Policies
FRENCHAY TENNIS CLUB
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
(Including Standards, Code of Conduct and
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern Procedure)
Date: October 2021
Date of next review: October 2024
Club Welfare Officer: Club Chair
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
1 Policy Statement
The Frenchay 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 and supporting them to make choices, stay safe and raise any concerns. Beginning with the assumption that any individual is best placed to make decisions about their own well-being, taking proportional action on their behalf only if someone lacks capacity to make a decision, is exposed to a life threatening risk; someone else may be at risk of harm, or a criminal offence has been, or is likely to be committed.
3 Scope
This Policy is applicable to all staff, volunteers, committee members, coaches and club members.
Advice, guidance and support is available from the Club Welfare Officer.
4 Responsibility for the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.
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 is responsible for updating this Policy in line with legislative and club developments.
- All individuals involved in/present at the club must adhere to the Policy and Code of Conduct.
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 reporting this to the Club Welfare Officer or if they are unable to contact them or someone is in immediate danger the NSPCC 24/7 helpline – 0808 800 5000.
- The Club Welfare Officer is responsible for assessing all safeguarding concern/disclosures that are reported to them 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 and/or local authority children’s or adult services and/or other relevant statutory authority.
- Any concerns about a child, young person or adult at risk should be raised with the Club Welfare Officer as soon as possible. If you are unable to contact them or someone is in immediate danger then the matter should be reported to the NSPCC helpline 808 800 5000 or the Police 999.
5 Breaches of the Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct
Breaches of this Policy and/or failure to comply with the outlined responsibilities may result in the following:
- Disciplinary action leading to possible dismissal and legal action
- Termination of current and future roles within the club
Actions taken by 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.
6 Safe and Inclusive Code of Conduct
All members are expected to:
- Prioritise the well-being of all children and adults at risk at all times
- 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 and promote fair play values.
- 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 required information, support and training to carry them out.
WHERE POSSIBLE DO NOT BE ALONE WITH A CHILD OR AN ADULT AT RISK
- Do not abuse, neglect, harm, radicalise, draw into any extremist views or behaviour, or discriminate against anyone, or act in a way that may be interpreted as such*
*It is illegal to have a relationship with someone who is under 18 years old if you are in a position of trust. It is illegal to have a sexual relationship with anyone under the age of 18 whether they given consent or not.
DOING NOTHING IS NOT AN OPTION
- Report all concerns and disclosures as soon as possible, following the Reporting a Safeguarding Concern 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.
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
- If you are aware of anyone being unkind to anyone else, either tell the Club Welfare Officer or an adult but you must tell someone as unkindness is not allowed at our club.
7 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 Club Welfare Officer 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. In an emergency call the police 999, otherwise talk to the Club Welfare Officer as soon as possible. Do not let doubt/personal bias prevent you from reporting the allegation.
Record details of the disclosure and allegation.
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY
Date: October 2021
Date of next review: October 2024
Club Welfare Officer: The Current Chair
Equality and Diversity Policy
The aim of this policy is to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and with respect and ensure members, non-members and visiting teams are not denied access to our tennis venue because of a discriminatory reason.
The policy is fully supported by the management committee who are responsible for the implementation and review of this policy.
Therefore, we will adhere to the following:
Take responsibility for upholding standards and values that apply throughout the tennis venue at every level, so tennis can be enjoyed by everyone who wants to participate.
Be committed to eliminating discrimination by reason of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, ability or disability and to encourage equal opportunities and an inclusive welcoming environment.
Ensure that employees, members and non-members are treated fairly and with respect and ensure that all members of the community regardless of their ability have access to and opportunities to take part in, and enjoy its programmes of activities, competitions and events.
Oppose all forms of harassment, bullying or abuse towards an individual or group whether it is physical, verbal or online that is based on any of the characteristics listed above or for any other reason. Any incidents of this or a similar nature will be treated seriously and subjected to the appropriate disciplinary process.
Ensure there is an immediate investigation of any complaints of discrimination of the above grounds, once they are brought to the attention of the tennis venue. Where such a complaint is upheld, the management committee may impose such sanctions as it considers appropriate and proportionate to the discriminatory behaviour.
Be committed to and deliver a policy of fair and equitable treatment for all members and employees included in this policy.
Be committed to an inclusive environment that is welcoming and seeks to improve representation across all groups and participation at all levels within tennis.
Lodging a Complaint
In the event that any employee, member, volunteer or visitor feels that he, she or they have suffered discrimination or harassment in any way or that the policies, rules or code of conduct have been broken they should follow the procedure below.
The complainant should report the matter in writing to the Club Chair or another member of the management committee. The report should include:
- Details of what occurred
- Details of when and where the occurrence took place
- Any witness details and copies of any witness statements
- Names of any others who have been treated in a similar way (provided that those people consent to their names being disclosed)
- Details of any former complaints made about the incident, including the date and to whom such complaint was made
- An indication as to the desired outcome.
The management committee or representatives of the management committee:
Will review the complaint if it is upheld
Will have the power to impose any one or more of the following sanctions on any person found to be in breach of this policy:
- Warn as to future conduct
- Suspend from membership
- Remove from membership
- Exclude a non-member from the facility, either temporarily or permanently
- Turn down a non-member’s current and/or future membership applications.
Will provide both parties with written reasons for its decision to uphold or dismiss the complaint within one (1) calendar month of such decision being made.