Safeguarding & Code of Conduct
Safeguarding
Encore! Tennis Safeguarding Policy Statement
Encore! Tennis acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk. 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 to DOWNLOAD HERE
Our safeguarding policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children and adults at risk 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 Encore! Tennis in a safe and inclusive environment
• are protected from abuse whilst participating in tennis.
Encore! Tennis 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 Encore! Tennis 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
• 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.
Our policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved at Encore! Tennis. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed and may result in dismissal/exclusion from our clubs.
All players using the playground facilities at Carlisle Park during break times will always be supervised by an Encore Tennis coach. Encore Tennis accepts no responsiblity for accidents that may occur when children are using the playground equipment as they are doing so at their ow n risk. Children must obtain a parent consent before each camp booking for using playground equipment.
Monitoring
The club’s safeguarding policy will be reviewed every three 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.
Encore Tennis
LTA Code of Conduct For Working with Children
Encore Tennis commits itself to the following code of conduct:
Those working with children in tennis should:
- Be professional and maintain the highest standards of personal behaviour at all times.
- Recognise the trust placed in adults by children, and recognise the power held over children by adults. Treat this trust and this power with the highest responsibility.
- Try to work in an open and accountable manner at all times. Work in view of others wherever possible, be wary of working alone and unobserved, and be willing to accept questions or criticism regarding good practice.
- Expect others to work in an open and accountable manner. Question and criticise the practice of others if necessary.
- Maintain a professional relationship with children. Any form of sexual relationship or activity with a child is unacceptable and could lead to disciplinary or legal action.
- Not be under the influence of drink, drugs or any illegal substance.
- Use appropriate and respectful forms of discipline and communication. Physical aggression, intimidation, verbal abuse and persistent shouting are not acceptable. Any form of assault (e.g. hitting, kicking, pinching, slapping) should be regarded as a serious incident.
- Use appropriate language. Don’t swear, and never make sexual or suggestive comments to a child. If a child makes such comments, be prepared to enforce these boundaries in your response.
- Not appear to favour one child or show interest in one child more than another.
- Not discriminate against a child because of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious belief or sexual identity.
- Use physical contact with players only where necessary. If contact is necessary, (e.g. for the purposes of coaching or first-aid), then explain to the child what the contact is for, and change your approach if he or she appears uncomfortable.
- Design and use training methods and training programmes that are appropriate to the individual child.
- Be aware of situations that could be misunderstood or manipulated by other adults. For example, if a coach or official is alone with a child in a clubhouse, changing room or car, he or she may be vulnerable to allegations of misconduct.
- Be vigilant and aware of how actions can be misinterpreted by children. Actions made with good intentions can seem intrusive or intimidating to some children. Sometimes children become attracted to the adults working with them. Adults should be aware of the impact of their actions, and should sensitively address any misunderstanding.
If a concern about a child’s welfare comes to your attention:
- Take seriously any suspicion or allegation of abuse, or any disclosure of concern made by a child (or adult).
- Record information, including relevant details. Be sure to record opinions or feelings as such; do not record them as facts. Do not question or interview the people involved in the incident of concern.
- Report any concerns within the area of Child Protection (physical, emotional or sexual abuse, neglect or bullying), in confidence and without delay, to your club, county or LTA Child Protection Officer. If CPOs cannot be contacted and there appears to be an immediate risk, contact the police or your local social services.
- Never discuss an allegation or suspicion with another person, (other than the police or social services), before receiving advice from the club, county or LTA Child Protection Officer.
Remember that it is the responsibility of all adults to safeguard children in sport. By recognising,
following and discussing the principles behind this code, you are helping to make bad practice and
abuse unwelcome in tennis.
For more information on issues like these, see the range of guidance resources produced by the
LTA Safeguarding Team. Go to https://www.lta.org.uk/about-us/safeguarding-protection/ or contact the department
directly using the details below.
LTA Safeguarding Team
T: 020 8487 7000