Introduction
Whilst children and young people are participating in golf activities in our care, NLCGA has a responsibility to ensure their safety and wellbeing. The NLCGA recognises the policies of the National Governing Body, as set in out in the “England Golf Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy and Procedures”. The policy and supporting procedures set out a framework to fulfil our commitment to good practice and the protection of children in our care.
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 NLCGA 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.
- The NLCGA is committed to working in partnership with other key UK Golf bodies to continually improve and to promote safeguarding initiatives across the sport.
- The NLCGA owes a legal duty of care to children 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.
Objectives
The NLCGA 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 (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 training, support and resources for 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 county activities and communicate Policy and Procedure to them through website/letter/consents.
Responsibilities and implementation
The NLCGA 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.
- Discussing risk assessments with venues and ensuring that all participants are aware of potential areas of risk, and, that appropriate supervision will be provided for necessary areas.
- Using appropriate recruitment procedures to assess the suitability of volunteers 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 volunteers, parents and children are aware of these procedures.
- Directing volunteers & coaches to appropriate safeguarding training and learning opportunities, where this is appropriate to their role.
1. Recruitment and training
The NLCGA will endeavour to ensure that all volunteers 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) • 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 County Secretary who will also hold copies of the necessary Safeguarding and Protecting Children (SPC) certificates. The nominated person will possess all relevant and appropriate contact details of all volunteers and other relevant bodies. All volunteers will be offered access to appropriate child protection training. The NLCGA recommends attendance at the UK Coaching Safeguarding and Protecting Children (SPC) workshop and will ensure that all volunteers and coaches 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.” NLCGA Safeguarding Policy.Docx Page 5 of 16 amended 12/06/20 It is expected by NLCGA that all coaches will have undertaken the necessary Safeguarding and Protecting Children courses and will be able to provide documentation as required. All volunteers & coaches working with children and young people will be asked to read and become familiar with the NLCGA Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. All volunteers & coaches involved with children and young people will be asked to read the NLCGA 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 the NLCGA’s Disciplinary Procedures. (Codes of Conduct-Appendix 4,5,6) The NLCGA 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. The NLCGA acknowledge the additional vulnerability of some groups of children (e.g. disabled, looked after children, those with communication differences). The NLCGA 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.
Safeguarding Policies
The Full Safeguarding Children and Young People Policies can be found below
NLCGA Safeguarding-Policy-and-Procedures 2025
NLCGA safeguarding Policy 2025
