Here at Widnes Tennis Club (WTC) we are wholly committed to ensuring that everyone, adult or child, can enjoy tennis in a safe, caring environment. As an LTA Registered Venue, we have adopted the LTA Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, which are overseen by our club Welfare Officer, Dr Ian Schofield, Chair of the Widnes Tennis Club Committee. If you need to contact Ian, at any time, please call 07540 999100.

Our Safeguarding Policy is displayed on the safeguarding notice board in the club. Please feel free to take a look next time you visit us.

Yours, and your family’s safety, is our greatest priority. You will find a summary of the policy and procedures below.

Joseph Grimes

Chair of Directors WTC

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 wellbeing of all children and adults
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person
• 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: enjoy; respect
• Place the wellbeing 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.

Concern Reporting Procedure

Anyone who is concerned about the wellbeing of a child/adult at risk or has a disclosure of abuse or neglect made to them must: Respond - Refer - Record.

Contact details

Club Welfare Officer
Dr Ian Schofield – 07540 999100

Deputy Welfare Officer
Joseph Grimes – 07785 238096