I.A team providing a scorer under the age of 18, must make sure that there is an individual with the team appointed to be 'in loco parentis', with the opposition team made fully aware who that person is. 

II. It is the responsibility of the home teams club safeguarding officer and Chairperson to ensure the scorers sit in a fixed safe place, away from the access of the public for the protection of both scorers. Movement away from this agreed place must not occur during play. 

III. The fixed safe area must be risk assessed by the home teams CSO and Chairperson, to ensure safeguarding commitments with their club are met. It is the responsibility of the host club to ensure scorers are not put in an area which exposes them to additional pressure or abuse from the public. 

Scorers must be provided a suitable safe space, away from players & spectators. It is the responsibility of all clubs to ensure that scorers are afforded protection from distraction or harassment. Penalties may be applied, under the League Disciplinary process, should scorers be disrupted and prevented from completing their scoring duties. 

In circumstances where either, or both, scorers are under the age of 18, appropriate safeguarding measures must put in place to ensure the protection of both scorers. It is the responsibility of all Club Safeguarding Officers to ensure suitable safeguarding provisions. 

Therefore, in a scorebox or remote scoring location, i.e. not in close proximity and full sight & hearing of others at the ground, there must be a ‘responsible adult’ chaperoning any U18’s, as well as the second scorer. 

Should incidents occur of a Safeguarding nature, these will be escalated to the safeguarding team and dealt with either through Safeguarding channels or the Leagues Disciplinary committee. 

The opposition scorer is never responsible for an U18 scorer, nor should they be left alone with them in a scorebox or remote scoring location. The “Rule of Two” guidance must always be followed when Under 18’s are present. Therefore, in a scorebox or remote scoring location, i.e. not in close proximity and full sight & hearing of others at the ground, there must be a ‘responsible adult’ chaperoning any U18’s, as well as the second scorer. 

Clubs are appointing young people under 18 as scorers and leave them with the opposition scorer in the belief that they will look after them. This is not the case and is not acceptable. 

Clubs appointing under 18 scorers must have a responsible adult acting as ‘in loco parentis’ either at home or when travelling away and when parents or guardians do not accompany the child. 

If you find yourself in a position where an U18 scorer is left alone with you, and you are in a scorebox or remote scoring location then speak to the opposition captain to enquire who is the responsible adult and whether they will be sitting with the youngster. If not, then other arrangements need to be made. This is for your own protection. 

Clubs appointing an U18 scorer should notify the opposition scorer or club in advance and confirm the name of the responsible adult staying with the child. 

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All scorers over the age of 18 must undertake Safeguarding Level Two (SGL2) training. This is a one-hour, interactive, online course with an assessment and can be found at Safeguarding Level Two Once you have completed the assessment then send your certificate to your club Safeguarding officer. This course needs to be taken every 3 years.