you are in › Home › Club Services › Child & Adult Protection

Safe Recruitment

The vast majority of coaches, officials/helpers are committed, dedicated people who are motivated to work within the sport for commendable reasons. However it is important that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that unsuitable people or people with an inappropriate motivation are prevented from working with children. The procedures within the Guidelines for Child Protection document should be followed.

Self Declaration – is the first and very important step in the recruitment process. It provides the SGU with information which allows us to make an informed decision as to a person’s suitability to work with children and to keep those who are unsuitable or barred out of our sport. It is also very important to ensure that those who may have a criminal conviction are not discriminated against, hence the reason for this form to be completed.

Disclosure Scotland Certificates - there is now only one type of disclosure – Enhanced. This is the highest level of disclosure available to Governing Bodies for those working in a “child care position” as defined in The Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003 “A child care position whose normal duties include caring for, training, supervising or are sole charge of children”. A golf club may wish to obtain disclosures for the professionals and volunteer coaches, junior organisers, child protection officer and other volunteers involved with the operation of the junior section.

Disclosure Scotland checks are only one part of a thorough recruitment process that should be used when taking on new staff or volunteers in positions involving contact with children. References and self declarations should also be obtained. See Section 3 of the Guidelines for Child Protection for further information on the recruitment and selection of those working with children.

The SGU provides a centralised police vetting service on behalf of all member Areas and Clubs who wish to utilise this service when appointing its own volunteers/officials. Disclosures are free for volunteers. The SGU would recommend the Secretary/Manager along with the club CPO be registered as a verifier. If your club would like to use this service please contact Kevin Fish by emailing k.fish@scottishgolf.org for more information.

Also available to download (from Related Documents):

Guidance Notes for completing a Disclosure Application Form
Guidance Notes for the CPO/Secretary when completing Part E of the form
Cover Sheet for ID evidence (completed by CPO/Secretary)
Self Declaration Form