Children & Young People Safeguarding Policy

1. Introduction

Lexden Wood Golf Club is committed to the welfare and safety of all children and young people who participate in golf at our club. This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, coaches and anyone who works with children in the context of our club activities.

The club recognises and fully endorses the principles contained within the England Golf Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, and the club will follow the procedures and guidance set out by England Golf when responding to safeguarding concerns.

2. Principles

The welfare of the child is paramount. All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse. Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents and carers is essential in promoting their welfare.

• The welfare of the child is always paramount.
• All children deserve to enjoy golf in a safe environment, free from abuse or harm.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to promptly.
• Confidentiality will be appropriately maintained in line with safeguarding requirements.

3. Responsibilities

All staff and volunteers at Lexden Wood Golf Club have a duty to:

• Treat all children with respect and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Be aware of signs that a child may be being abused or harmed.
• Know how and to whom to report a concern.
• Follow the club’s safeguarding procedures.

The Club Welfare Officer has specific responsibility for:

• Being the first point of contact for any safeguarding concerns regarding children and young people.
• Liaising with England Golf and statutory agencies when appropriate.
• Maintaining appropriate records of any concerns raised.
• Ensuring staff and volunteers are aware of and follow this policy.

4. Recognising Abuse

It is important that all staff and volunteers are able to recognise possible indicators of abuse. Types of abuse include:

• Physical abuse – such as hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning or burning
• Sexual abuse – including acts or threats against a child, showing a child sexual images or exploiting them
• Emotional or psychological abuse – persistent emotional maltreatment, humiliation, threatening, ignoring
• Neglect – persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical or psychological needs
• Bullying – including cyber-bullying, sustained emotional, physical or social harm

You may notice concerning behaviour in a child such as unexplained injuries or bruising, a child becoming withdrawn or aggressive, or inappropriate sexual knowledge for their age. If in doubt, always report your concerns to the Club Welfare Officer.

5. Responding to Concerns

If a child tells you they are being abused, or if you witness or suspect abuse:

• Stay calm and listen carefully. Do not express shock or disbelief.
• Do not promise to keep secrets – explain that you may need to tell someone who can help.
• Do not investigate or ask leading questions.
• Make a written record as soon as possible of what you observed or were told, using the child’s own words.
• Pass the information to the Club Welfare Officer without delay.
• If there is an immediate risk to the child’s safety, contact the emergency services on 999 immediately.

6. Confidentiality

All concerns and information about abuse will be treated with sensitivity and kept confidential. Information will only be shared with those who have a legitimate need to know in order to safeguard the child. Staff should be aware that the need to protect a child will override a duty of confidentiality.

Records must be stored securely. Written records should be factual and include dates and times. Records should be retained in line with the club’s data retention policy.

7. Safer Recruitment

The club is committed to safer recruitment practices to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children. This includes:

• Requesting criminal record checks (DBS checks) for all staff and volunteers who work regularly with children.
• Taking up references and verifying identity before appointments are confirmed.
• Ensuring all staff and volunteers are made aware of this policy and related procedures.
• Providing appropriate safeguarding training for those working with children.

7. Useful Contacts

Organisation	Contact
England Golf Lead Safeguarding Officer National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa, LN10 6PU	01526 351856 safeguarding@englandgolf.org
Local Children’s Social Care	0345 603 7627
Children’s Social Care Emergency Duty Team (after 5pm / weekends)	0345 606 1212
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Essex County Council, 19 Market Rd, Chelmsford CM1 1GG	03330 139 797 childrens.safeguarding@essex.gov.uk
Police (non-emergency) Colchester North Station, North Station Road, CO1 1XD	101 Emergency: 999
NSPCC Freephone 24-hour Helpline	0808 800 5000 help@nspcc.org.uk
NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline for Professionals	0808 028 0285
ChildLine	0800 1111
NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit 3 Gilmour Close, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, LE4 1EZ	0116 234 7278 cpsu@nspcc.org.uk
Samaritans	08457 90 90 90