Safeguarding

Safeguarding within Haddington Tennis Club

Safeguarding was reviewed at an HTC committee meeting on 18/01/24. No safeguarding issues were reported.
 

SAFEGUARDING AND PROTECTING YOUNG PEOPLE POLICY - For full policy

Haddington Tennis Club [HTC] adopts this Safeguarding and Protecting Young People Policy and will work  with the following definitions:

Tennis Family all individuals, clubs, associations, and other organisations involved in any capacity in the game of tennis, and whether or not members of HTC.  For the avoidance of doubt, this includes all players and anyone working within tennis (in a paid or voluntary capacity, and whether as an employee or on a self-employed or other work basis) including all coaches, umpires, referees and other officials.

Young People anyone under the age of 18

HTC is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment for all young people involved in tennis.  It accepts its responsibility to help safeguard the welfare of all young people and protect them from poor practice, abuse and bullying.

HTC recognises that every individual and organisation within the Tennis Family has a role and responsibility to help ensure the safety and welfare of young people. The Tennis Family is defined below.

HTC as a provider of opportunities for young people in tennis accepts that we are required to fulfil our duty of care which means that we must do everything that can be reasonably expected of us to help safeguard and protect young people from any reasonably foreseeable harm. 

Obligations under this policy:      Everyone within HTC must act in accordance with:

  •  the general principles set out in this policy; and
  •  the principles set out in the particular policies below, together with the supporting good practice document:

- The recruitment of persons working with young people

- The use of CRB checks in recruitment and employment

- Anti-bullying

- Taking and use of photographic and recorded images of young people;

Affiliation to the Scottish Lawn Tennis Association [SLTA] will evidence agreement of these obligations by the club and members of HTC will evidence agreement by the Tennis Family.

Everyone within HTC must also:

  • Abide by the SLTA’s Code of Ethics which specifies conduct in relation to the safeguarding of young people within tennis among other issues
  • Follow the appropriate reporting procedures where there are concerns relating to the safety or welfare.

For clarity, policies, procedures and good practice relating to the safeguarding of young people in tennis need to be applied both in relation to activities for young people specifically and where young people may be involved within the adult game.  Eg. where players or umpires under 18 years of age are incorporated into adult team tennis.

HTC follows the SLTA’s recommended Reporting Procedures .

General Safeguarding and Protecting Young People Principles:

  • The safety and welfare of young people is paramount
  • All young people, regardless of age, ability, sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic origin, social status or sexual orientation have the right to be protected from harm
  • The rights, dignity and worth of all young people should always be respected
  • HTC wishes to promote a telling culture. Everyone within tennis must therefore report all concerns in accordance with Tennis’s reporting procedures.
  • It is the responsibility of child protection experts to determine whether or not abuse has taken place but it is everyone’s responsibility in tennis to report concerns
  • The roles, responsibilities and procedures of the statutory agencies in safeguarding young people are recognised.
  • Any policy or procedure is only as effective as the ability and skill of those who operate it
  • HTC is committed to encouraging, and everyone within tennis must recognise and regard as essential,the effective and safe recruitment of all individuals working with young people in tennis
  • All those working in tennis, in a paid or voluntary capacity, must abide by SLTA’s Code of Ethics

Diversity and Inclusion Policy - For full Equality and Diversity policy click here

Haddington Tennis Club's Diversity and Inclusion Policy supports our overall aims for diversity and inclusion that are to ensure that:

  • Tennis is diverse and inclusive
  • Diversity and inclusion are embedded in our club’s culture and our behaviours
  • We create a culture where inclusive leadership thrives
  • We take a proactive approach using positive action to ensure that communities and individuals are valued and able to achieve their full potential.

Whistleblowing Policy

If you have any concerns about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, or have a disclosure of abuse or neglect, please contact the Haddington Tennis Club Welfare Officer in the first instance.

Brian East                HTC Welfare Officer   (01620 824750)

The Welfare Officer and committee of HTC will treat any notification of unacceptable behaviour brought to its attention with seriousness and where sought, confidentiality. 

Any such matter will be investigated and if found to be valid, appropriate action will be taken.

The committee will seek to ensure that there are no adverse actions taken against any person who brings a valid matter to its attention