1. Purpose
Hoddesdon Cricket Club is a community-focused, family cricket club committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all members, volunteers, visitors and guests.

As an ECB Clubmark accredited club, we have a responsibility to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk, promote the wellbeing of all members and protect the reputation of the Club.

The Club operates a zero-tolerance approach to the possession, use or supply of illegal drugs on Club premises or whilst representing the Club. This means that any suspected breach will be taken seriously and may result in immediate action to protect members, visitors and the Club. However, the Club distinguishes between
unacceptable conduct and individuals who may require support. Whilst illegal drug use on Club premises will not be tolerated, the Club remains committed to supporting members who engage positively with rehabilitation and appropriate professional help where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

This policy relates specifically to illegal drugs, psychoactive substances and the misuse of prescription medication. Alcohol misuse is managed separately under the Club's Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Policy.

For the purposes of this policy, illegal drugs include controlled drugs and psychoactive substances whose possession, supply or use is unlawful under UK legislation. The policy also applies to the misuse of prescription medication where such misuse creates a risk to individuals or the Club.
At the same time, we recognise that substance dependency is a health issue. Wherever possible, we will seek to support members who are experiencing difficulties with addiction whilst maintaining our responsibility to safeguard others, protect the Club's reputation and uphold the standards expected within the Club.

This policy applies to:

Members
Guests
Volunteers
Coaches & Officials
Parents and spectators
Private hirers and their guests

This policy covers:

Club premises
Cricket matches
Training sessions
Social events
Club transport and any occasion where an individual is acting on behalf of Hoddesdon Cricket Club.

2. Principles
The Club believes that recovery should be encouraged Seeking help for addiction will never, by itself, result in disciplinary action

The Committee will always seek to:
• Protect children and vulnerable adults
• Maintain a safe environment
• Act fairly and consistently
• Treat individuals with dignity and respect
• Encourage members to seek help before problems escalate
• Distinguish between someone seeking support and someone deliberately breaking Club rules
• Promote rehabilitation where it is safe and appropriate to do so

3. Prohibited Conduct
The following behaviour is prohibited:
• Possessing illegal drugs
• Using illegal drugs
• Being under the influence of illegal drugs whilst participating in Club activities
• Supplying, distributing or facilitating access to illegal drugs
• Encouraging or promoting illegal drug use
• Bringing the Club into disrepute through illegal drug-related behaviour whilst representing the Club

The misuse of prescription medication or psychoactive substances may also fall within this policy where it affects the safety or wellbeing of others

4. Incident Categories

Level 1 - Serious Misconduct
Examples include:
• Supplying illegal drugs
• Dealing or trafficking
• Possession with intent to supply
• Encouraging others to use drugs
• Any incident involving a junior member
• Serious criminal offences connected with drugs whilst representing the Club

Typical outcome:
• Immediate suspension pending investigation
• Committee disciplinary hearing
• Police involvement where appropriate
• Permanent expulsion is likely

Level 2 - Major Misconduct
Examples include:
• Using illegal drugs on Club premises
• Possessing illegal drugs on Club premises
• Using drugs whilst representing the Club
• Refusing to cooperate with a Hoddesdon Cricket Club committee investigation

First incident typical outcome:
• Removal from Club premises
• Precautionary suspension pending fact-finding and welfare assessment
• Formal written warning or suspension
• Welfare meeting
• Support offered where appropriate

Repeated incidents will normally result in progressively more serious sanctions, including long-term suspension or expulsion

Level 3 - Welfare Intervention
Examples include:
• Attending or participating in Club activities whilst appearing to be under the influence of illegal drugs
• Concerns raised by another member
• A member voluntarily disclosing a substance misuse problem
• Behaviour suggesting that support may be required

Typical Outcome:
• Welfare discussion
• Safe transport home if necessary
• Temporary removal from activities where safety requires
• Referral to appropriate support services
• Ongoing review with the member

A Level 3 matter will not automatically result in disciplinary action

5. Support
The Club encourages members experiencing problems with drugs or addiction to seek help
Members who voluntarily disclose a substance misuse problem before any breach of this policy has occurred will be treated confidentially wherever possible and offered support through signposting to appropriate external agencies
Seeking help will never, in itself, be considered misconduct
Support may include:
• Confidential welfare discussions
• Signposting to NHS and specialist support services
• Agreed temporary adjustments to Club participation
• Regular review meetings where appropriate

6. Shared Responsibility
Safeguarding and welfare are everyone's responsibility.
Every member, volunteer, parent and visitor has a role to play in helping keep Hoddesdon Cricket Club safe.
Members are encouraged to remain aware of their surroundings and report any behaviour that causes concern to the Club Safeguarding Officer or a member of the Committee.
Members should not attempt to investigate incidents themselves or place themselves at risk.

7. Factors Considered by the Committee
Every incident will be considered individually
When determining any sanction the Committee will consider:
• The seriousness of the incident
• Risk posed to others
• Safeguarding implications
• Whether children were present
• Previous conduct
• Previous breaches of this policy
• Cooperation with the investigation
• Remorse shown
• Willingness to engage with support
• Evidence of rehabilitation
• Any mitigating circumstances

The Committee will always seek to apply sanctions that are fair, proportionate and consistent and will determine matters on the balance of probabilities, taking account of all available evidence

8. Reporting Concerns
Members are encouraged to report concerns confidentially to:
• The Club Chairman
• The Club Secretary
• The Club Safeguarding Officer
• Any Committee Member

Reports made in good faith will be treated confidentially wherever possible

9. Refusal to Cooperate
The Club has no authority to search individuals or their personal property.
Where reasonable concerns exist, an individual may be asked to leave Club premises immediately.
Refusal to cooperate with reasonable requests made in the interests of safeguarding, welfare or safety may itself be considered misconduct and may result in disciplinary action and/or Police being called

10. Safeguarding
Where any incident involves:
• A child
• A young person
• An adult at risk
• An individual in a position of trust

The matter will immediately be referred to the Club Safeguarding Officer and managed in accordance with the ECB Safe Hands guidance

11. Reporting Serious Incidents
The Club will handle all reports, welfare discussions and disciplinary investigations under this policy sensitively and confidentially. However, where criminal offences, safeguarding concerns or serious risks to the safety of others are identified, the Club may report the matter to:
• Police
• ECB
• County Safeguarding Officer
• The Cricket Regulator
• Other relevant governing body
• Other statutory authorities
The Club will cooperate fully with any investigation carried out by those organisations where required

12. Immediate Action

If a person appears to be under the influence of drugs, Cricket Club representatives or volunteers should:
• Remain calm
• Avoid confrontation
• Undertake an immediate dynamic risk assessment
• Remove them from contact with juniors where appropriate
• Ensure they can leave safely
• Contact emergency services if medical assistance is required
• Record the incident
• Inform the Chairman or Safeguarding Officer as soon as reasonably practicable

13. Appeals
Any member subject to disciplinary action under this policy may appeal in writing to the Committee within 14 days of notification.
Wherever reasonably practicable, the appeal will be considered by Committee members who were not involved in the original decision.
The outcome of the appeal will be communicated in writing and shall be final.
14. Review
This policy will be reviewed annually by the Committee or sooner if legislation, ECB guidance or Club circumstances change

Equality Statement
Hoddesdon Cricket Club will apply this policy fairly, consistently and without discrimination. Decisions will be based on the individual circumstances of each case, taking account of safeguarding responsibilities, welfare considerations and the need to protect the wider membership and the reputation of the Club.

July2026