Safeguarding

---

 FJ Tennis acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk.  We are committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and LTA requirements. This Policy strives to minimise risk, deliver a positive tennis experience for everyone and respond appropriately to all safeguarding concerns/disclosures. 

 Anyone who is concerned about the well-being of a child/ adult at risk, or has a disclosure of abuse or neglect made to them should contact either:

• Stamford Tennis Club Welfare Officer - Gill Robinson - 07810 825980 - stamfordtennis.welfare@gmail.com
• LTA Safe and Inclusive Team - 020 8487  7000
• NSPCC - 0808 800 5000

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, ethnicity, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children and adults:

• Have a positive and enjoyable experience of tennis at the Club in a safe and inclusive environment.
• Are protected from abuse whilst participating in tennis.

 Any employee, 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 in the implementation of its child protection policy and procedures.

• Prioritise and promote the safety and well-being of all ‘at risk’ children and adults at all times

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person within the context of our sports

• 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 well-being 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.

Anyone who does not feel comfortable raising a concern with the Tennis Welfare Officer should contact the LTA Safeguarding team directly on 020 8487 7000, the Local Authority Designated officer (LADO) or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.  Further details about whistleblowing can be found on the club’s safeguarding policy. 

Our 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 of event