Child Protection

Child Protection is a fundamental part of the clubgolf structure, and as such the Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies
Golfing Association are committed to helping clubs and facilities delivering clubgolf with this important issue. To ensure
children, coaches and club members can enjoy golf in a safe environment there are several things a club must do:

• Have a Child Protection Policy in place
  Each club or facility delivering clubgolf must have a Child Protection Policy. Scottish Golf has produced a Guidelines document to assist clubs when developing their own. You may also want to look at your Local Authority, Sports Council
  or other sporting organisations Child Protection Policies. To download Scottish Golf’s Guidelines for Child Protection
  for Golf Clubs & Facilities please visit the Child Protection section of the Scottish Golf Union website.
  
  
• Have a Child Protection Officer in place
  Each club or facility must have their own Child Protection Officer. This person will be the main contact for child protection issues and be responsible for implementing the Child Protection Policy. They will also be a signatory for Disclosure Scotland checks. Once your Child Protection policy and Officer is in place your club or facility will then be able to use the Scottish Golf Union Central Vetting System to access Disclosure checks. Please also see the info at the links above to
  find out how to put a Child Protection Officer in place at your club.
  
  
• Disclosure Scotland checks
  Every coach delivering clubgolf (paid or voluntary) must complete a satisfactory Disclosure Scotland check at enhanced level. This should be conducted through your club Child Protection Officer.
  
  
• Training
  Attending a sportscoachUK ‘Safeguarding and Protecting Children’ workshop is compulsory for all coaches wishing to
  get a PGA Level 1 Licence. This training is paramount for anyone working with children in sport, ensuring that both
  adults and children are safe in their sporting environment.
  
  To find out when Safeguarding and Protecting Children courses are available in all areas across Scotland and who to contact to book a place, see the current sportscoachUK Workshop Calendar or the Child Protection in Sport website: www.childprotectioninsport.org.uk.

  If you have any questions or concerns relating to Child Protection please contact Anna Thomas, SGU Child and Adult Protection Officer on 01334 466494 or email a.thomas@scottishgolf.org.