SAFEGUARDING
Braughing Tennis Club 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 from our Welfare Officer (Mrs Alison Deeprose; safeguarding@braughingtennis.uk 07793 199506) and on our club website; www.braughingtennis.uk
The club’s 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 Braughing Tennis Club in a safe and inclusive environment
• are protected from abuse whilst participating in tennis.
Braughing 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 Braughing 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
• 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.
The club’s policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in Braughing Tennis Club. [Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed and may result in dismissal/exclusion from the club.
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.
June 2018
Welfare Officer, Alison Deeprose
1. Policy statement
Braughing Tennis Club is committed to prioritising the well-being of all children and adults at risk, promoting safeguarding in our club at all times, including all programmes and events we run. This Policy strives to minimise risk, deliver a positive tennis experience for everyone and respond appropriately to all safeguarding concerns/disclosures.
2. Use of terminology
Child: a person under the age of eighteen years.
Adult at risk of abuse or neglect: a person aged eighteen years or over who is, or may be, in need of community care services by reason of disability, age or illness; and is, or may be, unable to take care of, or unable to protect him or herself against abuse or neglect.
Safeguarding children: protecting children from abuse and neglect, preventing the impairment of children’s health or development, ensuring that they grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances.
Safeguarding adults at risk: protecting adults from abuse and/or neglect. Enabling adults to maintain control over their lives and make informed choices without coercion. Empowering adults at risk, consulting them before taking action, unless someone lacks the capacity to make a decision, or their mental health poses a risk to their own or someone else’s safety, in which case, always acting in his or her best interests.
(See appendix A for full glossary of terms).
3. Scope
This Policy is applicable to all committee members, coaches and club members. It is in line with national legislation and applicable across the UK.
Advice, guidance and support are available from the LTA Safeguarding Team.
4. Responsibility for the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure
SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY: NOT RESPONDING TO A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN IS NOT AN OPTION.
• Our club’s committee has overall accountability for this Policy and its implementation
• Our club Welfare Officer (Jacqueline Younger) is responsible for updating this Policy in line with legislative and club developments
• All individuals involved in/present at the club are required to adhere to the Policy and Code of Conduct
• The LTA Safeguarding Team and Tennis Scotland, Tennis Wales and Tennis Foundation Safeguarding Leads can offer support to help clubs proactively safeguard.
Where there is a safeguarding concern/disclosure:
• The individual who is told about, hears, or is made aware of the concern/disclosure is responsible for following the Reporting a Safeguarding Concern Procedure. Unless someone is in immediate danger, they should inform their club Welfare Officer, LTA Safeguarding Team or National Safeguarding Lead.
• The club Welfare Officer and Safeguarding Leads are responsible for reporting safeguarding concerns to the LTA Safe Safeguarding Team.
• The LTA Safeguarding Team is responsible for assessing all safeguarding concern/disclosures that are reported to them and working with the club Welfare Officer and national Safeguarding Leads to follow up as appropriate on a case-by-case basis, prioritising the well-being of the child/ adult at risk at all times. Dependent on the concern/disclosure, a referral may be made to:
o The police in an emergency (999);
o Hertfordshire Children’s Services 0300 123 4043
o Hertfordshire Adult Services 0300 123 4042
o Designated Officer (England only) for concerns/disclosures about a member of staff, consultant, coach, official or volunteer
- LTA 020 8487 7000
- NSPCC 0808 800 5000
- safeguarding@lta.org.uk
o Disclosure and Barring Service (or Disclosure Scotland; Adult Social Work Team or Health and Social Service Department (Channel Islands) for concerns/disclosures about a member of staff, consultant, coach, official or volunteer
- 0208 487 7000
- DBS@LTA.org.uk
5. Breaches of the Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure
Breaches of this Policy and/or failure to comply with the outlined responsibilities may result in the following:
• Disciplinary action leading to possible exclusion from the club, dismissal and legal action
• Termination of current and future roles within the club and roles in other clubs, the LTA, Tennis Wales, Tennis Scotland and the Tennis Foundation.
Actions taken by players, parents or carers, staff, consultants, volunteers, officials, coaches inside or outside of the club that are seen to contradict this Policy may be considered a violation of this Policy.
Where an appeal is lodged in response to a safeguarding decision made by the club, the individual should adhere to the club’s appeal procedure [for guidance on developing an appeal procedure – see What’s the Score toolkit].