Safeguarding Children

Modern sports organisations view the issue of safeguarding and protecting children as a responsibility rather than a burden.

The Golf Foundation is fully committed to ensuring that golf provides a safe environment in which children can learn about the sport without fear of abuse in its various forms.

The Golf Foundation is part of the Children in Golf Strategy Group, formed to ensure that the golfing organisations in Great Britain and Ireland would address the issue of child protection collectively rather than independently. Most of the major golfing organisations are committed to the group.

The Golf Foundation has adopted the policy document produced by the Children in Golf Strategy Group and is working with the group to achieve the targets set in the agreed implementation and training plans.

Vetting and Barring Scheme

In June 2010, the government has announced the suspension of the introduction of the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS), pending the outcome of a comprehensive review, which is likely to result in re-modeling and significant scaling back of the scope of the scheme.

For the latest information on the Vetting and Barring Scheme for adults working with children, please visit: www.childreningolf.org

Guidelines for Safeguarding Children in Golf

To ensure that all children and vulnerable individuals have a fun, safe and positive experience, the multi-agency Children in Golf Strategy Group has produced a resource pack called: ‘Guidelines for Safeguarding Children in Golf’.

The pack provides practical advice, sample forms, codes of conduct and guidance, which will be invaluable to anyone involved with junior golf. The pack can be downloaded free of charge via the Children in Golf website.

Training workshops

With the assistance and approval of Sports Coach UK, the Children in Golf Strategy Group has been able to tailor the generic Safeguarding and Protecting Children Workshop so that it meets the needs of those involved in golf.

The Safeguarding and Protecting Children Workshop is a nationally recognised training opportunity that provides participants with advice and guidance on issues surrounding the protection of children and young people during golf activity and coaching sessions at clubs or elsewhere. All coaches and volunteers looking to work with young people in golf are expected to attend this workshop as a minimum standard as well as undergoing Criminal Record Bureau checks. Clarification over the impact of the proposed Vetting and Barring Scheme for adults working with young people is still being sought alongside all other sports but for the latest information, please visit: www.childreningolf.org

All of the workshops are led by approved Sports Coach UK tutors and during the workshops attendees will:

· have the opportunity to discuss a range of issues and scenarios relating to golf.

· be given guidance on how to identify poor practice

· receive a copy of the Sports Coach UK/NSPCC 'Protecting Children' resource pack

· be given clear information on how to respond to an incident or allegation

(N.B: Any PGA Professionals attending will receive 25 CPD points)

Information about the child protection workshops can be accessed via the Children in Golf website: www.childreningolf.org