Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) and Safeguarding

Community Table Tennis Club acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and Table Tennis Scotland requirements. 

We accept our responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socio-economic background, all members of such groups have a positive and enjoyable experience at our Club, and in coaching sessions that we hold in other establishments, in a safe  environment and are protected from abuse whilst participating in table tennis.

As part of implementing our PVG and Safeguarding policy we will:

• promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults. 
• not allow children to depart from coaching sessions without an accompanying responsible adult unless parental permission has been given for children to depart alone.
• ensure all coaches understand their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and have appropriate safeguarding training to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people 
• ensure that we maintain or have appropriate access to accurate records of contact and medical condition details for all young / disabled participants in our coaching sessions.    
• ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern 
• ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored 
• prevent the membership/deployment of unsuitable individuals. All coaches will have PVG clearance. 
• at all junior and vulnerable adult coaching sessions, a responsible coach will have been through the Disclosure Scotland process satisfactorily and at times during the sessions at least one other responsible adult will be present.

This policy will be widely promoted and is mandatory practice for everyone involved in Gullane Community Table Tennis Club. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in exclusion from the Club.   

Behaviour towards vulnerable person(s) that:

• causes harm – either physical or emotional
• places anyone at risk of such harm – including by failing to observe the club’s Health & Safety policies
• engages in inappropriate sexual or pornographic conduct
• provides inappropriate medical treatment
• involves threatening, coercive or demeaning language or conduct are grounds for referral to Disclosure Scotland and the club has a statutory responsibility to make such a referral.

Monitoring  The policy and all coach PVG certificates will be reviewed every three years, or in the following circumstances: 

• changes in legislation and/or government guidance 
• as required by Table Tennis Scotland
• as a result of any other significant change or event.

All matters relating to PVG should be referred to Jonathan Kinna the Club officer responsible for this policy.   

Jonathan Kinna,   PVG Officer     February 2019 (Reviewed February 2020)

Code of Conduct for Juniors

Gullane Community Table Tennis Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its members. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, all members are encouraged to be open and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with any member of the  club’s committee (see website www.gullanetabletennis.club for list of committee members).

Sports clubs for young people should offer a positive experience where they can learn new things in a safe and positive environment.  Our junior code of conduct is built around respect for each other and the club.  It is intended to make the club a fun place to be for all our juniors, coaches and volunteers. 

Junior members of the club are expected to respect:

• each other
• coaches and volunteer adults
• fair play
• club rules
• equipment

Respect each other.  Juniors are expected to:

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, cultural background or religious beliefs or sexual identity.
• Be friendly, supportive and committed to all others and particularly welcoming to new participants.
• Keep themselves and others safe.

Respect the coach(es) and volunteer adults. Juniors are expected to:

• Respect coaches and club officials.  Engage and participate fully in the coaching sessions.  Listen to and act on the coach(es) instructions and accept their decisions.

Respect fair play. Juniors are expected to:

• Play fairly and be trustworthy and do not cheat.
• Play within the rules and etiquette of the game.
• Respect opponents and be gracious in both victory and defeat.  Always shake hands with and thank their (partner and) opponent(s) at the end of matches.

Respect club equipment. Juniors are expected to:

• Take care of equipment owned by the club and the playing environment.
• Wear suitable kit, namely non-slip (trainer style) shoes and clothing suitable for physical activity – for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach(es).

Respect the rules of the club. Juniors are expected to:

• Report in to their coach / volunteer adult at the start of every session so that their name is recorded in the session register.  Pay their session fee promptly.  Be timely in attending sessions, notify club officials if they are going to be late.
• Abide by the rules of the club including the bans on bullying (including through use of texting / social media), bad language, smoking and drug use in any connection with training sessions or matches.
• Challenge or report the bullying of their peers and to report inappropriate behaviour or risky situations for juniors to the session coach or a club official. 

Junior members of the club have the right to:

• Be safe and happy in their chosen activity.
• Be listened to.
• Be respected and treated fairly.
• Privacy.
• Enjoy their sport in a protective environment.
• Be referred to professional help if needed.
• Be protected from abuse by other members or outside sources.
• Participate on an equal basis, appropriate to their ability.
• Experience competition and the desire to win.
• Be believed.
• Ask for help.

Any misdemeanours and general misbehaviour will be addressed by the immediate coach and reported verbally to the club committee.  Persistent misbehaviour will result in dismissal from the club/sport. Parents will be informed at all stages.

Dismissals can be appealed by the coach/volunteer with final decisions taken by the club committee or referred to the governing body depending on the disciplinary procedures within the sport

Committee, Gullane Community Table Tennis Club, February 2019 (Reviewed 2020)