Children First
Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017) is a national policy document which assists people in identifying and reporting child abuse. It describes the four main types of abuse and sets out the steps which should be taken to ensure that the child or young person is protected from harm. Children First is for everyone; “It is intended to assist you, whether you are a member of the public, a professional, employee or volunteer in identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect, and to deal effectively with these concerns. It also sets out the statutory responsibilities for mandated persons and organisations under the Children First Act 2015 and provides information about how the statutory agencies respond to reports of concerns made about children.” (p3)
An Addendum to the Children First National Guidance in January 2019 amended the guidance to ensure that online safety is specifically accounted for in child safeguarding statements.
Children First Compliance
Please see the following supporting documentation and instructions on how Golf Clubs can comply with the Children First Act 2015.
This is a mandatory process that all organisations providing services to children must complete.
The following are the steps to compliance:
Step 1 - Review the Risk Assessment Document
- The risk assessment has been pre-populated for you to review at your Golf Club's Committee meeting.
- Each risk identified must be ranked; High, Medium or Low. The supporting policies and guidance have been indicated for you
- Once each risk is ranked, you must consider the factors in place to reduce the risk and any further action you can take to lower it.
- You can include other risks of potential harm that are specific to your Golf Club
- After you review your Risk Assessment, minute it at your meeting and get your Chairperson and Children’s Officer to sign and date it.
Step 2 – Child Safeguarding Statement
- When step one is completed review your Child Safeguarding Statement and sign the document.
- As per Section 11 of the Children First Act 2015, you are required to display your Child Safeguarding Statement in a prominent place in your Golf Club (notice board, public area, website etc.).
- We suggest that you also distribute your signed Child Safeguarding Statement to all parents by mail/email/web or social media on an annual basis. (Perhaps as a part of membership process).
NOTE: It is the responsibility of every Golf Club Management Committee to comply with the Children First legislation by completing the above steps.