Safeguarding

Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Policy

  1. Policy statement

The Aboyne Tennis Club is committed to prioritising the well-being of all children and adults at risk, promoting safeguarding in our club at all times, including all programmes and events we run. This Policy strives to minimise risk, deliver a positive tennis experience for everyone and respond appropriately to all safeguarding concerns/disclosures. 

2.    Use of terminology

Child: a person under the age of eighteen years. 

Note that some legislation in Scotland defines a child as a person under sixteen years old. However, where there is any safeguarding concern, anyone under the age of 18 is regarded as a child unless advised otherwise by the LTA Safeguarding Team . 

Adult at risk of abuse or neglect: a person aged eighteen years or over who is, or may be, in need of community care services by reason of disability, age or illness; and is, or may be, unable to take care of, or unable to protect him or herself against abuse or neglect. 

Safeguarding children: protecting children from abuse and neglect, preventing the impairment of children’s health or development, ensuring that they grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances.

Safeguarding adults at risk: protecting adults from abuse and/or neglect. Enabling adults to maintain control over their lives and make informed choices without coercion. Empowering adults at risk, consulting them before taking action, unless someone lacks the capacity to make a decision, or their mental health poses a risk to their own or someone else’s safety, in which case, always acting in his or her best interests.  

  1. Scope

This Policy is applicable to all staff, volunteers, committee members, coaches and club membersand any persons attending coaching, events, matches or competitions. It is in line with national legislation and applicable across the UK.

Advice, guidance and support is available from the LTA Safeguarding Team.

  1. Responsibility for the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure

SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY: NOT RESPONDING TO A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN IS NOT AN OPTION.

  • Our club’s committee has overall accountability for this Policy and its implementation
  • Our club Welfare Officer is responsible for updating this Policy in line with legislative and club developments  
  • All individuals involved in/present at the club are required to adhere to the Policy and Code of Conduct 
  • The LTA Safeguarding Team and Tennis Scotland, Tennis Wales and Tennis Foundation Safeguarding Leads can offer support to help clubs proactively safeguard.

Where there is a safeguarding concern/disclosure:

  • The individual who is told about, hears, or is made aware of the concern/disclosure is responsible for following the Reporting a Safeguarding Concern Procedure. Unless someone is in immediate danger, they should inform their club Welfare Officer, LTA Safeguarding Team or National Safeguarding Lead.
  • The club Welfare Officer and Safeguarding Leads are responsible for reporting safeguarding concerns to the LTA Safe Safeguarding Team.
  • The LTA Safeguarding Team is responsible for assessing all safeguarding concern/disclosures that are reported to them and working with the club Welfare Officer and national Safeguarding Leads to follow up as appropriate on a case-by-case basis, prioritising the well-being of the child/ adult at risk at all times. Dependent on the concern/disclosure, a referral may be made to:
  • The police in an emergency (999);
  • Local Authority Children’s Services Aberdeenshire social work 013398 700417 out of hours 03456081206
  • Local Authority Adult Services Aberdeenshire social work 013398 700417 out of hours 03456081206
  • Designated Officer (England only) for concerns/disclosures about a member of staff, consultant, coach, official or volunteer
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (or Disclosure Scotland; Adult Social Work Team or Health and Social Service Department (Channel Islands) for concerns/disclosures about a member of staff, consultant, coach, official or volunteer Disclosure Scotland Helpline 0870 6096006
  1. Breaches of the Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure

Breaches of this Policy and/or failure to comply with the outlined responsibilities may result in the following:

  • Disciplinary action leading to possible dismissal and legal action;
  • Termination of current and future roles within the club and roles in other clubs, the LTA, Tennis Wales, Tennis Scotland and the Tennis Foundation.

Actions taken by staff, consultants, volunteers, officials, coaches inside or outside of the club that are seen to contradict this Policy may be considered a violation of this Policy.

Where an appeal is lodged in response to a safeguarding decision made by the club, the individual should adhere to the club’s appeal procedure [for guidance on developing an appeal procedure – see the LTA's What’s the Score toolkit].

 

This Policy is reviewed every two years (or earlier if there is a change in national legislation). 

Policy approved by:

Club Committee Chair : Tamara Sebire   Date: 2022

Club Welfare Officer : Craig Mitchell       Date: 2022