Ketton Tennis Club

Safeguarding

POLICY STATEMENT AND SCOPE

Ketton Tennis Club recognises our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children (anyone under 18) and adults at risk. We are committed to ensuring oursafeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and with LTA safeguarding standards, which can be found here: https://www.lta.org.uk/about-us/safeguarding/venue-standards/.

We are committed to prioritising the well-being of children and adults at risk and providing a safe and welcoming environment where they are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children and adults at risk receive effective support and protection.

We recognise that health, well-being, ability, disability and need for care and support can affect a person’s resilience.  We recognise that some people experience barriers, for example, to communication in raising concerns or seeking help.   We recognise that these factors can vary at different points in people’s lives.

We recognise that there is a legal framework within which sport needs to work to safeguard adultsat risk and will act in accordance with the relevant safeguarding adult legislation and with local statutory,safeguardingprocedures.

Actions taken by us will be consistent with the principles of adult safeguarding ensuring that any action taken is prompt, proportionate and that it includes and respects the voice of the adult concerned. 

This policy applies to any person who plays, coaches, officiates, works, volunteers, or otherwise participates (or visits) at our venue.

We expect contractors and partner organisations, including for example, suppliers and sponsors to adopt and demonstrate their commitment to the principles and practice as set out in this Policy and associated procedures.

All bound by this policy are responsible for upholding high standards of conduct and professionalism and raising safeguarding concerns and allegations in accordance with the Reporting a Safeguarding Concern Procedures.

POLICY PRINCIPLES

• The safety and welfare of children and adults at risk is paramount 

• All children and adults at risk, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse

• Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility

• All safeguarding concerns or allegations will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately 

• We strive to create a culture and environment where everyone is empowered to protect themselves and others and feel able to raise concerns

• We actively promote working together to ensure all children and adults at risk are safeguarded

Reporting a Concern

Anyone who is concerned about the well-being of a child/ adult at risk, or has a disclosure of abuse or neglect made to them should contact either:

• Club Welfare Officer - Geoff Woolley gw2210@outlook.com 0786035041
• NSPCC - 0808 800 5000
• LTA safeguarding team using link below

via https://safeguardingconcern.lta.org.uk/

Supporting Documents

Safeguarding policy for Ketton Tennis Club and 'how to report a concern ' information is also available in hard copy on the notice board in the clubhouse.

Diversity and Inclusion Policy

The club’s Safeguarding Policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children and adults at risk are paramount in all circumstances.  It aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion, ethnicity, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children and adults:

• Have a positive and enjoyable experience of tennis at the Club in a safe and inclusive environment.
• Are protected from abuse whilst participating in tennis.

Safe and Inclusive Code of Conduct

Any employee, those under contractual arrangements, club officials, volunteers, members and others using the club facilities are required to abide by this Code of Conduct. This is required in order to support the club in providing a welcoming and safe environment for all children and young people in the implementation of its child protection policy and procedures.

• Prioritise and promote the safety and well-being of all ‘at risk’ children and adults at all times
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person within the context of our sports
• Display high standards of behaviour.  Always work in an open environment (i.e. avoid private, or unobserved, situations). Act with integrity at all times
• Help to create a safe and inclusive environment both on and off court and promote the Fair Play values: enjoy; respect
• Place the well-being and safety of children above the development of performance
• Value and celebrate diversity and make all reasonable efforts to meet individual needs
• Keep clear boundaries between your professional and personal life, including on social media
• Check you have the relevant consent from parents/carers, children and adults before taking or using photos and videos
• Ensure your own roles and responsibilities, and those of everyone you are responsible for, are clearly outlined and everyone has the information, training and support to carry them out
• Where possible, do not be alone with a child or adult at risk (NB LTA guidance does allow for public 1 to 1 coaching as defined within the good practice guidelines)
• Coaches and volunteers must take positive action to protect both themselves and raise concerns if they feel uncomfortably placed in a position of working alone and/or unsupervised
• Do not abuse, neglect, harm or discriminate against anyone; or act in a way that may be interpreted as such
• Doing nothing is NOT an option: report all concerns and disclosures as soon as possible, following the Concern Reporting Procedure. If someone is in immediate danger, call the police (999)

The Code of Conduct should be interpreted in a spirit of integrity, transparency and common sense, with the best interests of children and adults at risk as the primary consideration.

Whistleblowing

Anyone who does not feel comfortable raising a concern with the Tennis Welfare Officer should contact the LTA Safeguarding team directly via safeguarding concern.lta.org.uk , the Local Authority Designated officer (LADO) or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.  Further details about whistleblowing can be found on the club’s safeguarding policy.

Monitoring

The club’s Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed every two years, or sooner in the following circumstances:

• Changes in Legislation and/or Government Guidance
• As required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board or LTA
• As a result of any other significant change of event