Medstead Lawn Tennis Club Safeguarding Policy Statement

Purpose and Scope

Medstead Lawn Tennis Club (MLTC) and its members have a 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 our safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and with LTA standards.

We are committed to ensursing the well-being of children and adults at risk and providing a safe, inclusive, accessible 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 both on and off court.

Copies of our full safeguarding policy and Diversity and Inclusion policy are available via the links. They are also in the Members Information File at the Clubhouse, and sent out to members in the annual membership pack.

The purpose of this policy statement is to: 

• Protect children and adults at risk (including children of adults who use our services) from harm 
• Provide the necessary information to enable people to meet their safeguarding responsibilities 
• Deliver good practice and high safeguarding standards , and
• Outline our commitment to safeguarding children and adults at risk 

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

Raising a Safeguarding Concern

Any concerns should be raised to our Welfare Officer(s) via medsteadtennissafeguarding@gmail.com.  If they are unavailable or a safeguarding concern relates to them, the concerns should be referred directly to the LTA via https://safeguardingconcern.lta.org.uk/.

We Recognise that

• the welfare of children and adults at risk is paramount  
• working in partnership with children, their parents/carers and adults at risk is essential in promoting their welfare  
• all children and adults at risk, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief or lack of belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
• some children and adults at risk, including LGBTQ+ people, disabled people or people from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and additional measures and safeguards may be needed to ensure their welfare.

We will Seek to Keep Children and Adults at Risk Safe by

• promoting and prioritising their safety and well-being 
• appointing a Welfare Officer with responsibility for safeguarding in our venue 
• ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate induction and learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and adults at risk 
• safely recruiting and selecting staff, coaches and volunteers
• promoting and maintaining a positive safeguarding culture where people feel able to raise a genuine concerns and are confident they will be taken seriously 
• ensuring appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support is provided to individuals who raise or disclose the concern 
• maintaining  and securely storing confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns 
• preventing the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals 
• having in place a process to deal with complaints and whistleblowing measures, and 
• ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in place for other activities, including coaching, competitions, holiday camps, social activities, online activity and social media, transportation and supervision 

This policy was last reviewed in October 2024 and will be reviewed every year (or earlier if there is a change in national legislation).  

Chairperson:       James Bowling                                           Date: 15th October 2024

Welfare Officers: Emma Rendall and Anna Copping            Date: 15th October 2024