The primary responsibility will always be the safety of the child (and other siblings). In an emergency, the police should be contacted via 999.

Referrers should record the nature of the concern or allegation as soon as practicable after it has been identified or disclosed, using the child’s own words. A child who has disclosed abuse should not be interviewed by anyone other than trained staff from the Local Authority and the police in the first instance.

Depending on the nature of the concern or allegation, the SGU Junior Welfare Officer should be contacted so advice can be provided and further referral to the National Governing Body may be considered.

Where a child discloses, the person who receives the disclosure should not offer confidentiality, but that child who discloses should be reassured that the matter is being taken seriously. Doing nothing is not an option under this Policy.

Suffolk Golf Union’s Safeguarding Policy will be available to all members, parents, staff, volunteers and participants.

SGU’s Junior Committee has responsibility for ensuring that the policy and procedures are implemented, including taking any appropriate disciplinary action necessary.

SGU’s Junior Welfare Officer has responsibility for responding to any allegations, concerns or child protection incidents, passing information to the appropriate National Governing Body Lead Child Protection Officer and informing the appropriate SGU and other relevant staff.

Working with SGU Junior Committee, parents and carers have a responsibility to help implement procedures and provide children with the necessary information to safeguard themselves.

The Policy will be reviewed every three years by SGU’s Junior Committee, and amended as appropriate. Guidance from golf’s governing bodies will be sought as part of the review process.

Applicants must be affiliated to another club and hold an official handicap. Country members are not entitled to vote at General Meetings.