Adult Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

Lexden Wood Golf Club is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment for all individuals involved in golf.

Safeguarding duties apply to an adult who:

• Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs); and
• Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
• As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect.

Principles in relation to adults at risk

The Care and Support Statutory Guidance Section 14.13 sets out the following six key principles which underpin all adult safeguarding work:

Wherever possible, discuss safeguarding concerns with the adult to get their view of what they would like to happen and keep them involved in the safeguarding process, seeking their consent to share information outside of the organisation where necessary.

The principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) state that every individual has the right to make their own decisions and provides the framework for this to happen.

In addition Lexden Wood Golf Club recognises the following principles:

• It is every adult's right to be protected from abuse irrespective of their age, gender identity, faith or religion, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, background, economic position, marital status, disability or level of ability.
• All staff and volunteers share the responsibility for the protection of adults at risk and will show respect and understanding for their rights, safety and welfare.
• The additional vulnerability of disabled adults (including those with invisible disabilities, learning and communication differences) is recognised.
• Allegations of abuse or concerns about the welfare of any adult will be treated seriously and will be responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• Lexden Wood Golf Club recognises the role and responsibilities of the statutory agencies in safeguarding adults and is committed to complying with the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Adults Boards.
• Confidentiality will be maintained appropriately at all times and the adult's safety and welfare must be the overriding consideration when making decisions on whether or not to share information about them.
• All participants involved in golfing activities have the right to be listened to with respect and to be heard.

Guidance and legislation

The practices and procedures within this policy are based on the principles contained within UK legislation and Government Guidance and have been developed to complement the Safeguarding Adults Boards policy and procedures, taking the following into consideration:

• The Care Act 2014
• The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
• Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012
• The Equality Act 2010
• The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Sexual Offences Act 2003
• The Human Rights Act 1998
• The Data Protection Act 2018

Responsibilities and implementation

Lexden Wood Golf Club will seek to promote the principles of safeguarding by:

• Reviewing policy and procedures every three years or whenever there is a major change in legislation.
• Giving guidance on appropriate recruitment procedures to assess the suitability of volunteers and staff working with vulnerable groups.
• Following procedures to report welfare concerns and allegations about the behaviour of adults and ensuring that all staff, volunteers, parents and participants, including children, are aware of these procedures.
• Directing club staff, volunteers and coaches to appropriate safeguarding training and learning opportunities, where this is appropriate to their role.

1. Complaints, concerns and allegations

1.2 The person reporting the concern is not required to decide whether abuse has occurred, but simply has a duty to pass on their concerns and any relevant information - tel: 01526 351824. 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.

1.3 Concerns will be recorded on an Incident Report Form and sent to England Golf Lead Safeguarding Officer and retained confidentially. The Lead Safeguarding Officer will assist with completion of this form if required, tel 01526 351824.

1.4 Lexden Wood Golf Club will work with England Golf, counties and other external agencies to take appropriate action where concerns relate to potential abuse or serious poor practice. Lexden Wood Golf Club disciplinary procedures will be applied and followed where possible.

1.5 Safeguarding adults at risk requires everyone to be committed to the highest possible standards of openness, integrity and accountability. Lexden Wood Golf Club supports an environment where staff, volunteers, parents/carers and the public are encouraged to raise safeguarding concerns. Anyone who reports a legitimate concern to the organisation (even if their concerns subsequently appear to be unfounded) will be supported. All concerns will be taken seriously.

1.6 It is important when considering your concern that you also consider the needs and wishes of the person at risk.

2. Responding to disclosure of abuse

2.1 If an adult indicates that they are being abused, the person receiving the information should:

• Stay calm
• Listen carefully to what is said, allowing the adult to continue at their own pace, and take it seriously
• Explain that it is likely the information will have to be shared with others - do not promise to keep secrets
• Keep questions to a minimum, only ask questions if you need to identify or clarify what the person is telling you. Take care to distinguish between fact, observation, allegation and opinion
• Reassure the person that they have done the right thing in revealing the information
• Ask them what they would like to happen next
• Explain what you would like to do next and ask if they are happy for you to share the information in order for you to help them
• Record in writing what was said using the adult's own words as soon as possible

3. Signs and indicators of abuse and neglect

3.1 Abuse can take place in any context. Abuse may be inflicted by anyone. There are many signs and indicators that may suggest someone is being abused or neglected, these include but are not limited to:

• Unexplained bruises or injuries, or lack of medical attention when an injury is present
• Person has belongings or money going missing
• Person is not attending or no longer enjoying their sessions
• Someone losing or gaining weight or an unkempt appearance
• A change in the behaviour or confidence of a person
• Self-harm
• A fear of a particular group or individual
• They may tell you or another person they are being abused - i.e. a disclosure

4. Consent

4.1 The Care Act 2014 statutory guidance advises that the first priority in safeguarding should always be to ensure the safety and well-being of the adult.

4.2 Adults have a general right to independence, choice and self-determination including control over information about themselves.

4.3 Lexden Wood Golf Club does not expect staff, coaches or volunteers to support an adult who is felt to be vulnerable or at risk through their decision making process but expects them to inform England Golf without delay. Consent is not required to seek guidance or share information with the National Governing Body.

4.4 Adults may not give their consent to the sharing of safeguarding information outside of the organisation for a number of reasons - for example, they may be unduly influenced, coerced or intimidated by another person, they may be frightened of reprisals, they may fear losing control, or they may not trust social services or other partners. Reassurance and appropriate support may help to change their view.

4.5 Those seeking to support the adult should consider the following:

• Explore the reasons for the adult's objections - what are they worried about?
• Explain the concern and why you think it is important to share the information
• Tell the adult with whom you may be sharing the information with and why
• Explain the benefits, to them or others, of sharing information - could they access better help and support?
• Discuss the consequences of not sharing the information - could someone come to harm?
• Reassure them that the information will not be shared with anyone who does not need to know
• Reassure them that they are not alone and that support is available to them

4.6 If the adult continues to refuse intervention to support them with a safeguarding concern, or requests that information about them is not shared with other safeguarding partners, their wishes should be respected.

4.7 However, there are a number of circumstances where those seeking to support the adult can reasonably override such a decision, including but not limited to:

• It appears that the adult lacks the mental capacity to make that decision
• Emergency or life-threatening situations may warrant the sharing of relevant information with the emergency services without consent
• Other people are, or may be, at risk, including children
• A serious crime has been committed or may be prevented
• Individuals in a Position of Trust are implicated

4.7.1 In such circumstances, it is important to keep a careful record of the decision-making process and guidance should be sought from the England Golf Lead Safeguarding Officer. Legal advice will be sought where appropriate. If the decision is to take action without the adult's consent, then unless it is unsafe to do so, the adult should be informed that this is being done and of the reasons why.

5. Useful Contacts

England Golf

Local Contacts

National Contacts

Safeguarding Adults Flowchart

What to do if you have a concern about an adult.

Capacity - Guidance on Making Decisions

The issue of capacity or decision making is a key one in safeguarding adults. Being unable to make a decision is called "lacking capacity".

To make a decision we need to:

• Understand information
• Remember it for long enough
• Think about the information
• Communicate our decision

A person's ability to do this may be affected by things like learning disability, dementia, mental health needs, acquired brain injury, and physical ill health.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) states that every individual has the right to make their own decisions and provides the framework for this to happen. The MCA is about making sure that people over the age of 16 have the support they need to make as many decisions as possible.

To help you to understand the MCA, consider the following five points:

1. Assume that people are able to make decisions, unless it is shown that they are not.
2. Give people as much support as they need to make decisions.
3. People have the right to make unwise decisions. The important thing is that they understand the implications.
4. If someone is not able to make a decision, then the person helping them must only make decisions in their "best interests".
5. Find the least restrictive way of doing what needs to be done.

Incident Report Form

Use this form to record any safeguarding concern. Complete it as soon as possible after the incident and send a copy to the England Golf Lead Safeguarding Officer.

Guidance on Types of Harm

The Care Act 2014 recognises 10 categories of abuse that may be experienced by adults.

Also relevant to safeguarding in sport and physical activity

Guidance on Consent and Information Sharing

Workers and volunteers within sports and physical activity organisations should always share safeguarding concerns in line with their organisation's policy, usually with their safeguarding lead or welfare officer in the first instance, except in emergency situations.

To make an adult safeguarding referral you need to call the local safeguarding adults team. A conversation can be had with the safeguarding adults team without disclosing the identity of the person in the first instance.

If someone does not want you to share information outside of the organisation or you do not have consent to share the information, ask yourself:

• Is the adult placing themselves at further risk of harm?
• Is someone else likely to get hurt?
• Has a criminal offence occurred? (This includes theft, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse or harassment.)
• Is there suspicion that a crime has occurred?

Seven Golden Rules for Information Sharing

1. Seek advice if in any doubt
2. Be transparent - the Data Protection Act is not a barrier to sharing information appropriately
3. Consider the public interest - base all decisions on the safety and well-being of the person or others affected
4. Share with consent where appropriate - you may still share without consent if this is in the public interest
5. Keep a record - record your decision and reasons to share or not share information
6. Accurate, necessary, proportionate, relevant and secure - ensure all information shared is accurate and up-to-date
7. Remember the purpose of the Data Protection Act is to ensure personal information is shared appropriately

Welfare Officer

The Welfare Officer(s) for Lexden Wood Golf Club are: