Like most organisations in the modern age, the Northumberland County Golf Partnership is committed to promoting child protection and best practices.
We have appointed a Welfare Officer and have also created a comprehensive Child Protection Policy document, which will be available online shortly.

Children in Golf is a partnership of Governing Bodies and organisations of Golf throughout Great Britain and Ireland, working to children are safe and can thrive in the sport of golf.

The partnership provides a number of resources for organisers, parents and children, including a Child Protection Policy document template. This and other resources can be downloaded from the Children In Golf website.

CRB Checking, or Criminal Records Bureau checks. There are two levels of checking, and although not mandatory, are insisted upon by most golf organisations. Volunteer cheks are carried out for free, but there is a charge for people who come into contact with children through their paid employment. Recently, the Independent Safeguarding Authority launched a new level of checking, the Vetting and Barring scheme, which prevents those people who present a known risk to children or vulnerable adults from gaining access to them through their work or volunteering. Click here for the EGU guide to the schemes.

Golf is the only sport mentioned explicitly in the draft Equality Bill, which is expected to become law in the Autumn of 2010. Some associations, which include private members' golf clubs with male/female membership, still do not treat women equally. For example, they do not allow women to vote as full members; or they restrict women‟s access to the club's facilities. Click here for the EGU's Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Bill.

Reproduced from EWGA Guidelines:

Parents have an important role to play in their child's membership and participation in golf and must take overall responsibility for their child's behaviour and conduct. The NCGP has a duty of care towards children when they are involved in development activities or socialising.

It is expected that PGA Professionals, coaches, staff and volunteers will endeavour to develop trusting relationships with all junior members. However, as a parent, you should check that an action plan exists to ensure good practice in child protection.

Parents are encouraged to:

- Take an interest in their children's activity and progress and be supportive.
- Introduce themselves to the adults involved in the supervision of the Juniors, the Junior Organiser, PGA professional, coaches and the Golf Welfare Officer.
- Find out what the Partnership has to offer regarding coaching sessions and junior competitions and any playing restrictions for children.
- Obtain any good practice guidance and Codes of Conduct for children from the Partnership and go through them with their child.
- Be punctual when dropping off and picking up their children for and from coaching and competitions.
- Take in interest in whom their child is playing with and introduce themselves, if they are playing with an adult they do not know.
- When leaving their child make sure they have made the necessary provisions for their requirements and for the weather conditions.
- Ensure that the event organiser has a contact number when parents are away from the event - a mobile would be preferable - and they should ensure that they leave their mobile switched on so that they can be contacted in an emergency.
- Ensure that all necessary contact numbers have been established.
- Advise the Golf Welfare Officer or Junior Organiser if their child has any particular needs (e.g. allergies, learning disabilities)
- Discuss any concerns regarding the organisation of activities or the behaviour of adults towards their children with the Golf Welfare Officer.
- Enquire if other adults and children who attend NCGP events are happy and confident with the procedures in place and that they know what to do about concerns.