Westwood Golf Club Welfare Officer contact details:
Name: Wendy Johnson
Email Address: wendy01.sue@gmail.com
Telephone Number: 07704 499512
Other useful contacts:
NSPCC 24-hour helpline Tel: 0808 800 5000 | England Golf Lead Safeguarding Officer 01526 351824
Westwood Golf Club Welfare Officer Roles and Responsibilities
Whilst everyone is responsible for safeguarding the Club Welfare Officer is the person within a Golf Club with primary responsibility for managing and reporting concerns about children or adults at risk and for putting in to place safeguarding procedures.
Policy and Procedures
- To assist the club to put Safeguarding Policy and Procedures in place.
- To assist the club to put implementation plans in place for child safeguarding.
- To promote awareness of the Codes of Conduct for staff, volunteers, coaches, members (juniors
and adults) and parents. - To ensure that safe recruitment procedures for staff and volunteers are followed.
- To ensure that all appropriate existing staff or volunteers have an up-to-date DBS Enhanced Disclosure. These should be updated every 3 years.
Referrals
- To be the first point of contact for club staff, volunteers, young people and parents for any issues concerning child welfare / adults at risk, poor practice and potential or alleged abuse.
- To ensure that all incidents are reported correctly and referred in accordance with Policy guidelines.
- To act independently and in the best interests of a child at the club, putting the child’s needs above those of others and the club itself.
- To ensure confidentiality is maintained and information is only shared on a ‘need to know’ basis.
- Maintain contact details for the local children’s social care department, the police and Local Safeguarding Children Board.
- Be the first point of contact with the England Golf Lead Safeguarding Officer.
Education and Training
- To advise the club on appropriate training for coaches and volunteers based on the England Golf recommended training requirements.
- To signpost those with roles and responsibilities for children and young people to appropriate safeguarding training opportunities.
General
- Work with others in the club to ensure a positive child-centred environment.
- Assist England Golf to fulfil its responsibilities to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk at club level.
- To sit on the club management committee to advise on child safeguarding issues or be in attendance as necessary.
Some Top Tips for the Club Welfare Officer
- Be approachable. Make yourself known to members of the club and ensure all members are aware that you are available to advise any person in the club who has a concern of a child safeguarding nature.
- Raise awareness of Safeguarding at committee meetings and use recommended templates for Policies and Procedures that promote best practice. Assist the club with putting these in place.
- Be knowledgeable and clear about how to make a referral. Follow the guidance and flow charts provided by England Golf.
- Get to know your County Welfare Officer, Club Support Officer and England Golf Lead Safeguarding Officer - they will help support you in your role.
Time Commitment
NB : This will vary from club to club, but will include attendance at club meetings and dedicated time should any child protection concerns be raised
Knowledge
- An awareness of core legislation, government guidance and national framework for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- An awareness of the roles and responsibilities of statutory agencies (Children’s Social Care, the Police and the NSPCC) and the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
- An awareness of equality issues, child protection and safeguarding adults at risk.
- An understanding of poor practice and abuse – behaviour that is harmful to children or adults at risk.
- An understanding of England Golf’s recommended procedures relating to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk.
Training
The following training is required:
- Attendance at a UK Coaching Safeguarding and Protecting Children Workshop
- Attendance at a NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit “Time to Listen” child safeguarding training for designated persons