Policy 

1. Policy statement

The Hanbury Lawn 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 Safe and Inclusive Tennis 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.  

(See appendix A for full glossary of terms).

3. Scope

This Policy is applicable to all volunteers, committee members, coaches and club It is in line with national legislation and applicable across the UK.

Guidance on implementing the policy is outlined in the following documents:

• Safe and Inclusive British Tennis toolkit

Advice, guidance and support is available from the LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team.

4. Responsibility for the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Standards, 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, Janet Swift, 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 Safe and Inclusive Tennis 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 Safeguarding Reporting Procedure. Unless someone is in immediate danger, they should inform their club Welfare Officer, LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team or National Safeguarding Lead (page 2)

• The club Welfare Officer and Safeguarding Leads are responsible for reporting safeguarding concerns to the LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team

• The LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis 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:

o The police in an emergency (999);

o Local Authority Children’s Services www.wolverhampton.gov.uk – 01902-551199

o Local Authority Adult Services www.wolverhampton.gov.uk – 01902-551199

o Designated Officer (England only) for concerns/disclosures about a coach, official or volunteer(Janet Swift 07754 062369 or 01952 691115]

o 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 03000 200 190

o The LTA Safeguarding and Protection Committee for advice and guidance.

Full policy available here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F-Nd1uesMSvon_qsSGBPU_Q68GgICqb1/view