SAFEGUARDING POLICY
Virtus Leisure Management is committed to prioritising the well-being of all children and adults at risk by promoting safeguarding in our venues at all times. This includes during all programmes, competitions and events we run. Our safeguarding policy strives to minimise risk, deliver a positive tennis experience for everyone and respond appropriately to all safeguarding concerns/disclosure. If you would like a copy of this policy or any of our other policies (including our Diversity & Inclusion policy and Whistleblowing policy) please email us.
OUR SAFE AND INCLUSIVE CODE OF CONDUCT
For children and young people
For parents
For staff, coaches and volunteers
ESSENTIALS
STAY SAFE
Keep yourself safe in our Centre by listening to your coach or a member of staff, behaving responsibly and speaking our when something isn't right.
ARRIVE PREPARED
Always bring the correct kit and plenty of water for on court breaks.
STAY SEEN
When you are at the centre, stay in places where we can see you and don’t wander off.
NO SMOKING
No smoking is allowed at any point during your time at our Centre.
· Make sure your child has the appropriate kit for the lesson, as well as enough food and drink.
· Please make sure your child arrives on time for the lesson and is picked up promptly. Please let us know if you’re running late or if your child is going home with someone else.
· Keep all contact information and medical records up to date.
· Maintain a good relationship with the staff and coaches at our Centre.
· Talk to us if you have any concerns - we welcome any feedback from you.
BEHAVIOUR
NO BULLYING
Report any incidents of bullying, including homophobia and transphobia to a member of staff.
HAVE FUN
Make our Centre a welcoming and friendly place to be. Play tennis by the rules and have fun.
SHOW RESPECT
Respect all our staff, coaches, volunteers and other players
CELEBRATE DIFFERENCES
Respect and celebrate difference in our Centre and do not discriminate anyone else on the grounds of gender, race, sexual orientation or ability.
· Always encourage good sportsmanship.
· Behave positively when at our Centre, shout encouragement and say ‘well done’.
· Encourage your child to play by the rules.
· Ensure that your child understands their code of conduct.
· Use social media responsibly when talking and sharing about what goes on at our Centre. Behave the same way online as you would in person.
· Listen when your child says they don’t want to do something .
· To implement our safeguarding policies and procedures.
· Report any concerns to our welfare offices.
· Listen to any concerns that parents or any young person may have.
· Use constructive training methods to develop children’s abilities across all coaching programmes.
· Respect your position of trust and maintain appropriate boundaries and relationships with young people.
· Make sure all equipment at our Centre is fit for purpose.
· Respect children’s trust and well being while being honest with them.
· Lead by example when it comes to good behaviour, sportsmanship and commitment to our Centre.
· Develop positive relationships with parents.
· Always make sure our Centre is a warm and friendly place to be.
· Stop play if an injury occurs and treat with the appropriate first aid.
The term children or child refers to a young person under the age of 18. Where we refer to ‘parents’ we mean parents, guardians and carers inclusively
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:
Download the Concern Reporting Form here
REPOND
You have a concern about a child/adult at risk, or have a disclosure of abuse or neglect made to you
REFER
RECORD
Write an objective account of the concerns immediately using the Reporting a Concern Form. Send it to the Welfare Officer within 48 hours of the concern/disclosure. If appropriate to do so the Welfare Officer will also forward it to the LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis team.
If someone IS in immediate danger
Call the police (999)
Speak to your Welfare Officer. If they are unavailable you can call the LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team or NSPCC for advice
If someone IS NOT in immediate danger
Speak to your Welfare Officer. If they are unavailable you can call the LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team or NSPCC for advice.
Inform the parent/care
of the concern, unless
you believe it will put the
child, adult or yourself at risk
OUR TEAM
USEFUL CONTACTS
LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team, Kent Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and NSPCC
The LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team work Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
If you have any concerns, or wish to report anything, you can email them here.
Kent LADO: 03000 41 08 88 (or Children’s Social Care Out of hours Emergency Duty Team 0300 303 867)
If you wish to speak to someone outside of office hours, you can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or if someone is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.