Midlothian County Ladies Golf Association is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children in its care. It recognises the responsibility to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation. Staff and volunteers will work together to embrace difference and diversity, and respect the rights of children and young people by adhering the SportScotland Child Protection Standards

Please refer to the below guidelines for MCLGA’s commitment to protecting children.

These guidelines are based on the followings principles:

• The welfare of children is the primary concern.
• All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, socio-economic status, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from all forms of harm and abuse.
• Child protection is everyone’s responsibility.
• Children have the right to express views on all matters which affect them, should they wish to do so.
• Organisations shall work in partnership together with children and parents to promote the welfare, health and development of children.

The organisation will:

• Promote the health and welfare of children by providing opportunities for them to take part in golf safely.
• Respect and promote the rights, wishes and feelings of children.
• Promote and implement appropriate procedures to safeguard the well being of children and protect them from abuse, including subscribing to a Code of Conduct.
• Recruit, train, support and supervise its staff, members and volunteers to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect children from abuse and to reduce risk to themselves.
• Require staff, members and volunteers to adopt and abide by this Child Protection Policy and these procedures.
• Respond to any allegations of misconduct or abuse of children in line with this Policy and these procedures as well as implementing, where appropriate, the relevant disciplinary and appeals procedures.
• Regularly monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Policy and these procedures.

Review

This Policy and these Procedures will be regularly reviewed:

• In accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection of children or following any changes within the organisation
• Following any issues or concerns raised about the protection of children within the organisation.
• In all other circumstances, at least every three years.

Child Protection Officer: Margaret McPherson

Contact : childprotectionofficer@mclga.com