POLICY AIMS

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Protect children (including children of adults who use our services) and adults at risk from harm
• Provide the necessary information to enable people to meet their safeguarding responsibilities
• Deliver good practice and high safeguarding standards
• Outline our commitment to safeguarding children and adults at risk

TRANSPORTATION

It is the responsibility of parents to ensure appropriate transport arrangements are in place for their children when travelling to and from the venue.  Similarly, it is the responsibility of the adult at risk (or their carer) to ensure transport arrangements are in place.

Coaches and other staff/volunteers are not responsible for transporting children or adults at risk to and from the venue or other locations (except if it is an emergency), unless it is as part of a venue organised trip in which case the following measures will be in place

• The adult at risk or child’s parents are informed of the destination, reason for the journey and who the driver will be
• The adult at risk or child’s parents return a completed consent form and the driver will have a copy of this and emergency contact details during the journey
• There will be two adults in the front of the car, irrespective of the number of children or adults at risk being transported.
• Children or adults at risk are always seated in the back of the vehicle
• If there is a mixture of female and male children or adults at risk, we will seek to have adults of matching gender where possible
• There is an established procedure in the event of a breakdown/emergency.
• The driver has a valid UK driving license, DBS/PVG, correct insurance, MOT certificate and complies with laws on the use of seatbelts and restraints

SUPERVISING CHILDREN

Children under the age of 11 years are required to have parental supervision whilst at our venue and not participating in any venue sessions, such as coaching lessons or tennis camps.

For coaching activities, we comply with the LTA guidance on coach-to-player ratios.  For children aged under 11, children must be delivered directly into the care of the coach by the parent and picked up directly from the coach. Please note that it is not enough to drop off outside or at the front door of the venue. Parents must ensure that their child has been delivered to the coach. Children under the stipulated age will not be allowed to leave a coaching session or camp unattended unless permission has been given in writing.

For other activities, e.g. away trips/matches, we will use the following adult-to-child ratios:

• 2:8 for children 10 and under
• 2:10 for children aged 11 and over

We may decide to have a greater adult-to-child ratio dependent on the needs of the children or identified risks. At least one of the supervising adults will, where possible, be the same gender as the children. Situations where a child has to leave a venue session, for example, to use the toilet, will also be supervised.

POSITIONS OF TRUST

A person aged 18 or older who holds a position of authority or responsibility over a child or adult at risk is in a position of trust. Positions of trust are not defined by a qualification or job title, but by reference to the activity which the adult is carrying out in relation to the child or adult at risk, namely, coaching, teaching, training, supervising or instructing (including as a volunteer) on a regular basis. People who are in a position of trust must be aware of the power imbalance they hold over children and adults at risk and not use this for personal advantage or gratification.

MAKING SAFEGUARDING PERSONAL

’Making Safeguarding Personal’ means engaging an adult at risk in a conversation about how best to respond to their situation in a way that enhances their involvement, choice and control, as well as improving their quality of life, well-being and safety. Their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs will be taken into account when decisions are made about how to support them to be safe and finding the solution that is right for them. Treating people with respect, enhancing their dignity and supporting their ability to make decisions also helps promote people's sense of self-worth and supports recovery from abuse.

If an adult at risk has difficulty making their views and wishes known, they can be supported or represented by an advocate.  This might be a safe family member or friend of their choice or a professional advocate (usually from a third sector organisation).

Being able to live free from abuse and neglect is a key element of well-being. Any actions taken to safeguard an adult must take their whole well-being into account and be proportionate to the risk of harm.

The above extract forms part of the full Safeguarding , Diversity and Inclusion Policy which can be accessed at the club office.

Welfare Officer: Kim Raymond

Contact: 07770 944609