The LTA are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all children and adults attending tournaments and competitions.

To ensure this, our event safeguarding strategy includes:

1. Only utilising the services of DBS checked and safeguarding-trained LTA Licenced Officials or LTA Accredited Coaches
2. Promoting the responsibility for all participants to report any concerns, and the mechanisms for doing so.

Detailed safeguarding information is available on the LTA website, but this document provides a useful summary of the key information that parents, carers and players should be aware of.

SUPERVISION

In line with LTA guidance Events, Trips and Competitions guidance), a venue should be asked to confirm in advance of a competition its policy/rule on at what age children require supervision from their parent, guardian or another nominated adult. All participants should sign in at a competition on arrival and not leave the site without informing the Referee.

PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO CONSENT

Any individual intending to take photographs/video must have authorisation to do so from the Referee and in line with the LTA Photography and Filming Policy.

CODE OF CONDUCT

By participating in an LTA Approved Competition you agree to abide by the LTA Code of Conduct. The LTA Code of Conduct applies to players, officials and anyone attending a tennis competition (including but not limited to parents, guardians, other family members and spectators).

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING A CONCERN

The Referee has a duty of care to all competitors and will act in line with LTA policy to report any safeguarding concerns. All LTA licenced referees are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and have committed to the LTA Officials Code of Conduct.

If you have a safeguarding concern please raise this with;

• Any LTA Licenced Official at the competition
• The Welfare Officer for the venue/club. Details should be available on the club display/notice board at the venue along with their safeguarding information.
• Alternatively you can report a concern to the LTA Safeguarding team via the reporting portal https://safeguardingconcern.lta.org.uk/
• If you believe any individual to be in immediate danger, dial 999.
• NSPCC Childline 0800 1111 are also available for advice

PARENT SUPPORT

The LTA have produced an online resource for parents and carers containing key information to help them support their child when they are competing. Read “Ready, Play – an online guide to competition”. Parents can also visit the Parent Support area of LTA website to access further resources and workshops to support the parents of competitive tennis players.