Your safeguarding questions for Parents & Players answered
Q1. How do I know if a coach is LTA Accredited?
You can ask the coach to confirm they are accredited, but you can also check this yourself online and we would always recommend you do this.
Click here to check if a coach is accredited
An accredited coach will have a DBS check if working with children, safeguarding training, first aid training and insurance.
Q2. Why do I need to know who my venue Welfare Officer is?
It’s important to know your Welfare Officer because any safeguarding concerns will be reported to them directly. Details of your venue Welfare Officer will be found in your venue’s safeguarding policy, online and on posters around the venue. They can help you with advice around how the club keeps children safe.
Q3. Why are codes of conduct in tennis are important?
Codes of conduct are really important as they help everyone to understand what types of behaviours are okay and not okay. Venues will have codes of conduct in their safeguarding policy, which you can ask to see a copy of.
Everyone who participates at LTA competitions, whether that is as a player, spectator, coach or official have also signed up to code of conduct.
LTA rules and regulations
LTA fair play rules
Q4. Can coaches can be friends with my child on social media?
Social media is a valid form of communication, but it is important that coaches maintain professional boundaries. For that reason, coaches should ensure that they use a business profile to communicate with any children and keep all messages strictly about tennis coaching.
As a parent you should ensure that you are copied into any messages between your child and coach, this can be done for example via ‘whatsapp’ group chats. Please see attached guidance on teen ‘sexting’ for more information
MORE SAFEGUARDING QUESTIONS HERE