Start Here - Overview
These safeguarding resources for tennis focus on the well-being of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
DEFINITIONS
- A child or young person is defined as a person under the age of 18 (Children’s Act 2014).
- A vulnerable adult is an adult who is unable, by reason of detention, age, sickness, mental impairment, or any other cause, to withdraw himself or herself (themselves) from the care of another person (NZ Crimes Act 1961).
- A vulnerable adult might be someone who has an intellectual or physical disability, has mental health needs, has a learning disability, is blind or visually impaired, is deaf or has a hearing impairment or has communication difficulties.
SAFEGUARDING VS CHLD PROTECTION
The well-being and ability for children, young people, and vulnerable adults to thrive in tennis also requires their safety and welfare to be covered too.
Children, young people, and vulnerable adults have the right to be free from harm and abuse.
- Safeguarding is the set of actions organisations can take to keep young and vulnerable people safe from harm.
It is a broad term encompassing the prevention of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and neglect of children.
Even if good preventive measures are in place, concerns about a child’s well-being may still arise.
- Child protection is an essential part of safeguarding and refers to the action taken in response to a specific concern for a child or children who may be suffering, or at risk of suffering, harm or abuse. It requires referral to specialised child protection services, law enforcement agencies and expert local organisations that are trained to provide advice and manage cases if concerns arise.
Adapted from Sport NZ
How can sport safeguard children?
This 2-minute video from the NSPCC explains safeguarding, and also talks about the difference between safeguarding and child protection. The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children’s charity, and we thank them for their permission to use this video.
Best Practice Safeguarding Suggestions For NZTE’s
You can find a variety of policy templates on the Resources page
- Develop and implement a safeguarding policy and specific procedures that are consistent with the TPPP (each NZTE operates differently so will need to consider what procedures are needed)
- Embed the safeguarding policy and procedures/messages into regular communications to all members and casual participants
- Nominate two people (1 male, 1 female) as safeguarding information officers for children or vulnerable people to speak to if they feel the need to disclose any incident where they don’t feel safe
- Display safeguarding posters to ensure all participants are aware of how to report any behaviour they feel could put a child or vulnerable person at risk
- Activities should be appropriate for the age and development of children or vulnerable adults that need adapted activities
- Create a safe and open environment that protects children and vulnerable people from harm and provides boundaries and support to staff and volunteers
- Do not send children or vulnerable adults off to train alone and out of sight or supervision
- Ensure that all physical contact with children or vulnerable adults is relevant and appropriate to the activity, with permission sought from the individual before making contact
- Ensure that any filming or photography of children is appropriate, with written permission to be obtained from a parent or guardian if the materials are to be shown publicly
- Do not allow parents, coaches, other children, or spectators to engage in any type of bullying behaviour (this includes cyber/text bullying)
- Use positive and age-appropriate language when talking to, or in the presence of children or vulnerable adults
- Do not engage in any intimate, overfamiliar, or sexual relationships with children or vulnerable adults
- Do not drink alcohol when you are responsible for children or vulnerable adults and do not offer alcohol to children under any circumstances
- Do not engage in communication with a child or vulnerable adult through social media, texting or email, other than for relevant coach/player feedback or administration, and ideally include a parent or guardian as a recipient of all communication
- Avoid private or unobserved situations, including being alone with a child/vulnerable adult in the changing rooms. Have another adult present or at least another player
- When entering changing rooms, ensure that you knock and announce yourself and try to have at least one other adult with you
- Always have another adult present when staying overnight anywhere with children/vulnerable adults; preferably a parent of one of the participants
- Avoid driving a child/vulnerable adult unaccompanied. If this is not practical, have them sit in the back seat
- Do not invite or encourage children/vulnerable adults to visit any private residence
- Do not bully or place unnecessary pressure on children or vulnerable adults
The relationship between those who hold a position of trust and responsibility with children and vulnerable adults must always be professional and appropriate.
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