Safeguarding

As a club, we take the safeguarding of adults and children very seriously.

Please find details of our Welfare Officer, Safeguarding Policy and the process of reporting a concern on the menu above.

Please see our Code of Conduct below, which applies to everyone who plays or coaches at the Academy.

Safe and Inclusive Code of Conduct

All employees, 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 and in the implementation of its child protection policy and procedures.

Those working in the club should at all times:

  • Prioritise the well-being of all 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: enjoyment and 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.