Needingworth Tennis Club strives to ensure that all children (anyone under 18) and adults at risk are safeguarded from abuse and have an enjoyable tennis experience.

Bullying is defined as a range of abusive behaviour that is repeated and intended to hurt someone either physically or emotionally.

This document sets out how to help prevent bullying from happening to all children and adults at risk. It also sets out how to make sure bullying is stopped as soon as possible if it does happen and that those involved receive the support they need. It also provides information to all staff, volunteers, children, and their families about what should be done to prevent and deal with bullying.

This policy applies to all staff, coaches, volunteers, and other adults associated with Needingworth Tennis Club.

We recognise that:

• Bullying causes real distress. It can affect a person’s health and development and, at the extreme, can cause significant harm.
• All children and adults at risk, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
• Everyone has a role to play in preventing all forms of bullying (including online) and putting a stop to bullying.

We will seek to keep children and adults at risk safe by:

• Recognising that bullying is closely related to how we respect and recognise the value of diversity.
• Recognising our duty of care and responsibility towards safeguarding
• Promoting and implement this anti-bullying policy in addition to our safeguarding policy and procedures.
• Ensuring that bullying behaviour is not tolerated or condoned.
• Taking action to respond and deal with any reports of bullying towards children.
• Encouraging children to play a part in developing and adopting appropriate behaviours.
• Making sure our response to incidents of bullying considers:
  • the needs of the person being bullied.
  • the needs of the person displaying bullying behaviour
  • the needs of others who may be affected.
  • Needingworth Tennis Club as a whole

Players, parents, coaches, volunteers, and other members of staff will:

• Encourage individuals to speak out about bullying behaviour and report incidents of bullying behaviour they see to the Welfare Officer / County Safeguarding Officer (or suitable alternative county representative, e.g. county coach, tournament organiser etc).
• Respect every child’s need for, and right to, a play environment where safety, security, praise, recognition, and opportunity for taking responsibility are available.
• Respect the feelings and views of others.
• Recognise that everyone is important and equal, and that our differences make each of us special and worthy of being valued.
• Show appreciation of others by acknowledging individual qualities, contributions, and progress
• Ensure safety by having rules and practices carefully explained and displayed for all to see.

Supporting Children

 We’ll let children know who will listen to and support them:

• We’ll create an “open door” ethos where children feel confident to talk to an adult about bullying behaviour.
• Potential barriers to talking (including those associated with a child’s disability or impairment) will be acknowledged and addressed at the outset to enable children to speak out.
• Anyone who reports an incident of bullying will be listened to carefully and reports will be taken seriously.
• Any reported experience of bullying behaviour will be investigated and will involve listening carefully to all those involved.
• Children experiencing bullying behaviour will be supported and helped to uphold their right to play and live in a safe environment.
• Those who display bullying behaviour will be supported and encouraged to develop better relationships.
• We’ll make sure that any sanctions are proportionate and fair.

Support to the parents/carers:

• Any experience of bullying behaviour will be discussed with the child’s parents or carers.
• Parents will be consulted on action to be taken (for both victim and bully)
• Information and advice on coping with bullying will be made available.
• Support will be offered to parents, including information from other agencies or support lines.

Related policies and procedures:

This policy should be read alongside Needingworth Tennis Club's policies and procedures, including:

• Safeguarding policy
• Diversity and inclusion policy
• Code of conduct for staff and volunteers
• Online safety and communication policy
• Photography and filming policy

Useful contacts:

• LTA safeguarding@lta.org.uk
• NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000
• Childline 0800 1111 / www.childline.org.uk
• Kidscape www.kidscape.org.uk
• Anti-Bullying Alliance www.antibullyingalliance.org

This policy will be reviewed every two years (or earlier if there is a change in national legislation)