Top Tips for Parents & Players
Tip 1 - Check safeguarding procedures at venues
When thinking about joining a tennis club, ask for details of its safeguarding procedures check for this information online too.
All LTA Registered Venues should have this information available and this should form part of your induction to the venue.
Make sure you know who the welfare officer is and let your child know so that if there are any safeguarding issues you have someone to contact. You can assure yourself that a coach is LTA Accredited with appropriate training and criminal records check by using our 'Find a Coach' tool on the LTA website.
If you can’t readily establish this information please speak to the LTA safeguarding team safeguarding@lta.org.uk.
Tip 2 - Parental conduct and expectation
Be a positive role model, demonstrating appropriate behaviours and responses to events which can happen on, and off, court. The team receive a number of complaints around parental behaviour each year which often result in referrals to Social Care and the police. Please help us to make tennis safe and enjoyable for all.
Tip 3 - Professional boundaries between player and coach
Have realistic expectations of your coach and respect their professional boundaries. Make sure you are clear on the codes of conduct for sessions so that there can be no confusion as to what is appropriate behaviour by coach and behaviour expected of you and your child.
Check that your coach is LTA accredited as this ensures a basic level of safeguarding knowledge and a DBS check when coaching children.
You should not allow a coach to transport your child to and from coaching sessions and should ensure that any electronic communications between coach and player have you as a parent or other appropriate adult copied in.
Tip 4 - Access safeguarding information
Be aware of the indicators of abuse. Report anything that worries you.
Tip 5 - Report any concerns you may have
If you have a safeguarding concern contact the LTA Safeguarding Team. We are here to assist and would much rather people report to us than have a safeguarding concern on their mind.
Remember by reporting a concern you are not making a judgement, rather you are referring to professionals to consider all the information and decide what further action, if any, should be taken.
Tip 6 - Social media and appropriate communication
If you or your child uses social media, be aware of the information that is shared and the risks that can be posed. Ensure that contact between coach and child is solely for the purpose of arranging lessons and that parents are copied into messages.
