OFGC Children’s Safeguarding Policy

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Ormonde Fields Golf Club has considered its responsibilities to the children participating in golf at our premises and within our club very carefully, and has produced the following Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and underpinning procedures in order to set out the standards we wish to uphold in providing activities for children and safeguarding the welfare of children in our care.

 

Everyone working with children and young people has a responsibility for keeping them safe, irrespective of their role, whether they are paid members of staff or volunteers.

 

Ormonde Fields is committed to ensure that the sport of golf is one within which all participants can thrive in a safe environment and that all children and young people have an enjoyable and positive experience when playing golf.

 

Ormonde Fields also recognises its obligations towards older members “vulnerable adults” and this is recognised in a separate policy document.

 

KEY PRINCIPLES

 

         The welfare of children is paramount.

 

         A child is defined by law in England and Wales as a person under the age of 18 years.

 

• All children, regardless of their Age, Race, Religion or Belief, Disability, Gender identity or Sexual Orientation, have the right to protection from abuse.

 

         All concerns and allegations of abuse and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

 

         All children have the right to be safe.

 

         All children have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

 

         Ormonde Fields will work with children, their parents/carers and external organisations to safeguard the welfare of children participating in golf.

         We recognise the authority of the statutory agencies and are committed to complying with Local Safeguarding Children Board Guidelines (LSCB), Working Together under the:

            Children Act 2004, and any legislation and statutory guidance which supersedes these.

The Data Protection Act 1994 & 1998 and GDPR Regulations 2019

The Police Act 1997

The Human Rights Act 1998

The Protection of Children Act 1999

Caring for the young and vulnerable - Home Office Guidance for preventing the abuse of trust 1999

The Criminal and Court Services Act 2000

What to do if you are worried a child is being abused 2005

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010)

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

 

         OFGC is committed to working in partnership with other key UK Golf Bodies to continually improve and to promote safeguarding initiatives across the sport.

 

         The Club and other golf bodies have a legal duty of care to children on their premises or engaged in their activities. That duty is to take reasonable care to ensure their reasonable safety and the duty is higher than it would be for adults. This policy does not imply that Ormonde Fields Golf Club assumes any of those legal liabilities, which remain with the relevant golf bodies.

 


                    All staff and volunteers working in golf have a responsibility to report concerns to the Club Welfare Officer. Adults staff, volunteers, coaches, referees and members will be supported to understand their role and responsibility with regard to the duty of care and protection of children and young people. Individuals will receive support through education and training to be aware of and understand best practice and how to manage any welfare or child protection issues that may come to light. Ormonde Fields will work in partnership with parents to review and implement child protection and welfare procedures of the Golf Club’s policy and procedures.

 

OBJECTIVES

The overall aim of the policy is to ensure that everyone participating in the sport of golf does so in a safe environment that supports children and young people to meet their potential.


 

Ormonde Fields aims to work with golf bodies to:

 

         Provide a safe environment for children and young people participating in golfing activities and try to ensure that they enjoy the experience.

 

          Ensure robust systems are in place to manage any concerns or allegations.

 

         Support adults (staff, volunteers, PGA Professionals, coaches, members and visitors) to understand their roles and responsibilities with regard to their Duty of Care and protection of children.

 

         Provide appropriate level training, support and resources for staff, volunteers & coaches to make informed and confident responses to specific safeguarding issues and fulfil their role effectively.

 

         Ensure that children and their parents/carers are informed and consulted and, where appropriate, fully involved in decisions that affect them.

 

          Reassure parents and carers that all children and young people will receive the best care possible whilst participating in club activities and communicate Policy and Procedure to them through website/letter/consents.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPLEMENTATION

 

Ormonde Fields will work to promote the principles of safeguarding children by:

 

         Reviewing England Golf policy and procedures every three years or whenever there is a major change in legislation.  These changes will be incorporated into the club’s own policies and procedures.  Guidance will be sought from England Golf SafeGolf partnership and other relevant bodies.

         Giving guidance on appropriate recruitment procedures to assess the suitability of volunteers and staff working with children and vulnerable groups.

         Following procedures to report welfare concerns and allegations about the behaviour of adults and ensure that all staff, volunteers, parents and participants, including children, are aware of these procedures.

         Directing staff, volunteers & coaches to appropriate safeguarding training and learning opportunities, where this is appropriate to their role.

 

·            The Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy will be available to all members, parents, staff, volunteers and participants.

 

·            The Club Board has responsibility for ensuring that the policy and procedures are implemented, including taking any appropriate disciplinary action necessary.

 

·            The Club Welfare Officer has responsibility for responding to any allegations, concerns or child protection incidents, passing information to the appropriate National Governing Body Lead Child Protection Officer and informing the appropriate club staff.

 

·                Parents have a responsibility to work together with the club in implementing procedures and providing their children with the necessary information to safeguard themselves.

 

                Ormonde Fields is a member of the SafeGolf Strategy Group which consists of members from the golfing bodies across Great Britain and has been set up to help golf respond to the issue of child protection in sport.

 

 

OFGC January 2020