Juniors - child protection policy

(as in “Guidelines for Safeguarding Children in Golf” 1st March 2008)

Porters Park Golf Club has considered its responsibilities to the children participating in golf at our premises and within our club very carefully, and therefore has produced the following child protection policy and accompanying procedures in order to set out the standards we wish to uphold in running activities for children and in safeguarding the welfare of young people in our care.

Porters Park Golf Club affiliates to the English Golf Union and the English Women’s Golf Association and our professional coaching staff are all members of the Professional Golfers’ Association, therefore the club recognises the policies of these governing bodies, as set in out in the “Guidelines for Safeguarding Children in Golf” resource Pack.

Policy statement

Porters Park Golf Club acknowledges its duty of care to safeguard the welfare of all children (defined as those under 18) involved in golf within the club. All children have a right to protection, and have their particular needs taken into account. Porters Park Golf Club will therefore endeavour to ensure the safety and protection of all children involved with the club through the Child Protection guidelines adopted by the Management Committee of the club. It is the responsibility of all adults within the club to assist the Management Committee in achieving this endeavour.

Policy aims

To provide children with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of Porters Park Golf Club, and also enjoy their experience of the sport
To reassure parents that their children will receive the best care possible whilst participating in activities with Porters Park Golf Club
To provide support to staff and volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues and to fulfil their role effectively

Principles

The welfare of children is paramount

All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, ethnic origin and religious beliefs have the right to protection from abuse

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

All staff and volunteers working in sport 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
Porters Park Golf Club will work in partnership with parents to review and implement child protection and welfare procedures

Porters Park Golf Club’s policy and procedures are based on the above principles and UK and international legislation and government guidance and take the following into consideration:

The Children Act 1989 & 2004
The Protection of Children Act 1999
The Police Act 1997
The Criminal and Court Services Act 2000
The Human Rights Act 1998
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
The Data Protection Act 1994 & 1998
What to do if you are worried a child is being abused 2005
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006
Caring for the young and vulnerable – Home Office Guidance for preventing the abuse of trust 1999

Types of abuse

Somebody may abuse or neglect a young person by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Young people may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger.

Neglect – where adults fail to meet a young person’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the young person’s health or development (e.g. failure to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a young person from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.) It may also include refusal to give young people love, affection and attention.

Physical abuse – where someone physically hurts or injures a young person by hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, biting, or scalding, suffocating, drowning or otherwise causing physical harm to a young person.

Sexual abuse – where girls and boys are abused by adults or other young people (both male and female) who use young people to meet their own sexual needs. This could include full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse and fondling. Showing young people pornographic material (books, videos, pictures) is also a form of sexual abuse.

Emotional abuse – is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a young person such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the young person’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to young people that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on young people. It may involve causing young people to feel frightened or in danger by being constantly shouted at, threatened or taunted which may make the young person very nervous and withdrawn. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill treatment of a young people.

The above definitions are adapted from Department of Health (1999) Working Together to Safeguard Children – A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children

Bullying

Bullying can be psychological, verbal, or physical in nature. It involves an imbalance of power in, where the powerful attack the powerless, and occurs over time, rather than being a single act. Both adults and children can bully others. Examples of bullying behaviour can include:

A parent who pushes too hard
A coach who adopts a win-at-all costs philosophy
An official who places unfair pressure on a person
Being called names or being verbally abused
Being deliberately embarrassed and humiliated in front of others
Being made to feel different or like an outsider
Being lied about
Being physically assaulted or threatened with violence
Being ignored

When to be concerned about young children

It can be difficult to recognise when a child is being abused, but there are some signs, that often occur in clusters. These include:

Unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns, particularly if situated on a part of the body not normally prone to such injuries
An injury for which the explanation seems inconsistent
The young person describes what appears to be an abusive act involving him/her
Someone else expresses concern about the welfare of a young person
Unexplained changes in behaviour (e.g. becoming very quiet, withdrawn or displaying sudden outbursts of temper)
Inappropriate sexual awareness
Engaging in sexually explicit behaviour
Distrust of adults, particularly those with whom a close relationship would normally be expected
Difficulty in making friends
Being prevented from socialising with other young people
Displaying variations in eating patterns including overeating or loss of appetite
Loss of weight for no apparent reason
The young person becoming increasingly dirty or unkempt

Responsibilities & communication

The Porters Park Golf Club’s Child Protection Policy will be available to all members, parents, staff, volunteers and participants.

The Policy will be reviewed every three years by the Management Committee, and amended as appropriate. Guidance from golf’s governing bodies will be sought as part of the review process.

The Management Committee 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.

Contacts

Porters Park Golf Club Office - 01923 854127

Peter Marshall, Golf Club Child Welfare Officer - 01923 854127

Colin Murray, Chair of Juniors - 01923 854127

NSPCC Helpline - 0808 800 5000

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