SafeGuarding Policy

How to respond to allegations against a member of staff/volunteer or another young person within the Tennis Environment.

PadelHaus Ltd is dedicated to prioritising the well-being of all children and vulnerable adults, promoting safeguarding within our club at all times, including throughout all programmes and events we organise. This policy aims to minimise risk, ensure a positive tennis experience for everyone, and respond appropriately to all safeguarding concerns and disclosures.

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This Policy is reviewed every two years (or earlier if there is a change in national legislation). This Policy is recommended for approval by:

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Policy Info

Club Committee and Club Welfare Officer: Daljit Nahil. Date: 05/08/24

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 protect themselves against abuse or neglect.

Safeguarding children: Protecting children from abuse and neglect, preventing the impairment of children’s health or development, ensuring 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 them to maintain control over their lives and make informed choices without coercion. Empowering adults at risk, consulting them before taking action, unless they lack 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 their best interests.

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, committee members, coaches, and club members. It aligns with national legislation and is applicable across the UK.

Advice, guidance, and support are 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.‍
• ‍The club’s committee has overall accountability for this Policy and its implementation.
• ‍The club Welfare Officer is responsible for updating this Policy in line with legislative changes and club developments.‍
• ‍All individuals involved with or present at the club are required to adhere to the Policy and Code of Conduct.‍

The LTA Safeguarding Team, along with Tennis Scotland, Tennis Wales, and Tennis Foundation Safeguarding Leads, can offer support to help clubs proactively safeguard.

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In the event of a safeguarding concern or disclosure:

The individual who is informed about, hears, or becomes aware of the concern/disclosure is responsible for following the Reporting a Safeguarding Concern Procedure outlined in the flowchart at the beginning of this policy. If no immediate danger is present, they should inform their club Welfare Officer, the LTA Safeguarding Team, or the 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 reported safeguarding concerns/disclosures 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 or adult at risk at all times. Depending on the nature of the concern/disclosure, a referral may be made to:

• Designated Officer (England only) for concerns/disclosures about a member of staff, consultant, coach, official, or volunteer.
• The police in an emergency (999)‍
• Local Authority Adult Services
• Local Authority Children’s Services

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:

• Disciplinary action, which could lead to exclusion from the club, dismissal, and potential 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 by players, parents, carers, staff, consultants, volunteers, officials, or coaches, whether inside or outside of the club, that contradict this Policy may be deemed a violation.

If an appeal is lodged in response to a safeguarding decision made by the club, the individual should follow the club’s appeal procedure. For guidance on developing an appeal procedure, refer to the "What’s the Score" toolkit on the LTA website.

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 dedicated to fostering and maintaining a culture where individuals feel empowered to raise genuine safeguarding concerns and are confident that these concerns will be taken seriously.

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What is whistle blowing?

In the context of safeguarding, “whistle blowing” is when someone raises a concern about the well-being of a child or an adult at risk.

A whistle blower may be:

• a player;
• a volunteer;
• a coach;
• other member of staff;
• an official;
• a parent;
• a member of the public.

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If a child or an adult at risk is in immediate danger or at risk of harm, contact the police by calling 999.

If a child or an adult at risk is not in immediate danger, any concerns about their well-being should be reported without delay to the Club Welfare Officer. The Club Welfare Officer will then promptly pass the details of the concern to the LTA Safeguarding Team and, where appropriate, contact the relevant local authority and police.

If the whistleblower does not feel comfortable raising a concern with the Club Welfare Officer, they should directly contact the LTA Safeguarding Team on 020 8487 7000, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.

The Club Welfare Officer can be contacted on: daljit@padelhaus.co.uk or 07967 658282

Information to include when raising a concern

The whistle blower 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.

What happens next?

All concerns raised by a whistle blower 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.  

Anyone who does not feel comfortable raising a concern with the Club Welfare Officer should contact the LTA Safeguarding Team directly on 020 8487 7000, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on  07823 532 538 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. You can also contact the local authority children services on 020 7641 4000 or adult social care on 0207 641 2500.

Further details about whistleblowing can be found in the club’s safeguarding policy. 

Support

The club will not tolerate any harassment, victimisation or unfair treatment of, and will take appropriate action to protect, whistle blowers when they raise a concern in good faith.

For more information, please see our Whistleblowing Policy.

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.

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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 use drugs of any kind on club premises or while representing the club at competitions or events.
• Talk to the Club Welfare Officer about any concerns or worries they have about themselves or others.

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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 officials' 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.

Safeguarding: Safeguarding involves protecting children from abuse and neglect, preventing impairment of their health or development, ensuring they grow up with safe and effective care, and taking action to give them the best life chances. For adults at risk, safeguarding means enabling them to achieve outcomes that matter to them, protecting their right to live safely, free from abuse and neglect, and supporting them to make choices and raise concerns. It begins with the assumption that individuals are best placed to make decisions about their own well-being. Proportional action is taken on their behalf only if they lack the capacity to decide, face life-threatening risks, pose risks to others, or if a criminal offence has been or is likely to be committed.

Abuse and Neglect

Physical abuse: This form of abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child or adult at risk. Physical harm can also result from a parent or carer fabricating or inducing illness.

Sexual abuse: This involves forcing or enticing a child or young person into sexual activities, not necessarily involving violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. Activities may include physical contact (such as rape, oral sex, masturbation, kissing, rubbing, touching outside of clothing) or non-contact activities (like involving children in sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging inappropriate sexual behaviour, or grooming a child, including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males; women and other children can also commit acts of sexual abuse.

Emotional abuse: This is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child or adult at risk, causing severe and persistent adverse effects on their emotional development. It may involve making the individual feel worthless, unloved, or inadequate, not giving them opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them, or mocking their communication. It may include age or developmentally inappropriate expectations, overprotection, limitation of exploration and learning, preventing normal social interaction, witnessing the ill-treatment of others, serious bullying (including cyber bullying), causing fear or danger, or exploitation. Emotional abuse is present in all forms of child maltreatment but can also occur alone.

Neglect: This is the persistent failure to meet a child or adult at risk’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in serious impairment of 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 or adult at risk from physical and emotional harm or danger.
• Ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate caregivers).
• Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.

Neglect may also include unresponsiveness to a child’s or adult at risk’s basic emotional needs and may occur during pregnancy due to maternal substance abuse.

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Additional examples of abuse and neglect of adults at risk

Financial abuse: Involves having money or property stolen, being defrauded, being pressured regarding money or property, and having money or property misused.

Discriminatory abuse: Treating someone unfavourably and causing them harm due to their age, gender, sexuality, gender identity, disability, socio-economic status, ethnic origin, religion, or any other visible or non-visible difference.

Domestic abuse: Includes physical, sexual, psychological, or financial abuse by a current or former partner or family member. It encompasses forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and honour-based violence, which are acts of violence based on the belief that the person has brought shame to their family or culture. Domestic abuse does not necessarily involve physical contact or violence.

Psychological abuse: Includes 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: Occurs when the needs of an individual are not met due to a culture of poor practice or abusive behaviour within an organisation.

Self-neglect: Behaviour that threatens an adult’s personal health or safety but not that of others. This includes an adult’s decision not to provide themselves with adequate food, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, or medication (when indicated), or to take appropriate safety precautions.

Modern slavery: Encompasses slavery, human trafficking, criminal and sexual exploitation, forced labour, and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use coercion, deception, and force to subject individuals to 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 recognised as a form of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse practised across the UK.
• Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of sexual abuse where children are exploited for money, power, or status.
• Child trafficking is recognised as child abuse where children are often subjected to multiple forms of exploitation. They 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, which 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, self-destructive behaviours, offending, and anti-social conduct.
• Those committing abuse are most often adults, both male and female. However, child-to-child abuse also occurs.

1) Listen carefully and calmly to the individual.

2) Reassure the individual that they have done the right thing and that what they have told you is very important.‍

3) Avoid questioning where possible, and never ask leading questions.‍

4) 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 inform them of this as well.

5) Report the concern. In an emergency, call the police (999); otherwise, talk to the Welfare Officer/LTA Safeguarding Team as soon as possible. Do not let doubt or personal bias prevent you from reporting the allegation.

6) Record details of the disclosure and allegation using the LTA’s online reporting a concern form within 24 hours. If you do not have access to the online form, write down the details using whatever you have available, then sign and date it.

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.

Note:  You should inform the parent/carer of the concern, unless you believe it would put the child/adult at risk, yourself or others at risk.

LTA Online Concern Form: https://safeguardingconcern.lta.org.uk

Useful Contacts: 

British Tennis Services team: 020 8487 7000

Email: safeandinclusive@lta.org.uk

NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

Emergency Services: 999

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