Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club
Children and Young People
Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
Contents
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Procedures: |
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1. Recruitment and training |
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2. Complaints, concerns and allegations |
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3. Flow Charts |
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4. Emergencies and incidents |
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5. Supervision |
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6. Good Practice Guidelines |
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7. Useful Contacts |
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Supporting Documents |
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1. Volunteer/Staff Job Application form |
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2. Self-disclosure |
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3. References |
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4. Code of Conduct for coaches and volunteers |
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5. Code of Conduct for Young Golfers |
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6. Code of Conduct for Parents/Carers |
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7. Managing Challenging Behaviour |
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8. Incident Report Form |
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9. Accident Report Form |
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10.Junior Profile and Parental Consent Forms |
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11.Photography Consent |
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12.Parental Guidance |
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13.Managing Young People on Away Trips |
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14.Social Media Guidance |
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15.Whistleblowing Policy |
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16.England Golf DBS Flowchart |
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17.Categories of Child Abuse |
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18.Club Welfare Officer Poster |
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19.Safeguarding Children and Young People – a short guide for club members |
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20.Photography Policy |
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21.Anti-Bullying Policy |
Children
and Young People Safeguarding Policy
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.
England Golf 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.
· 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.
· Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club 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 that supersedes these.
· Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club is committed
to working in partnership with other key UK Golf Bodies to continually improve
and to promote safeguarding initiatives across the sport.
· Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club owes 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.
Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club aims 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,
· Provide appropriate level training,
support and resources for staff, volunteers & coaches to make informed and
confident responses to specific safeguarding issues and fulfill 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.
· Ensure that all members of the Club
are aware that they have a part to play in this. Appendix 19 Information for Club
Members
Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club will seek to promote the principles of safeguarding children by:
· Reviewing their policy and procedures every three years or whenever there is a major change in legislation. Guidance from England Golf will be sought as part of the review process.
· Conducting a risk assessment of club activities with regard to safeguarding and take appropriate action to address the identified issues within suitable timescales.
· Using appropriate recruitment procedures to assess the suitability of volunteers and staff working with children and young people in line with guidance from England Golf.
· Following National Governing Body (NGB) procedures to report concerns and allegations about the behaviour of adults and ensuring that all staff, volunteers, parents and children are aware of these procedures.
· Directing staff, volunteers & coaches to appropriate safeguarding training and learning opportunities, where this is appropriate to their role.
Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club will endeavour to ensure that all volunteers and staff working with children and young people are appropriate and suitable to do so, and that they have all the information they require to undertake their job effectively and appropriately.
Each role which involves an element of responsibility with regard to children, particularly those involving the regular supervision of children, whether voluntary or paid, should be assessed by the recruiting body to establish which qualifications, checks and other requirements are necessary. These will include the following:
· An application form (Appendix 1)
· A self-disclosure form (Appendix 2)
· References from 2 people (Appendix 3)
· A signed Code of Conduct (Appendix 4 Staff Coaches & Volunteers Appendix 5 Young Golfers Appendix 6 Patents/Carers)
· A
Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check on people involved in ‘regulated
activity’ with children (Guidance on Regulated
Activity & DBS - Appendix 16)
Details of the requirements and the qualifications and checks of individuals will be recorded by the Club Welfare Officer who will also hold copies of the necessary Safeguarding and Protecting Children (SPC) certificates. The Club Welfare Officer will possess all relevant and appropriate contact details of all staff / volunteers and other relevant bodies.
All staff, volunteers & coaches will be offered access to appropriate child protection training. Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club recommends attendance at the UK Coaching Safeguarding and Protecting Children (SPC) workshop and will ensure that all volunteers and staff who have significant contact with children attend. An online UK Coaching refresher course should be completed and repeated every three years for those involved in “Regulated Activity.”
All staff, volunteers & coaches working with children and young people will be asked to read and become familiar with Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
All staff, volunteers & coaches involved with children
and young people will be asked to read Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club Code of
Conduct relevant to their role, and sign to indicate their understanding and
agreement to act in accordance with the code. The code is linked to Dunstanburgh
Castle Golf Club’s Disciplinary Procedures. (Codes of Conduct- see above)
They will be made aware of the categories of child abuse to
look out for. (Categories of Child Abuse
– Appendix 17)
Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club are committed to the fact that every child and participant in golf should be afforded the right to thrive through being involved in sporting activity for life, in an enjoyable, safe environment, and be protected from harm. Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club acknowledge the additional vulnerability of some groups of children (e.g. disabled, looked after children, those with communication differences). Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club will ensure that the environment is appropriate for the child and tailored to their needs so that they have a positive experience of their sport without risk of harm.
2.1
If
a player, parent/carer, member of staff or volunteer has a concern about the
welfare of a child, or the conduct of another child/young person or an adult
(whether they are a parent, coach, member, or otherwise), these concerns should
be brought to the attention of the Club Welfare Officer without delay. The
person reporting the concern is not required to decide whether abuse has
occurred, but simply has a duty to pass their concerns and any relevant
information to the Welfare Officer. Please refer to Flowcharts 1 & 2 for
further details (see below).
2.2
All
concerns will be treated in confidence. Details should only be shared on a
“need to know” basis with those who can help with the management of the
concern.
2.3
Concerns
will be recorded on an Incident Report Form and sent to the England Golf Lead
Safeguarding Officer and retained confidentially within the club. The England
Golf Lead Safeguarding Officer can assist with completion of this form if
required, tel: 01526 351824. (Incident Report Form-Appendix 8)
2.4
Dunstanburgh
Castle Golf Club will work with England Golf and other external agencies to
take appropriate action where concerns relate to potential abuse or serious
poor practice. Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club disciplinary procedures will be
applied and followed where possible.
2.5
In
the event of a child making a disclosure of any type of abuse, the following
guidance is given:
· Reassure them that they have done the right thing to share the information
· Listen carefully
· Do not make promises that cannot be kept, such as promising not to tell anyone else
· Do not seek to actively question the child or lead them in any way to disclose more information than they are comfortably able to: this may compromise any future action. Only ask questions to clarify your understanding where needed e.g. can you tell me what you mean by the word XXXX?
· Record what the child has said as soon as possible on an incident report form.
· You should explain to children, young people and families at the outset, openly and honestly, what and how information will, or could be shared and why, and seek their agreement.
· Parents or Carers should be informed if the allegation does not involve them.
2.6
The
NSPCC Helpline is available to discuss concerns regarding poor practice and
abuse in confidence with members of the public who need support. Those with
concerns are encouraged to use this service. The Helpline number is 0808 800
5000.
2.7
Safeguarding
children and young people requires everyone to be committed to the highest
possible standards of openness, integrity and accountability. Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club supports an
environment where staff, volunteers, parents/carers and the public are
encouraged to raise safeguarding and child protection concerns. Anyone who reported a legitimate concern to
the organisation (even if their concerns subsequently appear to be unfounded)
will be supported. All concerns will be
taken seriously. (Whistleblowing Policy-Appendix 15)
What to do if you are worried about what is
happening to a child outside of the Club (but the concern is identified through
the child’s involvement in golf)
If the child requires urgent medical
attention call an ambulance and inform the hospital doctor that you have a
child protection concern Report your concern to the Club Welfare Officer* who will if necessary
refer the matter to Children’s Social Care/Police without delay. Make a record of everything that the
child has said and /or what has been observed with dates and times, using
the Incident Report Form. If the Club Welfare Officer is not available contact the England Golf Lead Safeguarding
Officer, tel :01526 351824 Email : safeguarding@englandgolf.org or refer the matter directly to Children’s Social Care/Police. Remember - delay may place
the child at further risk. Complete a report form and
copy it to Children’s Social Care/Police and to the England Golf Governance
Department within 24 hours.
Concern identified
about a child
* If for any reason a Club Welfare Officer is not
in post or is unavailable a principle of least delay is important.
Please contact the
England Golf Lead Safeguarding Officer
01526 351824
What to do if you
are worried about the behaviour of any member, parent/carer, volunteer, staff,
Professional, coach or official in golf or affiliated organisations
Concerns
identified
If the child requires immediate medical
attention, call an ambulance and inform the doctor there is a child
protection concern.
PGA
4.1
Parental
Consent Forms will be obtained and retained by Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club for
all children who are participating in events or activities, or attending
coaching organised by the club. These forms will be treated in confidence and
only shared with those who require the information they contain to perform
their role effectively. (Junior Profile and Parental Consent
Forms-Appendix 10)
4.2
In
the event of a child requiring medical attention:
· The parents will be contacted immediately.
· In the event of failure to contact parents, the alternative emergency contacts will be used.
· The consent form will be consulted to establish whether parents have given their consent for a club representative to act in loco parentis.
· An appropriate adult club representative will accompany the child to seek medical attention, if appropriate, ensuring that they take the consent form with them.
· A record of the action taken will be made and retained by a club representative on the Accident Report Form – Appendix 9
4.3 Where a parent is late in collecting their child the following procedure will apply:
· Attempt to contact the parent/carer using the contact details on the Parental Consent Form
· Attempt to contact the first, then the second emergency contact nominated on the Consent Form
· Wait with the young person(s) at the venue with, wherever possible, other staff/volunteers or parents.
· If no one is reachable, contact the Club’s Welfare Officer for advice.
· If all attempts to make contact fail, consideration should be given to contacting the police for their advice.
· Staff, volunteers and coaches should try to avoid:
· Taking the child home or to another location without consent.
· Asking the child to wait in a vehicle or the club with them alone.
· Sending the child home with another person without permission.
5.1 During coaching sessions, coaches should conduct a risk assessment to inform decision making about appropriate supervision levels. Regardless of the recommended ratio of adults to participants, it is recommended that a minimum of two adults should be present. This ensures at least basic cover in the event of something impacting on the availability of one of the adults during the activity.
5.2 Parents may be encouraged to stay for coaching/competitions & other events where their children are of an age where greater levels of parental supervision are required.
5.3 Wherever possible adults will avoid changing or showering at the same time as children but parents will be made aware that with limited changing room space there will be occasions when adults and children may need to share the facilities.
5.4 Parents should be aware that if children are left at a venue unsupervised, other than to attend specific coaching sessions, competitions, or other organised events, the club cannot accept supervisory responsibility.
5.5
Special arrangements will be made for away
trips. Parents will receive full information about arrangements for any such
trip and will be required to provide their consent for their child’s
participation. (Managing
Young People on Away Trips-Appendix 13)
6.1
Behaviour of adults and children
6.1.1 Adults who work with children are placed in a position of trust in relation to children, and therefore it is important they behave appropriately and provide a strong positive role model for children, both to protect children and those working with children from false allegations of poor practice. Codes of conduct will be issued to junior members & adults working with them to promote good practice.
6.1.2 Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club requires that all staff and volunteers working with children and young people adhere to the standards set out in the Code of Conduct relevant to their role. Similarly, children are expected to follow their own Code of Conduct to ensure the enjoyment of all participants and assist the club in ensuring their welfare is safeguarded.
6.1.3 Dunstanburgh
Castle Golf Club requires that all staff and volunteers working with children
adhere to the guidelines on Managing Challenging Behaviour. (Managing Challenging
Behaviour-Appendix 7).
6.1.4 Parents
and carers should also work together with the club to ensure that the welfare
of all children is safeguarded. A sheet on “Parental Guidance” is provided to
assist them in understanding how they can best assist the club (Parental Guidance-Appendix 12)
6.2
Adults and Children playing golf together
One of the reasons for the popularity of golf is that the game is not
restricted by ability, age or gender. Responsible interaction between adults
and children helps bring mutual respect and understanding and will be
encouraged as part of club activities. Adults should always be aware however
that age related differences do exist and conduct themselves in a manner that
both recognises this and prioritises the welfare of any children involved.
6.3
Physical Contact
Physical contact with children by coaches or volunteers should always be
intended to meet the needs of the child and the sport, not the adult. That is,
to develop golf technique, to protect the child from injury, to provide first
aid or treat an injury. It should always take place in an open environment, and
should not, as a general principle, be made gratuitously or unnecessarily.
6.4
Transport
6.4.1 The club believes it is primarily the responsibility of parents/carers to transport their child/children to and from events. It is not the responsibility of club volunteers or coaches to transport children and young people to and from events, activities, tournaments or matches.
6.4.2 The club may make arrangements for transport in exceptional circumstances, such as team events. Where this is the case, the written permission of the parents of the relevant children will be sought. The drivers used will be checked for their suitability to transport and supervise children (see Section 1 Recruitment and Training) and their insurance arrangements verified.
6.4.3 Children and young people are often involved in competition. When taking young people away from their home club, consideration and planning needs to be paramount to ensure the duty of care for the young people within the team is fulfilled.
6.5
Photography/ Videoing
6.5.1 Permission
will be sought from parents prior to the publication or use of any video or
photographic images of their child, for instance in newspapers, websites or for
coaching purposes. The personal details of the child will not be used in any
promotional material. (Photography
Consent-Appendix 11)
6.5.2 Any press/official photographers attending events will be required to seek permission from the club before taking photographs and also permission of parents to use the images. (Photography Policy – Appendix 20)
6.6
Social Media
Social media provides unique opportunities for the club to engage and develop
relationships with people in a creative and dynamic forum where users are
active participants. It is important
that all staff, volunteers, coaches, officials/referees, board members, or
anyone working on behalf of the club are aware of the club Social Media policy (Social Media Guidance–Appendix
14)
6.7
Anti-Bullying Procedures
6.7.1 We believe that every effort must be made to eradicate bullying in all its forms. Bullying can be difficult to define and can take many forms which can be categorised as;
· Physical – hitting, kicking, theft
· Verbal – homophobic or racist remarks, threats, name calling
· Emotional – isolating an individual from activities or a group
All forms of bullying include;
· Deliberate hostility & aggression towards an individual(s)
· A victim who is weaker and less powerful than the bully or bullies
· An outcome which is always painful & distressing for the victim
Bullying behaviour may also include;
· Other forms of violence
· Sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing
· Tormenting, ridiculing, humiliation
· Racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
· Unwanted physical contact or abusive or offensive comments of a sexual nature.
The Club and its Staff, Volunteers & Coaches will not tolerate bullying in any of its forms during club matches, competitions, coaching or at any other time while at the club. (Anti-Bullying Policy -Appendix 21)
6.7.2 We will:
· Provide a point of contact where those being bullied can report their concerns in confidence – The Club Welfare Officer.
· Take the problem seriously.
· Investigate any and all incidents and accusations of bullying.
· Talk to bullies and their victims separately along with their parents/carers.
· Impose sanctions where appropriate
· Keep a written record of all incidents referred to England Golf and the action taken.
· Have discussions about bullying and why it matters.
6.8
Confidentiality
6.8.1 Details
of all juniors will be kept on file in the office and will not be shared with a
third party without parent/carer consent.
6.8.2 All concerns/allegations will be dealt with confidentially by the club and information will only be shared on a need to know basis, either internally or externally depending on the nature/seriousness of the concern/allegation.
6.9
Changing rooms
The changing rooms are used by all members & visitors. Juniors will only be supervised if needed at
club organised events. Parents will be made aware that adults use the changing
rooms throughout the day for changing & showering. Where a parent/carer
does not consent to their child accessing the changing rooms, it is their
responsibility to either supervise the child while in the changing rooms or
ensure that they do not use them.
Golf
Contacts |
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Name |
Address |
Number |
Club Welfare Officer – DAVID JACKSON |
1 Long Row |
Mob: 07879681753 Email: david@quest-advisers.co.uk |
England Golf Lead Safeguarding Officer |
England Golf |
01526 351824 |
Club Secretary – DAVID JACKSON |
As above |
As above |
Local
Contacts |
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Northumberland
County Council Children’s Social Care |
01670 536400 |
OUT OF HOURS |
Samaritans |
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08457 90 90 90 |
Local Police child
protection teams |
Northumbria Police Child Abuse Investigation Unit |
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NSPCC Freephone |
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0808 800 5000 |
NSPCC
Whistleblowing Helpline for Professionals |
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0808 028 0285 |
National
Contacts |
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The NSPCC |
National Centre |
Tel: 0808
800 5000 |
Childline UK |
Freepost 1111 |
Tel: 0800 1111 |
NI Childline |
74 Duke Street |
Tel: 028 90 327773 |
NSPCC Child Protection
in Sport Unit |
3 Gilmour Close |
Tel: 0116 234 7278 |