It is best practise for all LTA registered clubs to have a trained Welfare Officer. The Welfare Officer is responsible for creating a safe and inclusive venue for everyone. A club may choose for this role to only focus on safeguarding, or also on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). By ‘Safe and Inclusive tennis’ we mean safeguarding and EDI.
This person needs to be the main point of contact for all children and adults to report concerns and disclosures, handling concerns calmly and sensitively in line with the club’s reporting procedure and prioritising the wellbeing of the child/adult at risk at all times. Ideally they will be someone on the club committee, are very approachable but also visible within the club (cannot be the club coach).
Welfare Officer Role Description
The Welfare Officer will also need to attend the LTA Safeguarding and Protection in Tennis training. Click HERE to find a course. The LTA course is usually £30 but if the candidate is a volunteer then they can attend for free.
If none of the LTA course dates are suitable, there some available through the following providers:
● Sports Coach UK Safeguarding and Protecting Children (completed after 23rd January 2017) CLICK HERE
● NSPCC Time to Listen CLICK HERE
● Local Authority Level 1 and above Safeguarding Training