gender as the bowler or group of bowlers.  

Physical contact should be avoided in coaching. A responsible coach should only use physical contact if the aim is to: develop sports skills or techniques, treat an injury, prevent an injury or accident from occurring or meet the requirements of the sport. They should explain the reason for the physical contact, reinforcing the teaching or coaching skill. Unless the situation is an emergency, the coach should ask the player for permission.  

The Coach should hold an appropriate qualification, comply with minimum age requirements, have relevant insurance cover, and have read and this Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy, the Safeguarding Children Policy plus the following policies of their NGB:   

 

Safer recruitment is an essential part of creating a safe and positive environment and demonstrating a commitment to safeguard all participants from harm. Bowls clubs and organisations must use safer recruitment practices and continually assess the suitability of staff and volunteers to prevent unsuitable individuals from working within the sport.

Safer recruitment should be an ongoing process of improvement for any club or organisation whose activities involve contact with children or adults at risk. The Ann Craft Trust provides clear guidance on safer recruitment.  

Ensuring that staff and volunteers recruited are safe and suitable to work with adults at risk and children involves several stages within the recruitment process, including:

 

A DBS check is not typically required for staff or volunteers working with adults. However, in certain circumstances it may be appropriate.  

The Ann Craft Trust provides a helpful flowchart which clubs, county associations and

NGBs should use in deciding if this should be done. Guidance for DBS Checks in Sport -

Working with Adults (England and Wales) - Ann Craft Trust

Bowls clubs and County Associations should promote a safe culture through their membership procedure.   

Clubs must ensure that their membership application process is robust, comprehensive, and designed to support effective safeguarding practices. Application forms should collect full and accurate personal details, including date of birth, contact information, and next of kin, to enable appropriate communication and emergency response where necessary.

In addition, applicants should be required to provide references and complete a selfdeclaration section, allowing the club to identify any potential risks or concerns at an early stage. 

It is also essential that any relevant medical conditions are disclosed so that the club can take reasonable steps to support the health, safety, and wellbeing of all members. This thorough approach helps create a safer environment and demonstrates the club’s commitment to safeguarding.

Safeguarding concerns may arise in relationship to the membership or proposed membership of individuals with criminal records, unspent convictions, or ongoing police investigations/court proceedings- particularly in relation to financial, sexual, or violent offences.  

In such cases Club or County Safeguarding Officers must speak to their NGB Lead Safeguarding Officer or the BDA Safeguarding Manager straight away for further advice and guidance. Membership may be still appropriate, but a risk assessment must be conducted to determine whether participation is safe.  

Clubs and County Associations should keep in mind the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act when making membership decisions if applicable Rehabilitation Periods - GOV.UK  

Where concerns arise, a temporary suspension may be issued to members and individuals looking to join a bowls club or play bowls while a risk assessment is conducted.  

 

Abuse can and does occur in a variety of situations, including sport or other social activities. Most adults at risk are abused by someone known to them, either within or outside of the bowls context. Concerns may arise from something an individual says or from observations of behaviour that raise safeguarding issues. These concerns may relate to:

It is essential that those involved in bowls remain vigilant and take appropriate action when concerns arise.

 

If an adult discloses a situation affecting themselves and requests that it not be taken further, the Club Safeguarding Officer can consult the NGB Lead Safeguarding Officer, or BDA safeguarding manager without providing identifying details.

Not all concerns about an adult relate to abuse. Some relate to poor practice or minor issues that can be managed internally by the club using its disciplinary processes. The NGB can help a club decide what is appropriate. However, recording and monitoring lower-level concerns is important, as patterns of thoughtless or inappropriate behaviour may escalate to higher-level risks over time if unchecked.

All information regarding any safeguarding concern must be treated in the strictest of confidence and only shared with individuals in designated safeguarding roles.

Safeguarding Officers may need to seek advice from or report to statutory agencies, such as Adult Social Care or the Police. Non-emergency calls to the police should use 101; emergencies require 999.

If you are unable to speak to your Club/County Safeguarding Officer or your NGB Lead Safeguarding Officer,  The Ann Craft Trust Helpline (0115 951 5400 https://www.anncrafttrust.org/help-advice/ ) can be contacted for advice.  

The adult themselves can be directed to appropriate helplines listed in appendix 4.  

For further information see Appendix A of this document and to submit a concern either phone or email your Club/County Safeguarding Officer or complete the reporting form by following this link Safeguarding - Bowls Development Alliance

 

To maintain the integrity of the sport of bowls, it is essential that all organisations apply consistent procedures when handling disclosures made by an adult that disclosure may relate to something that has happened to them or allegations made against another individual.

This consistency is particularly important because individuals may participate, coach, or officiate across multiple codes, and uniform procedures help ensure safeguarding concerns are managed fairly, safely, and effectively across the sport.

If an adult talks about a concern or abuse to a club or organisation member, the club member should:

The NGB(s) Case Management Group or BDA Case Management Group (depending

on the level of concern) will assess whether it is appropriate for the person to return to working/volunteering/participating and how this will be managed.  

They will assess on a case-by-case basis any support needed for the person about whom the allegations have been made.  

An independent person may be appointed to give this support.  

APPENDIX A: PROCESS MAP – REPORTING A CONCERN  

 

APPENDIX B: Information Sharing  

All sports organisations must comply with the Data Protection Act (DPA) and the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Information about concerns of abuse includes personal data. It is therefore important to be clear as to the grounds for processing and sharing information about concerns of abuse.  

Processing information includes record keeping. Records relating to safeguarding concerns must be accurate and relevant. They must be stored confidentially with access only to those with a need to know.

Sharing information, with the right people, is central to good practice in safeguarding adults at risk. However, information sharing must only ever be with those with a ‘need to know.’ This does NOT automatically include the persons spouse, partner, adult, child, unpaid or paid carer.  

Information should only be shared with family and friends and/or carers with the consent of the adult or if the adult does not have capacity to make that decision and family/ friends/ carers need to know in order to help keep the person safe.

Information may be shared without consent if:

• Someone is at serious risk of harm.
• A crime may have been committed.
• Others may be at risk.
• The person is being coerced or under duress.

  This is allowed because data protection law does not prevent sharing safeguarding information when necessary to protect people. 

  Data protection legislation allows information sharing within an organisation. For example:  

• Anyone who has a concern about harm can make a report to an appropriate person within the same organisation.
• Case management meetings can take place to agree to co-ordinate actions by the organisation.

When information is shared without the consent of the adult this must be explained to them, when it is safe to do so, and any further actions should still fully include them.  

If you are in doubt as to whether to share information, seek advice from your Club/County Safeguarding Officer or your NGB Lead Safeguarding Officer. Explain the situation without giving personal details about the person at risk or the person causing harm.  

Any decision to share or not to share information with an external person or organisation must be recorded together with the reasons to share or not share information.  

The Bowls Development Alliance is participating in the Sport England Case Management Project which means they may occasionally need to share anonymised case management data with Sport Resolution & the National Safeguarding Panel so they can support and advise on specific cases.

 

Appendix C – Good Practice Guides to promote Safeguarding in Bowls  

  

Topic	BDA Template / Guideline number
Physical Contact	8-Physical-Contact-in-Bowls.pdf
Managing Challenging Behaviour	7-Managing-Challenging-Behaviour.pdf
Travelling and Staying Away	5-Travelling-and-Staying-Away-Guidance.pdf
Code of Conduct	V2-General-Code-of-Conduct-in-Bowls.pdf
Safeguarding Resources from the BDA	https://bowlsdevelopmentalliance.com/safeguarding/resources

 

 

   

                   

 

Appendix D – Linked Policies

 

 

 

 

Topic	BDA Document Location
Whistle Blowing	3-Whistleblowing-Guidelines.pdf (bowlsdevelopmentalliance.com)
Anti-Bullying Policy	Anti-Bullying-Policy.pdf (bowlsdevelopmentalliance.com)
Complaints and Appeals	Complaints Procedure - Bowls Development Alliance
Regulations in relation to safeguarding disciplinary issues	Under construction
Safeguarding Children Policy	Resources - Bowls Development Alliance
Safe and Fair Membership	Under construction
Data Protection - Information Sharing - Privacy	Privacy Policy - Bowls Development Alliance
Safe Recruitment	2-Safe-Recruitment-Guidelines-.pdf (bowlsdevelopmentalliance.com)
Equality	Equality Policy - Bowls Development Alliance

  

              

 

 

 

Appendix E – Support lines  

 

  

Support Organisation	Topic(s)	Contact Details
Action on Elder Abuse	Aims to prevent the abuse of older people	020 8765 7000 enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk
Ann Craft Trust	Adult Safeguarding (plus safeguarding children)	0115 951 5400 Ann-Craft- Trust@nottingham.ac.uk
Anti - Bullying Alliance	Support with bullying issues	aba@ncb.org.uk
ASSIST	Support for families who have experienced trauma	01788 551919 assisttraumacare.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau	Free information and advice on legal and other problems	08001448848 citizensadvice.org.uk/
Karma Nirvana	Support and advice re honour-based abuse and forced marriage	0800 5999 247 karmanirvana.org.uk
LGBT Foundation	Support for LGBTQ+ issues	https://lgbt.foundation/ 0345 3 30 30 30
Men’s Advice Line	For males living with /survivors of domestic abuse	https://mensadviceline.org.uk/ 0808 801 0327
NACRO	Advice on working with those with criminal convictions	0300 123 1889 https://www.nacro.org.uk/
Rape Crisis	Information for survivors of sexual violence and their friends and family	rapecrisis.org.uk 0808 500 2222
Respond	Support for victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse who have learning disabilities	020 7383 0700 https://respond.org.uk/
Samaritans	An organisation providing volunteers to listen when people need help	Freephone 116 123 www.samaritans.org
Stonewall	Information and support for LGBTQ+ communities	https://www.stonewall.org.uk/
Stop Hate Crime	Challenges all forms of hate crime and discrimination	0800 138 1625 https://www.stophateuk.org
Suzy Lamplugh Trust	Leading authority on personal safety.	0207 091 0014 https://www.suzylamplugh.org
Victim Support	Support for those who have suffered the effects of a crime.	0808 168 9111 https://www.victimsupport.org.uk
Women’s Aid Federation	National domestic violence charity	01236 730992

  

              

 Key abbreviations found in this document  

             

ACT            Ann Craft Trust - Leading UK Authority on Safeguarding  

ASC            Adult Social Care  

BDA            Bowls Development Alliance  

BCGBA  British Crown Green Bowls Association  

BE              Bowls England  

CMG           Case Management Group  

DBS           Disclosure & Barring Service (formally known as CRB)  

EBF            English Bowling Federation  

EIBA           English Indoor Bowling Association Ltd  

ESMBA  English Short Mat Bowling Association  

GDPR        General Data Protection Regulation  

LADO         Local Authority Designated Officer  

MASH        Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub  

NACRO   National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders  

  NGB         National Governing Body  

NSPCC    National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children  

  SO            Safeguarding Officer (NGBs, Counties and clubs)  

   

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

Version 1  

First Approved:	December 2021
Last reviewed:	May 2026
Date of next review:	May 2027

  

Review History  

	Date of Review	Comments
December 2021		Version 1 created and approved for use
November 2023		Reviewed
May 2025		Reviewed
May 2026		Version 2 created

                         

Revision History  

Version	Change Log	Date
1	New policy created to separate policies for children and adults	December 2021
2	Policy Updated	May 2026