Protecting your child...

CHILD PROTECTION  POLICY

POLICY  STATEMENT

The  child  protection legislation defines  a  child  as  any  young  person under  the  age  of 18.

For the purpose of this policy a junior is any young person under the age of 18 on the 1st of January of any year in which the junior is selected to play golf in club matches or takes part in tournaments.

The lead officer for the Club shall be David Senior.

CALDERFIELDS GOLF&COUNTRY CLUB acknowledges its responsibilities in matters relating to the protection of children and is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all children who take part in its events.

The CLUB also expects that those who have contact with children will observe and be guided by the procedures contained in this document.

CALDERFIELDS GOLF&COUNTRY CLUB is committed  to  the  following:

• The right of children to take part in golf events safely. The CLUB will take all reasonable measures to provide and maintain a safe and caring environment.

• Providing a swift and thorough investigation of any allegations of abuse or inappropriate behaviour, including such matters as alleged bullying , harassment, neglect, mistreatment and violence.

• The CLUB undertakes to treat all such allegations seriously and investigate the matter with understanding and sensitivity to all concerned.

• Concerns or allegations should be made directly to the lead officer, whose contact details are shown in the Junior Booklet.

• All members of the Professional Coaches and Volunteers have recourse to the services of the Club should allegations be made against them.

• All who wish to work with children in the care of the Club will be subject to procedures which aim to protect the children. This process will include a CRB check, a Self-Disclosure Form or any other means thought necessary to protect the Children.
• The Club will keep records of personnel.

• The safety and welfare of children relies upon a pro-active partnership between the Executive, Professional Coaches, Volunteers and Parents.

 

PRINCIPLES

• CALDERFIELDS GOLF&COUNTRY CLUB  policy is  based  on the  following principles  :

• The  safety and  well-being of the  children is  central  to  all  considerations.

• The Club has a duty of care to seek to protect children at all Club organised activities. All children can expect that those representing the Club will treat them with respect and dignity.

• The children should have the confidence to rely upon members of the Management of CALDERFIELDS GOLF&COUNTRY CLUB, Golf Management Committee, Professional Coaches and Volunteers and to be able to trust them, whatever the circumstances.

• Parents/Guardians should be informed of the Club policies and understand and appreciate the Club’s Child Protection Policies and Procedures.

• They have the right to be informed of any matter which may impinge upon the welfare of their child.

• All those working with children are expected to set a good example to the children in their charge.

 

POLICIES  IN  PRACTICE

Responsibilities  of the  Management of the Golf Club, Management Committee Members, the  Juniors Section,  Professional  Coaches  and  Volunteers.

They are  expected  :

• To take their responsibilities seriously, knowing that the welfare of children and their protection from harm is the paramount concern.

• To be  conscious  of the  fact  that  adults  are  role  models  for  the  children in their  care.

• They are required to set high standards in such matters as behaviour, attitude, appearance, fairness, moderation, organisation and punctuality.

• To treat all children fairly and equally.

• This should hold true no matter what the child’s age, culture, ability or disability, language or racial origin.

• To build  a  sound  working relationship  with the  children based  on  mutual  respect  and  trust.

• To inform parents of any matters relating to their children’s welfare either directly or through the Lead Officer.

• To report to the Lead Officer, Club Management any instance of alleged ‘poor practice’ or inappropriate physical contact or abuse. The facts arising will be recorded on an Incident Report Form. Depending on the circumstances of the allegation, the Lead Officer / Club Management will investigate; refer the matter to an appropriate agency. Confidentiality will be observed at every stage.

• All  who  have  contact  with children should  seek to  ensure  that  their  behaviour  cannot  be  compromised.

• To ensure  that  as  far  as  is  reasonable,  no  child  is  placed  in danger  or  potential  harm.

• Events should be organised with safety in mind and the children should be kept informed of any safety procedures, risks or hazards on the course.

• To avoid situations where there is possibility of misinterpretation of any physical contact or behaviour. Contact with children should generally be in an open environment, especially for example, whilst waiting for parents to arrive to pick up their child.

• No  child  should  be  left  alone  or  be  left  to  make  his  own  way home.

• Parents/Guardians are wholly responsible in all cases for travel arrangements but this may include a private arrangement for transportation by a third party which may be an Official of the Club. The Club accepts no liability in this whatsoever.

• To ensure that any child who suffers accidental injury or temporary illness at any event organised by the CALDERFIELDS GOLF&COUNTRY CLUB is treated by a person competent and qualified to do so.

• If no qualified person is immediately available, the criterion is to respond to that situation by using common sense, as would a caring parent or guardian, until professional help arrives.

• The matter should be recorded on an Accident Report Form and passed on to the Lead Officer. Parents must be informed of the action taken or is intended to be taken.

 

Responsibilities  of Children / Junior  Golfers.

All  junior  golfers  representing  CALDERFIELDS GOLF&COUNTRY CLUB or  competing in  Club organised  events  shall  :

• Observe the highest standards of behaviour, appearance, punctuality, attitude, restraint, moderation and sportsmanship on and off the course.

• Alcohol, performance enhancing substances, smoking, sexual behaviour and foul language are forbidden.

• Junior golfers are expected to act with courtesy and consideration at  all  times.

• Not engage in any irresponsible, inappropriate or  illegal  behaviour.

• Play by the Royal and  Ancient’s  Rules  of Golf and  Etiquette  of golf.

• Observe  the  finer  courtesies  of  the  game.

• Observe instructions or restrictions requested by appropriate members of the Management of the Golf Club, Management Committee, the Juniors Committee,  Professional  Coaches  and  Volunteers. In the event of any disagreement, dispute or problem, junior golfers should consult the Lead Officer, the Management of the Club or any Golf Club Committee Member, rather than seeking to resolve the matter themselves.

• Remain on the premises – golf course, clubhouse or hotel – unless given specific permission by an appropriate Club official.

 

Responsibilities  of Parents  /  Guardians

Parents / Guardians  should  :

• Know the  Club’s  policies  and  procedures  regarding child  protection.

• Seek to support the Club’s officials in creating and maintaining a safe and amenable environment for children in which to enjoy their golf at a competitive level.

• They should be familiar with the system in place for the protection of their child and have the opportunity to raise any matters which may give rise to concern.

• Complete the Junior Player Profile Form and  the  Match Consent  Forms.

• Signify that they accept the conditions of the Clubs’s procedures relating to their child’s participation in an event.

• Occasionally, for training, coaching or publicity purposes, junior golfers may be photographed or videoed.

• Parents/guardians who do not wish for their child to be photographed / videoed for these purposes should inform the Club on the Junior Player Consent Form.

• Arrange  transport  for  their  child  to  arrive  punctually at  a  match,  tournament  or  coaching session.

• Encourage and foster the right spirit of fair competitive play in their child without pressurising him to play beyond his physical, mental and emotional capabilities.

• Children are not robots and should be treated as vulnerable young adults – no matter how confident they appear on the surface.

• Coaching is  best  left  to  the  professionals.

 

CONCLUDING  REMARKS

It is to be understood that these procedures are guidelines for the protection of all who participate in events organised by CALDERFIELDS GOLF&COUNTRY CLUB.

The procedures will  be  reviewed  on a  regular  basis.

However, not all circumstances may be covered in this working document.

It is important to recognise that while every effort will be made to ensure the well-being of every child, things can go wrong, by accident or human error.

Although CALDERFIELDS GOLF&COUNTRY CLUB Committee organise the Junior Leagues, members of the Committee will not be in attendance at League matches. Consequently the Club does not accept any responsibility for the conduct of these matches.

 

CALDERFIELDS GOLF&COUNTRY CLUB Committee would remind Clubs and Organisers of Matches to be aware of rules with regard to supervision. Under Health and Safety provisions it is essential that the home club provides an adult (21+) supervisor for all matches. Junior of participating clubs are reminded that they are solely responsible for the conduct of the matches in which their team is involved and that they must ensure that they have regard to their responsibilities for child protection.

Any problems that arise in the course of an event will be dealt with thoroughly, carefully investigated and the appropriate agencies contacted where necessary.

At every stage parents / guardians will  be  kept  informed.

If any problem cannot be resolved within CALDERFIELDS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, recourse may be had to the E.G.U. Lead Protection Officer, the Regional Development Officer, Social Services, Police or the N.S.P.C.C.  Helpline  –  0800 800 5000.