Wimborne Tennis Club is committed to prioritising the well-being of all children and adults at risk, and promotes safeguarding in our club at all times, including in all programmes and events that we run. The aim of this policy is to minimise risk, deliver a positive tennis experience for everyone, and respond appropriately to all safeguarding concerns/disclosures.

Wimborne tennis club is fully LTA accredited and exceeded LTA guidelines for safeguarding.

The full Safeguarding Policy can be found here

The full Diversity and Inclusion Policy can be found here

The full Use of Changing room Policy can be found here

The full Online safety & Communication Policy can be found here

Safe and Inclusive Code of Conduct

All employees, 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 and in the implementation of its child protection policy and procedures.

Those working in the club should at all times:

• • Prioritise the well-being of all 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 Fair Play values: enjoyment and 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.

Concern Reporting Procedure

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 must:

Code of Practice for Parents and Guardians

Wimborne Tennis Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all its members. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents/guardians associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, members are encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with:

Phil Loose Rachael Mailer
Club Manager Club Welfare Officer
07812 086441 07769902812
rachael.sealy@btopenworld.com

As a member of Wimborne Tennis Club, you are expected to abide by the following code of practice:

• • Encourage your child to learn the rules of tennis and play within them
  • Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials
  • Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results
  • Never force your child to take part in sport
  • Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all
  • Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes
  • Publicly accept judgements made by officials
  • Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport
  • Use correct and proper language at all times
  • Allow your child to play in the Mini Tennis colour stage that is appropriate to them. This will ensure they enjoy playing the game, develop their skills and gain confidence
  • Purchase balls and rackets that match the stage your child is in
  • Be patient. Steady progression is unusual in children; peaks and plateaus are common
  • Your first question following any match should be: “Did you enjoy it?” not “Did you win?”
  • At no stage should you communicate with your child or interfere with the on-court helpers and referees during a match – just enjoy the game and let officials take care of the rules!

Code of practice for young people:
As a junior member of Wimborne Tennis Club, you are expected to abide by the following code of practice:

• • All members must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions
  • All members must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, cultural background, religious beliefs or sexual identity
  • Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions, or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late
  • Members must wear suitable kit for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach
  • Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly
  • Junior members are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions
  • Junior members are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing the club

Contact details for reporting a safeguarding concern:

Wimborne Tennis Club Welfare Officer: Mrs Rachael Mailer: 07769902812
(in her absence Mrs Emma Boger will assume the role. She can be contacted on 07758457195)
Club Manager: Mr Philip Loose: 07812 086441
LADO – Patrick crawford: p.crawford@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Regional safeguarding officer, south west – Vicki Gregg
Tel – 07543306965 Email: vicki.gregg@lta.org.uk
If the club manager or welfare officer is not available:
Concerns may also be reported by going straight on to the LTA website (Safeguarding-reporting a concern) and filling in a form online.
For general safeguarding queries or advice about safeguarding, you can contact the LTA on: 0202 487 7000
Or email: safeguarding@lta.org.uk
The police in an emergency (999)
Dorset Safeguarding Children Board: (01202) 228866
Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board: (01305) 221016 or (01202) 657279 (outside normal hours)
Designated Local Authority Officer: Mr Roger Humphreys: (01258) 881889
Disclosure and Barring Service (for concerns/disclosures about a member of staff) Helpline: 03000 200 190

Policy updated on 12/12/222