Safeguarding Policy

At Wanborough Tennis Club we take our Safeguarding responsibilities seriously. 

Wanborough Tennis Club acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults.  The club is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and LTA requirements.  A copy of the club’s full safeguarding policy is available from Club Secretary, Melanie Brough and on the above link to WTC Safeguarding Policy 

Our Welfare Officer is Karen Hawkins

You can contact her on 07799 856000

If you have any concerns about Safeguarding issues or wish to report a concern please do not hesitate to contact Karten Hawkins, Safeguarding Officer.  Karen  will be very happy to help you. 

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

• have a positive and enjoyable experience of tennis at Wanborough in a safe and inclusive environment
• are protected from abuse whilst participating in tennis.

Wanborough Tennis Club acknowledges that some children, including disabled children and young people or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.  

As part of our safeguarding policy Wanborough Tennis Club will:

• promote and prioritise the safety and well-being of children and adults at risk
• ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and adults at risk
• encourage and maintain a culture where people feel able to raise a genuine safeguarding concern and are confident that it will be taken seriously
• ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern
• ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored
• prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals
• ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation

To report a concern directly to the LTA please follow this link to the LTA Reporting Form.

The club’s policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in Wanborough Tennis Club. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed and may result in dismissal/exclusion from the club.

Whistleblowing Policy

What is whistle blowing?

In the context of safeguarding, “whistle blowing” is when someone raises a concern about the well-being of a child or an adult at risk.

A whistle blower may be:

• a player;
• a volunteer;
• a coach;
• other member of staff;
• an official;
• a parent;
• a member of the public.

How to raise a concern about a child or an adult at risk at the club

If a child or an adult at risk is in immediate danger or risk of harm, the police should be contacted by calling 999.

Where a child or an adult at risk is not in immediate danger, any concerns about their well-being should be made without delay to the Club Welfare Officer. The Club Welfare Officer will pass the details of the concern on to the LTA Safeguarding Team at the earliest opportunity and the relevant local authority and the police will be contacted, where appropriate. KAREN HAWKINS (the Wanborough Tennis Club Welfare Officer) can be contacted on: 07799 856 000   ladybarkerhawkins@gmail.com 

If, however, the whistle blower does not feel comfortable raising a concern with the Club Welfare Officer, the whistle blower should contact the LTA Safeguarding Team directly on 020 8487 7000, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. Alternatively, contact the Swindon Local Authority (Swindon Multi Agency Safeguarding Partnership) using the contact details 01793 463555 

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 or event.

Latest review completed   JUNE  2023

Review May 2025.