Introduction

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.

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.
• The Manchester & District Ladies’ Golf Association (herein after referred to as M&DLGA) will work with children, their parents/carers and external organisations to safeguard the welfare of children participating in golf.
• Every club has in place its own Children and Young People Safeguarding Procedure & Policies.
• Therefore, any club wishing to enter a junior player into any of the M&DLGA’s organised competitions must first & foremost adhere to their club’s procedures regarding junior players playing in M&DLGA competitions and involving transport to venues.

Objectives

The overall aim of the M&DLGA is to ensure that everyone participating in their organised golf competitions do so in a safe environment that supports children and young people to meet their potential.

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 already be encouraged as part of their home 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/junior players involved.
• Clubs/playing partners must notify the M&DLGA if a junior member of their club is entering one of our competitions.
• Parents’ written consent must be provided to the M&DLGA before or on the day of the competition if a junior player is to play with an adult.

Transport

The M&DLGA believes it is primarily the responsibility of parents/carers to transport their child/children/junior player to and from our competitions.
If the person providing the transport isn’t a parent, then if it’s a one off they don’t need a DBS, they just complete a self-declaration form which should be available from their home club.

Photography & Videoing

• The club fielding a junior player must seek permission from parents prior to the publication of, or use of, photographic images of their junior player, for instance in newspapers or on the M&DLGA’s web site following success in a competition.
• The personal details of the junior player will not be used in any promotional material unless written consent from the parents/carer is obtained.
• Any press/official photographers attending events will be required to seek permission from the host club before taking photographs and also permission of parents to use the images.

Changing Rooms

• The changing rooms of host clubs are used by all members & visitors.
• When juniors are attending any of the M&DLGA’s competitions, the home club should make parents aware that adults will be using 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.

Responsibilities & Implementation

The M&DLGA will seek to promote the principles of safeguarding children & young people by:

• Putting in place a named welfare officer for the Bell Cup.
• Providing details of the Welfare Officer at each club hosting an M&DLGA competition.
• 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 all M&DLGA’s organised competitions with regard to safeguarding at host clubs and take appropriate action to address the identified issues within suitable timescales.