Tel: 0161 434 3781 | Email: enquiries@didsburyltc.org.uk
DIDSBURY LAWN TENNIS CLUB
Safeguarding Policy
Policy statement
The Didsbury LTC 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. All activities, events and competitions arranged by
the club run in accordance with the LTA’s Safeguarding at Events,
Activities and Competitions guidance. This Policy strives to
minimise risk, deliver a positive tennis experience for everyone
and respond appropriately to all safeguarding
concerns/disclosures.
Use of terminology
Child: a person under the age of eighteen
years.
Note that some legislation in Scotland defines a
child as a person under sixteen years old. However, where there is
any safeguarding concern, anyone under the age of 18 is regarded as
a child unless advised otherwise by the LTA Safeguarding
Team.
Adult at risk: 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 for full glossary of
terms).
Scope
This Policy is applicable to all staff,
volunteers, committee members, coaches, visiting teams/players and
club members. It is in line with national legislation and
applicable across the UK.
Advice, guidance and support is available from
the LTA Safeguarding Team.
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 and Safeguarding Lead
(Val Helliar, Judy Leon) are 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 shown in the
flowchart in the appendix at the end of this policy ( please see
the copy available in the club ). 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
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:
The police in an emergency (999);
Local Authority Children’s Services 0161
234 5001
Local Authority Adult Services 0161 234
5001
Designated Officer (England only) for
concerns/disclosures about a member of staff, consultant, coach,
official or volunteer
(Contact numbers for the above can be found at
the end of the policy.)
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.
Procedures for Persons Raising
Concerns
Safeguarding children and adults at risk requires
everyone to be committed to the highest possible standards of
openness, integrity and accountability. As a club, we are committed
to encouraging and maintaining a culture where people feel able to
raise a genuine safeguarding concern and are confident that it will
be taken seriously.
A concern can be raised by:
a player;
a volunteer;
a coach;
other member of staff;
an official;
a parent;
a member of the public.
How to raise a concern about a child or an adult
at risk at the club
Where a child or an adult at risk is not in
immediate danger, any concerns about their well-being should be
made without delay to the Club Welfare Officer. The Club Welfare
Officer will pass the details of the concern on to the LTA
Safeguarding Team at the earliest opportunity and the relevant
local authority and the police will be contacted, where
appropriate.
If, however, the person raising concern does not
feel comfortable in speaking to the Club Welfare Officer, he/she
should contact the LTA Safeguarding Team directly on 020 8487 7000,
the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or the NSPCC on 0808
800 5000.
If a child or an adult at risk is in immediate
danger or risk of harm, the police should be contacted by calling
999.
Information to include when raising a
concern
The person should provide as much information as
possible regarding the incident or circumstance which has given
rise to the concern, including:
their name and contact details (unless they wish
to remain anonymous);
names of individuals involved;
date, time and location of incident/circumstance;
and
whether any witnesses were present.
A form is in appendix which should be completed
giving all the above details.
What happens next?
All concerns raised about the well-being of a
child or an adult at risk will be taken seriously and every effort
will be made to deal with each concern fairly, quickly and
proportionately.
If the person raising the concern does not
believe that the incident has been dealt with appropriately and
wishes to speak to someone outside the club or the LTA Safeguarding
Team, the NSPCC Whistleblowing advice line should be contacted on
0800 028 0285 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk.
Support
The club will not tolerate any harassment,
victimisation or unfair treatment of, and will take appropriate
action to protect, persons when they raise a concern in good
faith.
This Policy is reviewed every two years (or
earlier if there is a change in national legislation).
This Policy is recommended for approval
by:
Club Committee Chair: Ian Wolfenden
Date:
Club Welfare Officer: Val Helliar
Date:
Appendix 1
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern within the
Tennis Environment
How to respond to allegations against a member of
staff/volunteer or another young person within the Tennis
Environment.
For Tennis Wales / Tennis Scotland cases,
on-going consultation will take place with them.
Appendix 2
Codes of Conduct
All members of staff, volunteers and members
agree to:
Prioritise the well-being of all children and
adults at risk at all times
Treat all children and adults at risk fairly and
with respect
Be a positive role model. Act with integrity,
even when no one is looking
Help to create a safe and inclusive environment
both on and off court
Not allow any rough or dangerous behaviour,
bullying or the use of bad or inappropriate language
Report all allegations of abuse or poor practice
to the club Welfare Officer
Not use any sanctions that humiliate or harm a
child or adult at risk
Value and celebrate diversity and make all
reasonable efforts to meet individual needs
Keep clear boundaries between professional and
personal life, including on social media
Have the relevant consent from parents/carers,
children and adults before taking or using photos and
videos
Refrain from making physical contact with
children or adults unless it is necessary as part of an emergency
or congratulatory (e.g. handshake / high five)
Refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol during
club activities or coaching sessions
Ensure roles and responsibilities are clearly
outlined and everyone has the required information and
training
Avoid being alone with a child or adult at risk
unless there are exceptional circumstances
Refrain from transporting children or adults at
risk, unless this is required as part of a club activity (e.g. away
match) and there is another adult in the vehicle
Not abuse, neglect, harm or discriminate against
anyone; or act in a way that may be interpreted as
such
Not have a relationship with anyone under 18 for
whom they are coaching or responsible for
Be acutely aware of the power that coaches and
coaching assistants develop over players in the coaching
relationship and avoid any intimacy (sexual or otherwise) with
players
All children agree to:
Be friendly, supportive and welcoming to other
children and adults
Play fairly and honestly
Respect club staff, volunteers and Officials and
accept their decisions
Behave, respect and listen to your
coach
Take care of your equipment and club
property
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all
participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, culture,
religion or sexual identity
Not use bad, inappropriate or racist language,
including on social media
Not bully, intimidate or harass anyone, including
on social media
Not smoke, drink alcohol or drugs of any kind on
club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions or
events
Talk to the club Welfare Officer about any
concerns or worries they have about themselves or
others]
All parents and carers agree to:
Positively reinforce your child and show an
interest in their tennis
Use appropriate language at all
times
Be realistic and supportive
Never ridicule or admonish a child for making a
mistake or losing a match
Treat all children, adults, volunteers, coaches,
officials and members of staff with respect
Behave responsibly at the venue; do not embarrass
your child
Accept the official’s decisions and do not go on
court or interfere with matches
Encourage your child to play by the rules, and
teach them that they can only do their best
Deliver and collect your child punctually from
the venue
Ensure your child has appropriate clothing for
the weather conditions
Ensure that your child understands their code of
conduct
Adhere to your venue’s safeguarding policy,
diversity and inclusion policy, rules and regulations
Provide emergency contact details and any
relevant information about your child including medical
history.
Appendix 3: Glossary of Terms
Safeguarding: protecting children from abuse and
neglect, preventing the impairment of children’s health or
development, ensuring that children are growing 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.
Enabling adults at risk to achieve the outcomes that matter to them
in their life; protecting their right to live in safety, free from
abuse and neglect. Empowering and supporting them to make choices,
stay safe and raise any concerns. Beginning with the assumption
that an individual is best-placed to make decisions about their own
wellbeing, taking proportional action on their behalf only if
someone lacks the capacity to make a decision, they are exposed to
a life-threatening risk, someone else may be at risk of harm, or a
criminal offence has been committed or is likely to be
committed.
Abuse and neglect
Physical abuse: A form of abuse which may involve
hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding,
drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child
or adult at risk. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or
carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces
illness
Sexual abuse: Involves forcing or enticing a
child or young person to take part in abuse sexual activities, not
necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the
child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve
physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example,
rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation,
kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also
include non-contact activities, such as involving children in
looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual
activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually
inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse
(including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely
perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual
abuse, as can other children
Emotional abuse: The persistent emotional
maltreatment of a child or adult at risk such as to cause severe
and persistent adverse effects on their emotional development. It
may involve conveying to a child/ adult at risk that they are
worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they
meet the needs of another person; not giving them opportunities to
express their views; deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of
what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or
developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed, including
interactions that are beyond a child or adult at risk’s
developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation
of exploration and learning, or preventing them participating in
normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the
ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying
(including cyber bullying), causing a child or adult at risk to
feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of
children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of
maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.
Neglect: The persistent failure to meet a child/
adult at risk’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely
to result in the serious impairment of their health or development.
It may involve a parent or carer failing to:
provide adequate food, clothing and shelter
(including exclusion from home or abandonment);
protect a child/ adult at risk from physical and
emotional harm or danger;
ensure adequate supervision (including the use of
inadequate care-givers); or
ensure access to appropriate medical care or
treatment.
It may also include neglect of, or
unresponsiveness to, a child’s or adult at risk’s basic emotional
needs. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal
substance abuse.
Additional examples of abuse and neglect of
adults at risk
Financial abuse: having money or property stolen;
being defrauded; being put under pressure in relation to money or
other property; and having money or other property
misused.
Discriminatory abuse: treating someone in a less
favourable way and causing them harm, because of their age, gender,
sexuality, gender identity, disability, socio-economic status,
ethnic origin, religion and any other visible or non-visible
difference.
Domestic abuse: includes physical, sexual,
psychological or financial abuse by someone who is, or has been a
partner or family member. Includes forced marriage, female genital
mutilation and honour-based violence (an act of violence based on
the belief that the person has brought shame on their family or
culture). Domestic abuse does not necessarily involve physical
contact or violence.
Psychological abuse: including emotional abuse,
threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact,
humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion,
harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or
supportive networks.
Organisational abuse: where the needs of an
individual are not met by an organisation due to a culture of poor
practice or abusive behaviour within the organisation.
Self-neglect: behaviour which threatens an
adult’s personal health or safety (but not that of others).
Includes an adult’s decision to not provide themselves with
adequate food, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, or medication
(when indicated), or take appropriate safety
precautions
Modern slavery: encompasses slavery, human
trafficking, criminal and sexual exploitation, forced labour and
domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use whatever
means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force
individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane
treatment.
A person who is being abused may experience more
than one type of abuse
Harassment, and bullying are also abusive and can
be harmful
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is now recognised
as a form of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that is practised
across the UK
Child Sexual Exploitation is recognised as a form
of sexual abuse in which children are sexually exploited for money,
power or status
Child trafficking is recognised as child abuse
where children are often subject to multiple forms of exploitation.
Children are recruited, moved or transported to, or within the UK,
then exploited, forced to work or sold
People from all cultures are subject to abuse. It
cannot be condoned for religious or cultural reasons
Abuse can have immediate and long-term impacts on
someone’s well-being, including anxiety, depression, substance
misuse, eating disorders and self-destructive Conducts, offending
and anti-social Conduct
Those committing abuse are most often adults,
both male and female. However, child-to-child abuse also takes
place.
Appendix 4: What to do if a disclosure from a
child or adult at risk is made to you:
Listen carefully and calmly to the
individual
Reassure the individual that they have done the
right thing and what they have told you is very
important
Avoid questioning where possible, and never ask
leading questions
Do not promise secrecy. Let the individual know
that you will need to speak to the Welfare Officer/LTA Safeguarding
Team because it is in their best interest. If you intend to speak
to the police or social care, you should let them know this
too.
Report the concern. Contact Val Helliar/Judy Leon
as soon as possible. If neither bare available contact LTA
safeguarding. (All contact details are at the end of this policy)
Do not let doubt/personal bias prevent you from reporting the
allegation. In an emergency and/or you are concerned that someone
is at immediate risk of harm. Please call the police without delay
on 999.
Record details of the disclosure and allegation
using the following, reporting a concern, form within 24 hours and
submit it to the welfare officer.
Details of Person Reporting:
Name:
Email Address:
Contact Number:
Role:
Where did the concern take place:
Details of those involved in the
concern:
Victim(s) if known:
Alleged perpetrator(s) if known:
Details of your concern
Date concern occurred:
Who have you informed and when did you make the
concern known:
Concern Summary
Appendix 5: Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
outside the Tennis Environment
What to do if you are worried that a child is
being abused outside the tennis environment (e.g. at home, school
or in the community) but the concern is identified through the
child’s involvement in tennis.
For Tennis Wales / Tennis Scotland cases,
on-going consultation will take place with them.
Contact
Numbers:
Val Helliar (Welfare Officer)
Tel No: 07557004884
Email Address: valhelliar@sky.com
LTA Safeguarding:
Tel No: 0208 487 7000
Email Address:
safeguarding@lta.org.uk
NSPCC:
Tel No: 0808 800 5000
Email Address: help@nspcc.org.uk
About Us:
Situated in East Didsbury, the Club offers year-round tennis to players of all levels and ages.
T: 0161-434-3781
E: enquiries@didsburyltc.org.uk
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A: 509 Parrswood Road, East Didsbury, Manchester M20 5GQ