Coaches, team managers and authorised helpers (i.e. coaches, etc.) should be sensitive to any concerns about abuse and act on them at an early stage. They should also offer appropriate support to those who report concerns.

The following are examples of care that should be taken when dealing with colts:

* Always be publicly open when working with children. Avoid situations where you are working completely unobserved;

* Wherever possible, parents should take on the responsibility for their children in the changing rooms. If groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms, always ensure coaches, etc work in pairs. Encourage an open environment (i.e. no secrets);

* Where there are mixed teams, a male and female coach/helper should always accompany them;

* If any form of manual support is required, it should be provided openly and according to guidelines provided by the ECB. Care is needed, as it is difficult to maintain hand positions when the child is constantly moving.

Parents views should always be obtained in advance;

* If you accidentally hurt a child, if he/she seems distressed in any manner, or if he/she appears to be sexually aroused by your actions, report the incident immediately to another colleague. You should also make a brief written note of the incident and ensure that the parents are informed;

* Do not spend excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others;

* Never take children alone on car journeys, however short, except with the express consent of the parents or team manager;

* Never take children to your home where they will be alone with you;

* Never engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay;

* Never share a room with a child;

* Never allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching;

* Never allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged;

* Never make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun;

* Never do things of a personal nature for children they can do for themselves;

* Never allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon.

The first responses to child abuse are crucial, regardless of how knowledge of the abuse arises. Often children will be frightened, confused and feeling vulnerable. Listen carefully to the child. He/she should be reassured in a calm manner that they are safe, and have done the right thing by telling.

* keep calm and reassure the child or whoever discloses;

* listen carefully to any disclosures;

* emphasise that any claims are being taken seriously;

* say that it will be necessary to involve someone else, to ensure that the abuse stops;

* take accurate, factual notes (e.g. names, times, dates and places, details of any visible injuries and a description of the allegation);

* report the incident or allegation to the Colts Manager, or the Director of Cricket, or the Chairman.

* panic;

* make judgements;

* agree to keep secrets;