Adult Safeguarding Policy

1. Introduction

Lexden Wood Golf Club is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment for adults involved in golf activities. Safeguarding is the responsibility of all staff, volunteers and officials. This policy applies to all employees, members, volunteers, coaches and others involved in golf at our club.

We recognise that safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and everyone involved in delivering our activities has a role to play in creating a positive experience for all.

2. Purpose

This policy sets out our commitment to protecting adults from abuse or harm, and outlines the processes we will follow when a concern is raised. It provides guidance for staff, volunteers and members on:

• Recognising signs of abuse or harm
• Responding appropriately to concerns or disclosures
• Recording and reporting concerns correctly
• Supporting those involved

3. Scope

This policy covers adults who are at risk of abuse or harm and who are participating in golf or related activities at Lexden Wood Golf Club. An adult at risk is someone aged 18 or over who:

• Has needs for care and support
• Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
• As a result of those needs, is unable to protect themselves against abuse or neglect or the risk of it

The Care Act 2014 places a duty on local authorities to promote the wellbeing of adults and to safeguard adults at risk of abuse or neglect. This policy aligns with this duty and with England Golf’s safeguarding framework.

4. Types of Abuse

Abuse and neglect can take many forms. It is important that all staff, volunteers and members are able to recognise the possible signs of abuse and know what to do if they have concerns.

Types of abuse include, but are not limited to:

• Physical abuse – including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication or restraint
• Domestic abuse – including psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse – including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching
• Psychological or emotional abuse – including threats, humiliation, controlling behaviour, verbal abuse
• Financial or material abuse – including theft, fraud, internet scamming or coercion in relation to financial affairs
• Modern slavery – including human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude
• Discriminatory abuse – abuse based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, disability or sexual orientation
• Organisational or institutional abuse – neglect or poor care practice within an institution or care setting
• Neglect and acts of omission – ignoring physical, emotional or medical care needs
• Self-neglect – neglecting personal hygiene, health or surroundings

5. The 4 Rs – Recognise, Respond, Record, Report

All staff, volunteers and officials have a responsibility to act if they have a concern about an adult. The key actions are:

• Recognise – be aware of the signs of abuse or poor practice
• Respond – take the concern seriously and make clear the person is being listened to
• Record – write down what has happened, in the adult’s own words where possible
• Report – pass the information to the Club Welfare Officer without delay

6. Useful 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:

Related Documents

• Safeguarding Policy Statement
• Children & Young People Safeguarding Policy