Safeguarding Policy

The Club is affiliated to the Tennis and Rackets Association, the sport’s governing body, and abides by its ‘Principles of the Safeguarding and Protecting Young People in Real Tennis Policy’ (www.tennisandrackets.com).

Welfare Officer

All issues and complaints concerning safeguarding players under the age of 18 and vulnerable adults will, initially, be the responsibility of the Club’s Welfare Officer, who can be contacted by email on cpo@mmtcc.org.

The Club’s guidelines

• Everyone is treated equally regardless of age, ability, gender, race, religion, ethnic origin, social status or sexual orientation and it is accepted that everyone has the right to be protected from abuse
• All issues and complaints concerning safeguarding players under the age of 18 and vulnerable adults will, initially, be the responsibility of the Club’s Welfare Officer
• Matters requiring further action will be reported to the Club’s Chairman and Board who will, if deemed appropriate, seek advice from the Tennis and Rackets Association and national safeguarding policies as an integral part of the disciplinary process
• Disciplinary procedure: the exact nature of the offence will determine the appropriate course of action in any particular situation. All individuals will be treated impartially and no acts of favouritism or discrimination will be permitted. An individual will render himself/herself liable to disciplinary action if the Code of Conduct or Prohibited Practice is breached.
• The Club’s professional coaches receive appropriate safeguarding training as part of their Continuing Professional Development Programme (CPD) as supervised by the Tennis and Rackets Association
• Professional coaches and volunteer assistants are checked by the Disclosure and Barring Service
• Professional coaches and volunteer assistants are covered by Public Liability Insurance
• Communication by text, telephone or email will be made through parents, carers and teachers, not directly with the young players and vulnerable adults
• A First Aider will be on site during coaching sessions. First Aid boxes are kept up to date and are located by the entrance to the court playing area where a defibrillator is also positioned
• Accidents will be recorded in the Club’s Accident logbook. The Club’s Accident and Emergency Procedures are set out below
• Coaching sessions will be held with at least one adult per ten young players
• For those under the age of ten, one of their parents must be present during the coaching session
• For school group sessions an adult must be present – if not a teacher, someone who has been authorised by the school
• The Club undertakes to ensure that physical contact with young players and vulnerable adults will only be for the development of real tennis skills, treating or preventing an injury or for safety reasons. On no account should there be any form of inappropriate physical contact by coaches, volunteer assistants or club members
• Appropriate changing facilities are provided, and young players and vulnerable adults will not be expected to change with adults. Supervision of changing will be made available as appropriate
• Photography of young players will be of groups only and if individually, for example of competition winners receiving awards, parental permission will be sought. Photographs of individuals will only be posted on the Club’s website with parental consent
• The Club’s professionals, volunteer assistants and officers will not be responsible for the provision of transport. When necessary, the car owner will be required to fill in and sign the transport policy statement (see Transport below)
• The Club has adopted the Tennis and Rackets Association’s Anti-Bullying Policy (see below)

Use of terminology

Child/Young Player: a person under the age of eighteen years.

Vulnerable adult: an adult who has care and support needs; is experiencing, or at risk of abuse or neglect; and because of their care and support needs cannot protect themselves against actual or potential abuse or neglect.

Principles

• Bullying of any kind is not acceptable within any Club providing playing opportunities for children, young people and vulnerable adults
• The T&RA has a telling culture and anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell their club’s Welfare Officer
• Any incident of bullying which occurs will be taken seriously, responded to promptly, and procedures followed to resolve the situation
• All concerns will be taken seriously and managed accordingly within the Safeguarding and Protecting Young People in Real Tennis and Rackets Policies and Procedures
• The T&RA have a moral and legal obligation to ensure that, when given responsibility for young people, professionals and volunteers provide them with the highest possible standard of care
• Anyone who administers or plays the games of Real Tennis and Rackets has a responsibility and failure to comply may lead to disciplinary action
• It is the responsibility of every adult working in Real Tennis and Rackets whether professional or volunteer, to ensure that all young people can enjoy the sport in a safe enjoyable environment
• It is recognised that any procedure is only as effective as the ability and skill of those who operate it. The T&RA are committed therefore to the effective recruitment, and appropriate training for all professionals, volunteers and club members. This will enable them to work together with parents/carers and other organisations to ensure that the needs and the welfare of young people remain paramount

What is bullying?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:

• Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding kit, threatening gestures)
• Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
• Racist: racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
• Sexual: unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
• Homophobic: because of, or focussing on, the issue of sexuality
• Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing
• Social/cyber: taunts via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Signs and symptoms

A young person may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Young people have described bullying as:

• being called names
• being teased
• being hit, pushed, pulled, pinched, or kicked
• having their bag, mobile or other possessions taken
• receiving abusive text messages
• being forced to hand over money
• being forced to do things they do not want to do
• being ignored or left out
• being attacked because of religion, gender, sexuality, disability, appearance or ethnic or racial origin

Other signs and symptoms:

• doesn’t want to attend training or club activities
• changes to their usual routine
• begins being disruptive during sessions
• becomes withdrawn, anxious, or lacking in confidence
• comes home with clothes torn or kit damaged
• has possessions go "missing"
• becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
• starts stammering
• attempts or threatens suicide or runs away
• cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
• has unexplained cuts or bruises
• comes home starving (money/lunch has been stolen)
• is bullying other children or siblings
• stops eating
• is frightened to say what’s wrong

These signs and behaviour may not constitute bullying and be symptoms of other problems. Club professionals and volunteers are encouraged to be aware of these possible signs and report any concerns to the Welfare Officer.

Objectives of the policy

• All players, board members, professionals, volunteers, parents and carers should have an understanding of what bullying is and what they should do if bullying arises.
• Everyone should know what the T&RA and club policy is on bullying and follow the defined procedures should bullying be reported.
• Bullying will not be tolerated. Full support will be given by the T&RA and the club to any victim of bullying.

Procedures and management of bullying

• Report bullying incidents to the Welfare Officer who will record (using the T&RA incident form). If the incident is an adult bullying a young person or the incident is a young person bullying a young person the incident must be reported to the Welfare Officer
• Parents/carers may be informed and will be asked to discuss the problem
• The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying will be investigated, and intervention made to stop the bullying as quickly as possible
• An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour
• If the situation is not or cannot be resolved through mediation, training or mentoring, refer back to the T&RA’s National Designated Officer who will manage the incident in line with Disciplinary Regulations. If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted.

Implementing the T&RA Anti-Bullying Policy

Raise awareness

• Raise awareness with all members and players within the sport
• Place posters on club notice boards
• Ensure all young players know they can talk to someone if they are worried
• Ensure that parents and carers have access to a copy of the policy
• Encourage clubs to adopt the policy within the club constitution
• Ensure that the Code of Conduct clearly states that behaviour which constitutes bullying will not be accepted
• Ensure all relevant professionals and volunteers have signed up to the code of conduct
• Ensure the policy is accessible to members and players
• Establish a working party to support the ongoing development and implementation of the policy
• Identify any training needs within Real Tennis and Rackets and provide support opportunities

The T&RA will review, monitor and evaluate

• Ensure that the working group meets to review how the communication of the policy has been managed, has it made a difference
• Work with the Clubs to take lessons learnt from incidents and re-evaluate the policy as required
• Maintain an ongoing poster campaign
• Ensure members, players, professionals, volunteers and parents are kept up to date with any changes
• Invite feedback from players, parents, professionals, club members and volunteers about the policy and its impact

Help and support

Reference: KIDSCAPE Anti-Bullying Policy for Schools – Some Guidelines

If you require help or support, you can contact:

• KIDSCAPE Parent Advice Line: 0300 102 4481 (WhatsApp: 07496 682785)
• ChildLine: 0800 1111
• NSPCC: 0808 800 5000