Appleton Roebuck TC Self Assessment Safeguarding Standards Report 2022 - 10.11.22

Dear Members,                                                                                                                                                                                                           March 2023

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who completed the LTA Safeguarding Survey. This was an important part of the Safeguarding Support Visit process, so your time and feedback is greatly appreciated.

As Welfare Officer, I have had the support of Kath Temple and Suzanne Webb. We are the sub-committee for Welfare and Safeguarding. We have been working over the past year to discuss and implement various policies and documents, in accordance with LTA guidelines.

We have worked through the quite lengthy Safeguarding Support Visit form last autumn, identifying areas that needed some attention and providing documentation as evidence of procedures already in place. At this point, I would particularly like to thank Kath Temple for her technological expertise in attaching all the documentation to the online form. This was a very time- consuming part of the process, and we are indebted to her for all the time and effort it took to fulfil this task.

At last year’s AGM, Kath took over the role of Secretary from Geoff Bullock, who had done a wonderful job for many years not only as secretary, but in creating and managing the ARTC website. He suggested at this point that it would be easier, going forward, to change the website to Clubspark. Consequently, Geoff and Kath have worked for many hours over recent months transferring all our documentation to the new website.

The Safeguarding Support Meeting with Hannah Knox, our LTA Regional Safeguarding Officer, took the form of a Teams meeting, with Kath and me, via video link on Friday 16 December. Her subsequent report arrived on 11 January. Since then, we have been working hard to implement and document any outstanding actions required, so that we are fully prepared for the new season.

I would like to draw the attention of all members to the following changes:

• There are now revised membership categories and membership forms for Adult, Young adult, Family, Junior and Day Membership on the website.  You will see that when renewing your subscription for the coming season there are a number of statements to agree to as a condition of membership. We would like everyone to complete the new membership form on www.artc.org.uk  in order to ensure that you are all aware of our updated Safeguarding guidelines in line with LTA standards. You will find a checklist of consents signposting all our Safeguarding Policies on the club webpage.

• The Club Rules have been updated at the Extraordinary General Meeting in January ’23 to incorporate improved safeguarding awareness and guidelines.

•  Codes of Conduct are displayed on the noticeboard on the entrance to the courts, as well as in the clubhouse and on the website. There are 2 versions for both adults and juniors.

• We have a new Welfare Officer email address at welfare@artc.org.uk so that the Welfare Officer, Chris Howat, can be contacted in strict confidence.

•  Safeguarding posters are displayed on court as well as in the clubhouse windows.

• Detailed Risk assessments are now in place for all organised activities and events.

• We have introduced a Coaching Induction Policy and Agreement to ensure that coaches follow our ARTC Safeguarding guidelines in their delivery. We are also instigating an Induction Programme for new committee members to ensure we have all undergone Safeguard training.

• In addition, we have revised our Welcome letters to both potential adult and junior members.

• We now an Online Safety and Communication Policy adapted to cover Facebook and social media.

• Reporting a Concern forms for bullying/ accidents/safeguarding incidents can be found under Safeguarding on the club website as well as paper copies in the clubhouse.

ARTC’s objective is to safeguard the well-being of all children and vulnerable adults, at all times. We trust that, having put all these measures in place, we are able to deliver a positive and enjoyable tennis experience for you all.

Thank you.

Chris Howat (Welfare Officer and Chair)