Safeguarding Policy 2022 – Cill Dara Golf Club

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY – Updated 2022

Introduction

The purpose of the Junior Section of Cill Dara Golf Club is to develop and grow Junior Golf within the Club, to provide a framework within which our junior golfers can mix with their peers, develop their golfing skills and enjoy the game of golf. We want to encourage our junior members to become active participants in the club including junior representation at inter club and national level.

This Document sets out the rules each junior is encouraged to follow. The Club wishes that every junior member enjoys their participation in a disciplined manner, demonstrate courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of golf.

This Document also outlines our safeguarding policy in line with the guidance from Junior Golf Ireland’s Charter “Code of Ethics for Golf for Young People” to ensure that we provide an environment that will allow junior golfers to perform to the best of their ability, free from bullying and intimidation.

This document will be reviewed at a minimum of once a year by the Junior committee and updated/amended as required.

Junior categories/membership:

Juniors must be 10 years of age before they can be registered with Cill Dara Golf Club.

Subscription:

7 to 12 years old €78.00

12 to 18 years old €105.00

Main Junior Committee contacts 2022:

Junior Convenor: Jim Hanafin

Child Protection Officer: Jim Hanafin

Deputy Child Protection Officer: Joanne Mulligan

Honorary Secretary: John Conlon

Club Captain: Gerry King

Policy Statement

Cill Dara Golf Club are fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of its members. Every individual in golf should at all times, show respect and understanding for members rights, safety and welfare and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the organisation and the guidelines contained in the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport & Code of Ethics for Golf for Young People.

In working with young people in golf our first priority is the welfare of the young people and we are committed to providing an environment that will allow participants to perform to the best of their ability, free from bullying and intimidation.

The guidelines in this document are based on the national guidelines as outlined in the following documents:

Golf Ireland 2022 – Safeguarding Officer Fiona Power.

Sport Ireland – Safeguarding Children & Young People

Code of Ethics for Golf for Young People, GUI, ILGU & PGA, 2006, revised 2010

Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children,

Dept. of Health & Children 1999, revised 2009

Our Duty to Care, Dept. of Health & Children 2002

Children in Golf: protecting the future. Children in Golf Strategy group with the NSPCC, 2005

Co-operating to Safeguard Children, 2003

Area Child Protection Committee Regional Policy and Procedures, 2005

Section 1 – Junior Policy

Safety First:

The most important thing to remember when playing any sport is to look after your health and safety.

In all cases U18 going out on the course must:

Check if there is availability on the time sheet and check with the office.
Sign in/out their name in the Junior book located in the Junior area.
Be accompanied by a full member (this can be another Junior).

We would like to remind parents/guardians that The Club is not in a position to provide supervision outside Junior competitions and organized group activities i.e. the Club cannot provide any guardianship during unsupervised playing of casual golf. We recommend that Juniors do not play alone & Juniors should not be dropped off or left unaccompanied at the GC.

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to accompany their child (need not be in a golfing capacity)while he/she plays casual golf, particularly while they are beginners. Parents are requested to familarise themselves with course etiquette and course safety and ensure their child practices the same.

Prior to making a practice swing or playing a stroke, the player should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs etc which may be moved by the striker’s swing.

When walking ahead of playing partners do not take a path that puts you in the way of their next shot.

Play in turn on the basis that furthest from the hole plays first. Never hit when there’s a chance you might be able to reach the group ahead of you, and anytime you hit a shot that you think even has remote chance of hitting any other players, yell “fore” immediately, and make a point of apologizing to any players your ball lands near.

Always wear appropriate clothing (i.e. shoes, hats, waterproofs, sun cream etc.)

Leaders will keep a record of attendance at coaching & competitions, keep a brief record of injury, actions taken and keep a brief record of problem/action/outcome if

behavioral problems arise.

If any Junior member encounters any problems or issues please feel free to talk to the Junior Convenor / Child protection officer (see details on page 2). Bullying or any form of horseplay will not be tolerated. Juniors are encouraged to report such incidents to a member of the committee or office – see section 2 – Code of ethics.

Allotted playing times:

Juniors are allotted specific playing times on Thursday mornings between 9am and 1pm and other times as specified by the Junior Convenors.

A Junior can play outside these hours once they have checked with the office if there is availability on the course, they are accompanied by a member and they are signed in on the Junior book located in the Junior area.

Etiquette

To preserve the tradition of the game of golf and to keep the game safe and enjoyable for you and those around you we should all practice good golf etiquette before, during and after our round of golf.

Course Etiquette

Junior should not play alone or in groups of more than three.

On the 1st tee:

-Be organised and on time.

-Be silent when fellow competitors are teeing off.

-Swap cards with your playing partners.

-Make sure to place an identifying mark on your ball and inform the other players the type of ball you are playing.

On the course:

Slow Play:

Play at a good pace and keep the round moving.
Begin planning your next shot as you approach the ball.
If you aren’t ready to play when it is your turn, encourage one of your fellow players to play.
For the comfort and pleasure of all players it is mandatory that in the event of losing one complete hole on the players directly ahead, allow those following behind to go through.
Do not spend too much time looking for a lost ball, particularly if there is a group behind you ready to play. If you insist on taking the full five minutes allotted in the rulebook to look for lost balls, golf etiquette says wave up the group behind to allow them to play through.
When you reach the green make sure you place your trolley beside the green in the direction of the next tee box.
Juniors may not cut in on a hole if there are players playing the previous hole.
Remember to respect the course. Replace divots, repair pitch marks, rake bunkers, take the ball out of the holes with your hand and please do not take caddy cars onto tees or greens etc.
Mobile Phones should be put on silent and only used on the golf course in case of emergency.
Junior members need to study and learn the rules & ethics of the game as published in official R&A booklets.
Junior member should abide by cill dara golf club’s dress code.

Clubhouse Etiquette

Junior member should abide by Cill Dara Golf Club’s dress code

Please make sure not to block the area at the entrance to the pro shop/locker rooms with your golf bag.

Please keep the locker room tidy – store shoes/runners or other belongings away.

When in the club house, be respectful of others, keeping noise to an acceptable level and be careful not to leave a mess behind you.

Mobile phones should only be used in the locker room. They should be put on silent while in the Clubhouse.

Smoking and drinking of alcohol by members under 18 years is strictly forbidden

No person under the age of 18years shall be allowed in the licensed area of the Club after 7pm

(see also 24.7 & 24.8 NGC Constitution)

Junior Dress Code

Course

Appropriate footwear – Golf shoes or runners

Smart casual clothing

Clubhouse

Smart casual clothing

Any footwear worn on the course should be taken off before entering the clubhouse.

Hats should be taken off when in the Clubhouse.

Section 2 – Code of Ethics

Recruitment & Supervision Policy for Sports Leaders/Volunteers

Cill Dara Golf Club should take all reasonable steps to ensure that adults working with young

people are suitable and appropriately qualified. Recruitment and/or supervision procedures

should apply to all persons with substantial access to young people, whether paid or unpaid. A decision to appoint a Leader is the responsibility of the club and not of any one individual within it. The relevant committee(s) should ratify all recommendations for appointment.

Recruitment and Supervision procedure:-

The responsibilities of the role and the level of experience/qualifications required will be drawn up and clearly stated.
Once voted / nominated to a position the Leader will be made aware of the code of

conduct and any related guidelines within this document.

Existing club Leaders will sign the appropriate code of conduct, including the self declaration questions, (see Appendix A Form 0001). Leaders will also be requested to undergo vetting Garda vetting.
New Leaders will also be requested to undergo vetting.
Where appropriate there should be an induction process, done in an informal manner with members of the junior committee, perhaps at a junior event. Following this, a

probationary period should be completed.

Adequate supervision will be combined with good recruitment, avoiding the Leader having to work alone.
Positive disclosures or information received about an individual through vetting does not necessarily effect the Leaders recruitment. Each disclosure should be managed on a case-by-case basis with the Leader and through the organisation. The club will record all decisions in a fair manner and natural justice will apply. A risk assessment will be carried out where necessary.
Failure to comply with the above recruitment procedure could disqualify the Leader from selection or appointment to a position.
Every effort will be made to manage and support appointed Leaders. Coaching courses and workshops will be provided, codes of conduct will be made available and vetting procedures will be implemented.

Guidelines for Sports Leaders

(including professional, coach, convenor etc.)

Golf recognises the key role leaders (professionals, coaches, convenors, captains, selectors

and team managers, etc.) play in the lives of young people in sport. Leaders in golf should

strive to create a positive environment for the children in their care. They have an overall

responsibility to take the necessary steps to ensure that positive and healthy experiences are provided. All Leaders should have as their first priority the children’s safety and enjoyment of golf and should adhere to the guidelines and regulations set out in the Golf’s Code of Ethics.

Leaders should respect the rights, dignity and worth of every child and must treat everyone

equally, regardless of gender, age, disability, social class, race, religion, etc.

Leaders working with young people in golf should have the appropriate experience or hold the necessary qualifications. Leaders will be expected to go through appropriate recruitment and selection procedures, whether paid or unpaid. Vetting procedures must be followed to comply with legislation. There will be a ‘sign-up’ procedure, whereby the appointed/reappointed leaders agree to abide by Golf’s Code of Ethics and to the policies and code of the conduct of Golf. You should know and understand the child protection policies and procedures in the Code of Ethics for Golf for Young People.

Once appointed the Leader should act as a role model and promote the positive aspects of golf and maintain the highest standards of personal conduct. Leaders should develop an

appropriate relationship with young people, based on mutual trust and respect. Remember your behaviour to players, other officials and opponents will have an effect on the players in your care. You should report any concerns you have to the lead officer in your organisation.

Being a role model

You will be required to display high standards of language, manner, punctuality,

preparation and presentation.

Ensure that players in your care respect the rules of the game. Insist on fair play and

ensure players are aware you will not tolerate cheating or bullying behaviour.

Encourage the development of respect for opponents, officials, selectors and other leaders and avoid criticism of fellow professionals and coaches. Do not criticise other

Leaders.

The use of illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco must be actively discouraged as they are incompatible with a healthy approach to sporting activity. Leaders should avoid the use of alcohol and illegal substances before coaching, during events, while supervising trips with young players and providing a duty to care.

Protection for leaders

Leaders are responsible for setting and monitoring the boundaries between a working relationship and friendship with players. It is advisable for leaders not to involve young players in their personal life i.e. visits to leaders’ homes or overnight stays.
Avoid working alone and ensure there is adequate supervision for all activities.

Where possible work in an open environment and ensure that physical contact is

appropriate and has the permission or understanding of the young person

Care must be taken not to expose a child intentionally or unintentionally to

embarrassment or disparagement by use of sarcastic or flippant remarks about the child or his/her family

Physical punishment or physical force must never be used. Never punish a mistake – by physical means or exclusion

A positive environment

Be generous with praise and never ridicule or shout at players for making mistakes or

for losing a match. All young players are entitled to respect.

Be careful to avoid the “star system”. Each child deserves equal time and attention.
Remember that young players play for fun and enjoyment and that skill development

and personal satisfaction have priority over highly structured competition. Never make winning the only objective.

Set realistic goals for the participants and do not push young players. Create a safe and enjoyable environment.
When approached to take on a new player, ensure that any previous coach-participant relationship has been ended in a professional manner.
It is advisable to get agreement from a parent/guardian when young players are invited into adult groups/squads. Boundaries of behaviour in adult groups are normally different from the boundaries that apply to junior groups/squads.
Leaders who become aware of a conflict between their obligation to their players and

their obligation to the club/organisation must make explicit to all parties concerned the nature of the conflict and the loyalties and responsibilities involved.

Leaders should communicate and co-operate with medical and ancillary practitioners in the diagnosis, treatment and management of their players’ medical or related problems.
Avoid giving advice of a personal or medical nature if you are not qualified to do so. Any information of a personal or medical nature must be kept strictly confidential unless the welfare of the child requires the passing on of this information.
The nature of the relationship between leader and a participant can often mean that a

leader will learn confidential information about a player or player’s family. This

information must be regarded as confidential and, except where abuse is suspected,

must not be divulged to a third party without the express permission of the player/family.

Code of Conduct for Leaders

Leaders will familiarise themselves with the Code, in particular this code of conduct. Leaders

should read below and agree to abide by these terms.

As a leader in golf I agree that I will:

Be positive during sessions and competitions, praise and encourage effort as well as

results

Put the welfare of young person first, strike a balance between this and winning / results
Encourage fair play and treat participants equally
Recognise developmental needs, ensuring activities are appropriate for the individual
Plan and prepare appropriately
Be committed to values & guidelines of this Code for Golf and / or hold up-to-date

qualifications

Involve parents where possible and inform parents when problems arise
Keep a record of attendance at training and competitions
Keep a brief record of injury(s) and action taken
Keep a brief record of problem/action/outcomes, if behavioural problems arise
Report any concerns in accordance with this Code’s reporting procedures

Where possible I will avoid:

Spending excessive amounts of time with children away from others
Taking sessions alone
Constant communication with individual golfers by mobile phone or email
Taking children to my home
Taking children on journeys alone in my car

Sports Leaders will not:

Use any form of physical punishment or physical force on a child
Exert undue influence over a participant in order to obtain personal benefit or reward
Engage in rough physical games, sexually provocative games or allow or engage in

inappropriate touching of any kind, and /or make sexually suggestive comments about, or to a child. This includes innuendo, flirting or inappropriate gestures and terms.

Take measurements or engage in certain types of fitness testing without the presence of another adult
Undertake any form of therapy (hypnosis etc.) in the training of children

Code of Conduct for Young People

Cill Dara Golf Club wishes to provide the best possible environment for all young people

involved in the sport. Young people deserve to be given enjoyable, safe sporting opportunities,free of abuse of any kind. These participants have rights, which must be respected, and responsibilities that they must accept. Young people should be encouraged to realise that they have responsibilities to treat other participants and sports leaders with fairness and respect.

Young players are entitled to:

Be safe and to feel safe
Be listened to
Be believed
Have fun and enjoy golf
Have a voice in relation to their activities within golf
Be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect
Participate on an equitable and fair manner, irrespective of ability, disability, gender,

religion, social class, etc.

Experience competition at a level at which they feel comfortable
Make complaints and have them dealt with
Get help against bullies
Say No
Protect their own bodies
Confidentiality

Young players should always:

Treat Sports Leaders with respect, (including professionals, coaches, convenors, club officials, etc.)
Look out for themselves and the welfare of others
Play fairly at all times, do their best
Be organised and on time, tell someone if you are leaving a venue or competition
Respect team members, even when things go wrong
Respect opponents, be gracious in defeat
Abide by the rules set down by team managers/Club leaders/Volunteers when travelling to away events, representing the club, school, province or country, etc.
Behave in a manner that avoids bringing golf into disrepute
Talk to the Junior Convenor within the club if they have any problems

Young players should never:

Cheat
Use violence or engage in irresponsible, abusive, inappropriate or illegal behaviour
Shout or argue with officials, team mates or opponents
Harm team members, opponents or their property
Bully or use bullying tactics to isolate another player or gain advantage
Take banned substances, drink alcohol, smoke or engage in sexual behaviour
Keep secrets, especially if they have been caused harm
Tell lies about adults / young people
Spread rumours
Discriminate against other players on the basis of gender, age, disability, social class, religion, race, etc.

Guidelines/Code of Conduct for Parents

Cill Dara Golf Club believe that parents should:

Familiarise themselves with all sections of Cill Dara Golf Club’s Junior Policy & Code of Ethics.
Complete and return the Junior Members – Application form.
Respect the rules and procedures set down by Cill Dara Golf Club.
Be a role model for your child and maintain the highest standards of conduct when interacting with young people, other parents, officials and organisers.
Always behave responsibly and do not seek to unfairly affect a player or the outcome of the game.
Never intentionally expose any young participant to embarrassment or disparagement by the use of flippant or sarcastic remarks.
Always recognise the value and importance of the officials and volunteers who provide sporting and recreational opportunities for your child. Do not publicly question the judgement or honesty of referees, coaches or organisers. Respect convenors, professionals, coaches, referees, organisers and other players. Parents are welcome to attend events and coaching sessions but should not interfere with the coach or professional while working with the player.
Encourage your child to play by the rules. Teach your child that honest endeavour is as important as winning and do all you can to encourage good sportsmanship.
Set a good example by applauding good play on all sides. Encourage mutual respect for other junior members, teammates and opponents.
Parents should support all efforts to remove abusive behaviour and bullying behaviour in all its forms. Please refer to bullying policy within Golf’s guidelines.

Parents/Guardians have the right to:

Know their child is safe
Be informed of problems or concerns relating to their children.
Be informed if their child is injured.
Have their consent sought for issues such as trips.
Complain if they have any concerns.

Disciplinary & Complaints Procedure

The Junior Convenor shall be included in all relevant discussions and

parents/guardians kept informed.

Discipline:

Any Incident will be addressed by the responsible person at the time and

reported to the Junior Committee as appropriate.

Depending on the nature of the misbehavior a Verbal or Written warning may

be given.

In the event of a persistent or more serious issue a disciplinary committee

may be convened as outlines below

Complaints:

Complaints may be lodged by all members of the club
They should be received in writing by the relevant junior convenor of the club.
Complaints should be made to the club secretary/manager if it is about the

convenor.

The complaint should outline all relevant details about the parties involved
The junior convenor may convene a disciplinary committee of 3 (including members involved with junior golf). However, if the complaint involves the possibility criminal offence the convenor should talk to the Child Protection Officer, who will follow the Code’s reporting procedure.
In the event that the Junior Convenor is also the Child Protection Officer, he/she will inform the Club Captain and Club Honorary Secretary.
The statutory authorities will be informed.
The disciplinary committee should hear the case of all parties involved and decide if a rule or regulation of the Code has been infringed
They should, in writing, inform those involved of the sanctions to be imposed.
Written notification should be given to parents if the complaint is against a junior member
Keep all records on file (decide for how long and with who – by junior convenor until young person concerned becomes full member within the club)
If any party does not agree with the disciplinary committee they can appeal the decision in writing within 10-day period
The appeals committee is convened by the junior convenor, whose chairperson should be taken from the executive committee and include those who have not been on the original disciplinary committee
The appeals committee should confirm or set aside or change any sanction imposed by the disciplinary committee.
If the issue cannot be resolved at local level the complaint may be referred to the Council / Union whose decision shall be final
For complaints in relation to PGA members the lead officer should be

contacted in order to ensure the PGA process is followed.

General Guidelines in relation to working with Children

Travelling

There is extra responsibility taken on by leaders when they travel with children to events. When travelling with young people we will:

Ensure that there is adequate insurance cover.
Not carry more than the permitted number of passengers.
Ensure use of safety belts.
Avoid being alone with one participant. Put the passenger in the back seat, drop off at central locations or seek parental permission to transport an individual participant on a regular basis and clearly state times of pick- up and drop off.

Supervision

Make sure there is an adequate adult: child ratio. This will depend on the nature of the activity, the age of the participants, any special needs of the group and away trips.
As a guide a ratio of 1:8 for under 12 years of age and 1:10 for participants over 12 years of age.
Where there are mixed groups on a regular basis there should be leaders of both

genders

Avoid being alone with one participant, if you need to talk separately do so in an open environment, in view of others
Supervision of changing rooms if necessary, (where children are very young or need

special assistance), should be in pairs of appropriate gender

Clearly state time for start and end of training sessions or competitions, leaders should remain in pairs until all participants have been collected
Keep attendance records and record of any incidents / injuries that arise
Facilitate parents who wish to stay and supervise sessions, (for safety and supervision, not necessarily for their ‘technical’ expertise)

Safety

Cill Dara Golf Club shall:

Ensure activities are suitable for age and stage of development of participants
Keep a record of any specific medical conditions of the participants
Keep a record of emergency contact numbers for parents / guardians
Ensure First Aid kit is close at hand
Know the contact numbers of emergency services
Keep first aid kit appropriately stocked
If an incident occurs, make a brief record of injury and action taken. Make a brief record of the problem/action/outcome. Contact the participants parents and keep them informed of all details
Participants should know and keep the etiquette guidelines of golf, keeping in mind that many rules are there for safety
Ensure there is adequate insurance cover for all activities

Physical Contact

Golf on occasion requires a ‘hands on approach’, especially in a teaching or coaching situation,

e.g., it may be necessary to assist a young person when learning how to grip the club for the

first time but the following should be taken into consideration

Avoid unnecessary physical contact
Any necessary contact should be in response to the needs of the child and not the adult
It should be in an open environment with the permission and understanding of the

participant

It should be determined by the age and developmental stage of the participant – Don’t do something that a child can do for themselves
Never engage in inappropriate touching

Late Collection

Parents are asked to be on time collecting their child/children after club activities and to notify the club if they are unduly delayed. If a parent is late collecting a child the parent will be contacted using the emergency contact number on file. If there is no answer we will ask the child if there is another family member to contact. We will wait with the young person at the club or venue, preferably with other staff or volunteers. On arrival the parent/guardian is reminded of the importance of being on time or contacting the club if delayed.

Photographic and Filming Equipment

The Club will take all necessary steps to ensure that young people are protected from the

inappropriate use of their images in resource and media publications, on the internet and

elsewhere. This is not to avoid parents/guardians taking photographs of their children but to

ensure that best practice is put in place wherever and whenever photographs and recorded

images are taken and stored.

When using golfer’s photographs the Club will:

Inform athletes and parents that a photographer may be in attendance at an event and ensure they consent to both the taking and publication of films or photographs
Ask for parental permission to use the golfer’s image and consult with the golfer about its usage
Ensure the content of the photograph focuses on the golf not on a particular child
Not approve/allow photo sessions outside the events or at an athlete’s home

Videoing as a coaching aid:

Video equipment can be used as a legitimate coaching aid.

However, permission should be first be obtained from the player and the player’s parent.

Anyone concerned about any photography taking place at events or training sessions should

contact the lead officer and ask them to deal with the matter.

Mobile Phones

Young people value their mobile phones as it gives them a sense of independence and they

can often be given to young people for security to enable parents to keep in touch. However,

technology has given direct personal contact between adults and young people and in some

cases adults have used this to cross personal boundaries and cause harm. The following

guidelines will be followed:

Leaders will:

Use group texts for communication among players and teams and inform parents of this at the start of the season, tournament or event
Not have constant contact with an individual athlete
Not use their phones in inappropriate locations, such as changing rooms, especially if your phone has a camera

Young golfers:

If you receive an offensive message, email or photo don’t reply to it, save it, make a note of

times and dates and tell a parent, lead officer or responsible adult that you trust

Be careful about whom you give your number or email address to and don’t respond to

unfamiliar numbers

Don’t use your phone in inappropriate locations, such as changing rooms, especially if your

phone has a camera

Treat your phone as you would any valuable item so that you can guard against theft

Bullying

Bullying can occur between an adult and young person, and young person to young person. In either case it is not acceptable within Golf. The competitive nature of golf can create an

environment that provides opportunities for bullying. The bully may be a parent who pushes too hard, a coach who adopts a win-at-all costs philosophy, a young player who intimidates another or an official who places unfair pressure on a person.

Bullying can only survive in an environment where the victim does not feel empowered to tell

someone who can help or in which it is not safe to do so. The damage inflicted by bullying can frequently be underestimated. It can cause considerable distress to young people, to the extent it effects their health and development, or at the extreme, causes them significant harm.

The Club will:

Ensure that all members follow the Code of Conduct, which promotes the rights and

dignity of each member

Deal with any incidents as they arise
Use a whole group policy or ‘no-blame approach’, i.e. not ‘bullying the bully’ but working with bullies and the group of young people, helping them to understand the hurt they are causing, and so make the problem a ‘shared concern’ of the group
Reinforce that there is ‘a permission to tell’ culture rather than a ‘might is right’
Encourage young people to negotiate, co-operate and help others, particularly new or children with specific needs
Offer the victim immediate support and put the ‘no blame approach’ into operation
Never tell a young person to ignore bullying, they can’t ignore it, it hurts too much
Never encourage a young person to take the law into their own hands and beat the bullyat his/her own game
Tell the victim there is nothing wrong with them and it is not their fault
For further information on bullying and the ‘no-blame’ approach see website, irishsportcouncil.ie

Away trips / Overnight stays

While most juniors attend coaching, competitions and other golf events within the club there may be occasion to travel to other venues.

The following guidelines should be considered:-

Separate permission forms should be signed by parents and participants, containing

emergency contact number(s)

Appoint a group leader who will make a report on returning home
A meeting with parents and participants should be used to communicate travel times,

competition details, other activities, gear requirements, medical requirements, special

dietary needs and any other necessary details

Rooming arrangements – adults should not share rooms with children. Children should share rooms with those of same age and gender and adults should knock before entering rooms
All group socialisation should take place in communal areas (i.e. no boys in girls’ rooms and vice versa)
Alcoholic drink, smoking or any illegal substances are forbidden to players
There should be at least one adult of each gender with a mixed party, there should be a good adult – child ratio, 1:5/6, and proper access to medical personnel
Lights out times should be enforced
Young players should be under reasonable supervision at all times and should never

leave the venue or go unsupervised without prior permission.

Child Welfare and Protection Procedures

Cill Dara Golf club accepts that organisations, which include young people among its members,are vulnerable to the occurrence of child abuse. Below are the procedures for dealing with any welfare or protection issue that may arise. Child welfare and the protection of young people is the concern of all adults at all times, irrespective of their role within the club.

If there are grounds for concern about the safety or welfare of a young person, golf clubs should react to the concern. Persons unsure about whether or not certain behaviours are abusive and therefore reportable, should contact the duty social worker in the local health services executive or social services department where they will receive advice. Grounds for concern include a specific indication from a child, a statement from a person who witnessed abuse or an illness, injury or behaviour consistent with abuse.

A report may be made by any member in the club but should be passed on to the Child

protection officer (CPO), who may in turn have to pass the concern to the local Statutory

Authorities. It is not the responsibility of anyone working within golf clubs, in a paid or voluntary capacity, to take responsibility or decide whether or not child abuse is taking place. That is the job of the local statutory authorities. However, there is a responsibility to protect children by assisting the appropriate agencies so that they can then make enquiries and take any necessary action to protect the young person.

Everyone should follow both procedures outlined below, firstly the procedure for responding to a child in distress and secondly the procedure for reporting the concern.

Response to a Child Disclosing Abuse

When a young person discloses information of suspected abuse you should:

(a) Deal with any allegation of abuse in a sensitive and competent way through listening to and facilitating the child to tell about the problem, rather than interviewing the child about details of what happened

(b) Stay calm and don’t show any extreme reaction to what the child is saying. Listen

compassionately and take what the child is saying seriously

(c) Understand that the child has decided to tell something very important and has taken a risk to do so. The experience of telling should be a positive one so that the child will not mind

talking to those involved in the investigation

(d) Be honest with the child and tell them that it is not possible to keep information a secret

(e) Make no judgmental statements against the person whom the allegation is made

(f) Do not question the child unless the nature of what s/he is saying is unclear. Leading

questions should be avoided. Open, non-specific questions should be used such as “Can

you explain to me what you mean by that”

(g) Check out the concerns with the parents/guardians before making a report unless doing so would endanger the child

(h) Give the child some indication of what would happen next, such as informing

parents/guardians, police or social services. It should be kept in mind that the child may

have been threatened and may feel vulnerable at this stage.

(i) Carefully record the details

(j) Pass on this information to the CPO

(k) Reassure the child that they have done the right thing in telling you

Reporting Suspected or Disclosed Child Abuse

The following steps should be taken in reporting child abuse to the statutory authorities:

(a) Observe and note dates, times, locations and contexts in which the incident occurred or

suspicion was aroused, together with any other relevant information

(b) Report the matter as soon as possible to the CPO within the organisation who has

responsibility for reporting abuse. If the CPO has reasonable grounds for believing that the

child has been abused or is at risk of abuse, s/he will make a report to the local social

services who have statutory responsibility to investigate and assess suspected or actual

child abuse

(c) In cases of emergency, where a child appears to be at immediate and serious risk and the CPO is unable to contact a duty social worker, the police authorities should be contacted. Under no circumstances should a child be left in a dangerous situation pending intervention by the Statutory Authorities

(d) If the CPO is unsure whether reasonable grounds for concern exist s/he can informally

consult with the local social services. S/he will be advised whether or not the matter requires

a formal report. A Lead Officer reporting suspected or actual child abuse to the Statutory Authorities will first inform the family of their intention to make such a report, unless doing so would endanger the child or undermine an investigation

The Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998 (ROI only) provides immunity from civil liability to persons who report child abuse ‘reasonably and in good faith’ to the Health Services Executive or the Gardai. The act also covers the offence of ‘false reporting’.

The main provisions of the Act are:

The provision of immunity from civil liability to any person who reports child abuse

“reasonably and in good faith” to designated officers of Health Service Executive or any

member of An Garda Siochána

The provision of significant protections for employees who report child abuse. These

protections cover all employees and all forms of discrimination up to and including,

dismissal

The creation of a new offence of false reporting of child abuse where a person makes a

report of child abuse to the appropriate authorities “knowing that statement to be false”.

This is a new criminal offence designed to protect innocent persons from malicious

Reports

Allegations against Sports Leaders

The Club will have agreed procedures to be followed in cases of alleged child abuse complaints concerning Leaders. If such an allegation is made against a Sports Leader working within the organisation, two procedures should be followed:

The reporting procedure in respect of suspected child abuse (reported by the Lead

Officer), see previous page

The procedure for dealing with the Sports Leader (carried out by the club’s secretary

manager or senior officer, (a person not already involved with the child protection

concern)

The safety of the child making the allegation should be considered and the safety of any other children who may be at risk. The club should take any necessary steps that may be needed to protect children in its care.

The issue of confidentiality is important. Information is on a need to know basis and the Sports Leader will be treated with respect and fairness.

While the CPO makes the report to the local statutory authorities, the senior officer of the

organisation should deal with the Leader in question.

The secretary manager/senior officer will privately inform the Leader that
(a) an allegation has been made against him / her and (b) the nature of the allegation. He / she should be afforded an opportunity to respond. His / her response should be noted and passed on to the social services
The Leader should be asked to step aside pending the outcome of the investigation.

When a person is asked to step aside it should be made clear that it is only a

precautionary measure and will not prejudice any later disciplinary proceedings

Disciplinary action on the Leader should be considered but this should not interfere with the

investigation of the Statutory Authorities. The outcome of the investigation and any implications it might have should be considered. The fact that the alleged abuser has not been prosecuted or been found guilty does not automatically mean that they are appropriate to work with young people in the future.

Irrespective of the findings of the Statutory Authorities, the disciplinary committees should

assess all individual cases to decide whether a member of staff or volunteer should continue or be reinstated and if so how this can be sensitively handled. This may be a difficult decision, especially where there is insufficient evidence to uphold any action by the statutory authorities. In such case the disciplinary committee should reach a decision based upon the available information which could suggest that on the balance of probability, it is more likely than not that the allegation is true, and the implications of this for the safety of children. The welfare of the child should remain of paramount importance throughout. The club may need to disclose information to ensure the protection of young people in its care.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality should be maintained in respect of all issues and people involved in cases of

abuse, welfare or bad practice. It is important that the rights of both the child and the person

about whom the complaint has been made are protected.

The Club will consider the following when discussing concerns:

A guarantee of confidentiality or undertakings regarding secrecy cannot be given, as the welfare of the child will supersede all other considerations
All information should be treated in a careful and sensitive manner and should be

discussed only with those who need to know

Information should be conveyed to the parents / guardians of the child in a sensitive way
Giving information to others on a ‘need to know’ basis for the protection of a child is not a breach of confidentiality
All persons involved in a child protection process (the child, his/her parents/guardians, the alleged offender, his/her family, Leaders) should be afforded appropriate respect, fairness, support and confidentiality at all stages of the procedure
Information should be stored in a secure place, with limited access only to Lead Officers and appropriate personnel
The requirements of Data Protection laws should be adhered to
Breach of confidentiality is a serious manner

Anonymous Complaints / Rumours

Anonymous complaints can be difficult to deal with but will not be ignored. Rumours should not be allowed to hang in the air. All concerns relating to inappropriate behaviour should be brought to the attention of the CPO and any such complaints brought to the attention of the CPO should be dealt with. The information should be checked out and handled in a confidential manner. In all cases the safety and welfare of the child/children is paramount.

Junior Members – Code of Conduct/Medical form

CONTACT INFORMATION DATE: ___________________

Full Name of Junior: __________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Telephone/Home:___________________

Telephone/Mobile (in case of emergency):________________________

Telephone Mobile of Junior Golfer:______________________________

E-MAIL:___________________________ Date of Birth:_______________________

MEDICAL/BEHAVIOURAL INFORMATION

__________________________________________________________

Please include all medical details that might be relevant in dealing in with your child in a safe manner,

such as allergies, medication, special needs, etc.

PARENTAL/GUARDIAN CONSENT

I am the Parent/Guardian of ____________________________________

I will inform the Club Administrator of any changes to the information above. I confirm that all details arecorrect and I am able to give parental consent for my child to participate in all activities.I understand that, on occasion, photographs may be taken during or at golf related events andmay be published on the Club’s web-site and other promotional material for Cill Dara Golf Club.I acknowledge that the club is not responsible for providing adult supervision for my child except for formal club coaching, matches and competitions. We (Junior & Parent/Guardian) have been made aware of Cill Dara Golf Club’s Junior Policy andCode of Ethics Policy document and agree to abide by these guidelines.

SIGNATURE PARENT/GUARDIAN: _____________________________________

PRINTED NAME PARENT/GUARDIAN: __________________________________

SIGNATURE JUNIOR: _____________________________________

PRINTED NAME JUNIOR: __________________________________

Travelling Permission Form

Travelling with Underage Participants

EVENT: _______________________ Junior’s Name:_____________________________

VENUE: _______________________ Transport: ________________________________

DATES: _______________________

___________________________________________________________________

Travelling Volunteer

I hereby agree to abide by the guidelines and regulations contained in this Code of Ethics for

Golf for Young People

Name: __________________________ Role: __________

Date: ___________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Parent / Guardian of Participant

I hereby give my permission for the above named Junior to travel to the above named event.

I am aware of Cill Dara Golf Club’s Guidelines/Procedures in relation to travelling/Away trips

Parents/Guardians:

Name: _________________________ Date: ______________

Signature: _________________________

Emergency Contact Number(s):________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Young Participant

I agree to abide by the rules set down by Cill Dara Golf Clubs team managers/Club

leaders/Volunteers when travelling to away events, representing the club, school, province or country, etc.

Name:_________________________ Date:_______________

Signature: _________________________

Recruitment Form – Existing Leaders information form

Leaders should familiarise themselves with Cill Dara Golf Club’s Junior Policy & Code of Ethics,in particular the Leader’s Code of Conduct outlined below. Leaders will read and agree to abide by these terms. Leaders will update the self-declaration questions annually.

As a leader in golf I agree that I will

Be positive during sessions and competitions, praise and encourage effort as well as results
Put welfare of young person first, strike a balance between this and winning / results
Encourage fair play and treat participants equally
Recognise developmental needs, ensuring activities are appropriate for the individual
Plan and prepare appropriately
Have experience relevant to working with young people or hold up-to-date qualifications and be committed to the guidelines in this Code
Involve parents where possible and inform parents when problems arise
Keep a record of attendance at training and competitions
Keep a brief record of injury(s) and action taken
Keep a brief record of problem/action/outcomes, if behavioural problems arise
Report any concerns in accordance with this Code’s reporting procedures

Where possible I will avoid:

Spending excessive amounts of time with children away from others
Taking sessions alone
Constant communication with individual golfers by mobile phone or email
Taking children to my home
Taking children on journeys alone in my car

Sports Leaders should not:

Use any form of physical punishment or physical force on a child
Exert undue influence over a participant in order to obtain personal benefit or reward
Engage in rough physical games, sexually provocative games or allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any kind, and /or make sexually suggestive comments about, or to a child. This includes innuendo, flirting or inappropriate gestures and terms
Take measurements or engage in certain types of fitness testing without the presence of another adult
Undertake any form of therapy (hypnosis etc.) in the training of children

Self-Declaration

Do you agree to abide by the guidelines contained in the Code

of Ethics for Golf for Young People? Yes [ ] No [ ]

Have you ever been asked to leave a sporting organisation? Yes [ ] No [ ]

(If you have answered yes, we will contact you in confidence)

Is there any reason why you should not be working with young people? Yes [ ] No [ ]

Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence or been the subject of a caution; a Bound Over Order; or are you at present the subject of criminal investigations? Yes [ ] No [ ]

(If you have answered yes, we will contact you in confidence)

Signed: ____________________________

Dated:_____________________________

Adequate supervision will be combined with good recruitment, avoiding the Leader having to work alone