Full Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Policy

1. Policy statement

The Rogate 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. Key terminology (See Appendix A for full glossary of terms)

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.

3. Scope

This Policy is applicable to all committee members, coaches and club members and others using club courts or facilities. It is in line with national legislation and applicable across the UK. Advice, guidance and support is 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.

• The Club Committee and Chair have overall accountability for this Policy and its implementation

• The club Welfare Officer 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 Foundation Safeguarding Leads can offer support to help clubs proactively safeguard.

Where there is a safeguarding concern/disclosure:

Appendix B and accompanying reporting procedure flow chart provide guidance on how someone should respond if they have a safeguarding concern. Unless someone is in immediate danger, they should normally inform the club Welfare Officer (currently Richard Hatfield), another Committee Member or, if necessary, the LTA Safeguarding Team. Where appropriate, pass safeguarding concerns initially reported to the club will be passed on 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 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 circumstances, a referral may be made to:

· The police in an emergency

· Local Authority Children’s or Adult Services

· Designated Officer (England only) for concerns/disclosures about a member of staff, consultant, coach, official or volunteer

· Disclosure and Barring Service

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.

This Policy will be reviewed every two years or earlier if there is a change in national legislation.

September 2019