It is important that clubs and counties make sure that those working with children are suitable to do so. The CPSU has guidance on the safe recruitment of individuals in sport and Wales Golf strongly recommend clubs and counties follow the advice, which is available on the CPSU website.
As part of our commitment to safeguarding in sport, Wales Golf uses the Welsh Sports Association (WSA) DBS Checking Service for Sport & Leisure. The service is run through its trading arm Vibrant Nation, and provides bilingual, online DBS checks (Disclosure and Barring Service, formally CRB).
Sian Simmons, Wales Golf Lead Safeguarding Officer can also offer advice, call 01633 436040 or email sian.simmons@walesgolf.org
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority in December 2012, to become the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The DBS provides access to criminal and Police Records for employers so that they may make decisions about the suitability of individual members of staff and volunteers to work with children and vulnerable adults in specific roles.
The DBS also makes decisions regarding whether a person should be barred from working with children. In the case of some criminal convictions, that will lead to the guilty person being automatically barred from working with children, in other cases the DBS has to make a risk assessment decision. They also make decisions where there has been no criminal conviction, but there is sufficient information and grounds to warrant their decision.
The DBS produces “disclosures” for applicants working in “regulated activities” (see DBS Q&As section), which contain information about criminal convictions, cautions and in some individual’s risk to children to be made. It also states whether the individual has been barred from working with children.
What checks should golf clubs make on staff and volunteers now?
Checking someone’s criminal record is only one aspect of good recruitment practice – it doesn’t necessarily tell you whether there have been concerns about the person before that have not resulted in a Police caution or a conviction. For example, Vanessa George had a clear DBS check. Clubs should therefore not solely rely on DBS checks, but also take up references and make other background checks on staff and volunteers.
Clubs should continue to obtain DBS disclosures for staff and volunteers who work with children and/or vulnerable adults as a regular part of their duties.
Advice on good practice in checking the suitability of individuals to work with children can be found at on the CPSU website.
Wales Golf DBS Process
- If an individual requires a DBS check the club Secretary/Manager can request a form from Sian Simmons at Wales Golf Office (01633 436040 or sian.simmons@walesgolf.org)
- The individual will complete the form and send Sian Simmons copies of 3 form of identification which have been verified by the club Secretary/Manager.
- Alternatively, face to face checks can be obtained at the Wales Golf Offices in Newport.
- The club MUST request sight of the disclosure from the individual concerned PRIOR to the individual being recruited.
- If there is a positive disclosure the Golf Partners Case Management Group (CMG) will risk assess the disclosure and inform the club and individual of the recommended recruitment decision.
Alternative option
- The individual could send the disclosure directly to Wales Golf to be risk assessed by the Golf Partners CMG and the recommendation regarding recruitment from the RISK ASSESSMENT will be sent to the individual and to the club.
The process:
- Helps organisation provide a sound recruitment process, thus improving safeguards.
- Ensures that information goes to the person(s) who need to ensure effective risk management.
- Arguably, could deter suitable volunteers who would not wish their peers to be aware of potentially sensitive information that may be disclosed but does not impact on child protection.
Alternative option:
- Ensures an objective review of disclosure to assist with risk management.
- Ensures there is no compromise regarding irrelevant personal information.
Any queries please contact Sian Simmons, Lead Safeguarding Officer sian.simmons@walesgolf.org
Wales Golf is a member of the SafeGolf Strategic Group, which consists of members from the golfing bodies across Great Britain and has been set up to help golf respond to the issue of child protection in sport. Its mission is to safeguard the welfare of children and young people, as well as adults at risk, in the sport of golf. This will be achieved through the unique partnership which has the ability to influence and act as an advocate for safeguarding across the golfing landscape. Members of the SafeGolf Strategic Group include; Wales Golf, The Professional Golfers’ Association, England Golf, Scottish Golf , Confederation of Golf in Ireland, The R&A, Ladies European Tour, Golf Club Managers’ Association, The Golf Foundation and British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association.
Wales Golf is also a member of the Golf Partners Case Management Group. The CMG is made up of independent members who are volunteers with relevant safeguarding management experience and expertise, as well as the relevant lead officer from each member organisation. The primary role of the CMG is to offer advice and guidance in relation to safeguarding concerns and cases and to support the relevant member Golf organisations’ Safeguarding Leads in carrying out their role and responsibilities. When clubs refer any concerns or cases into Wales Golf a uniformed decision can be made at the CMG and the club will be supported through the process.