Table Tennis Scotland (TTS) Policy on Protecting Vulnerable People

TTS aims to ensure that any vulnerable people, whether children, young people or vulnerable adults, are protected and kept safe from harm while they are with staff and volunteers in this organisation. In order to achieve this we will ensure our staff and volunteers are carefully selected, screened, trained and supervised.

Selection

1. All applicants to our organisation will complete an application form.
2. Short listed applicants will be asked to attend interview.
3. Short listed applicants will be asked to provide references and these will always be taken up prior to confirmation of an appointment.

Screening

4. Where relevant to the post, the successful applicant will be asked to agree to an appropriate disclosure. Disclosures will be requested prior to the applicant taking up post.

Training

5. The successful applicant will receive induction training, which will give an overview of the organisation and ensure they know its purpose, values, services and structure.
6. Relevant training and support will be provided on an ongoing basis, and will cover information about their role, and opportunities for practising skills needed for the work.
7. Training on specific areas such as health & safety procedures, identifying and reporting abuse, and confidentiality will be given as a priority to new staff and volunteers, and will be regularly reviewed.

Supervision

8. All staff and volunteers will have a designated supervisor who will provide regular feedback and support.
9. Every member of staff and volunteer will attend an annual review, where their performance, skills, motivation and expectations will be discussed. Annual reviews will be minuted and copies made available to the member of staff / volunteer.

TTS will ensure that all staff and volunteers involved in recruitment, training and supervision, are aware of this policy and have received appropriate training and support to ensure it full implementation.

Criteria for International selection

Click on Rankings for 'Eligibility for International Selection'.

Introduction

The International Selection Committee will use the selection criteria detailed in this document to select players to represent Scotland at international events.

Selection Committee

The international selection committee will be made up of a minimum of 3 people, the Director of Performance and Excellence, National Coach (if in post), plus other co-opted Table Tennis Scotland members. As much as is possible those co-opted will be Table Tennis Scotland members who are not personally connected with any of the players who might be the considered for selection.

Selection Criteria for International Events

Selection will be based on the following:
1. results from international competition, most recent to take precedence
2. results from domestic competition (UK), most recent to take precedence. Results must include those from at least one TTS Assessment tournament in the player's age group and from the players must have participated in the most recent Scottish National Championships.
3. attendance*, attitude and performance at squad training
4. commitment to the training program specified by the national coach (or coach in charge of the national squads)
5. the long term potential to perform well and benefit from the experience
6. suitability as a team member
7. physical condition - fitness testing results will be consulted
*Allowances will be made for players who live outside Scotland, providing they meet the other training requirements

Communication

Selection decisions taken by the committee will be communicated as soon as possible to all athletes considered for selection, and to the Board of Table Tennis Scotland, by either the National Coach or the Director or Performance and Excellence.

Selection for National Training Camps, Senior and Junior Development Events

The committee for selecting players for these events will be made up of a minimum of 3 people, the Director of Performance and Excellence, National Coach (if in post), plus other co-opted Table Tennis Scotland coaches.
The international selection criteria will be used to select players for these events but it may be that more weight is given to criteria no 3 - 7. When selecting players for lottery funded events, the committee have to take into account conditions of the award. Specific conditions may influence selections e.g. specifications on how the award has to be split among the members of the group.

Warranty

In any selection process there is an element of subjectivity. It is warranted that all selections will be made as far as is possible on the basis of material facts.
Any player who feels that he/she has been dealt with unfairly shall be entitled to request written reasons from the committee as to why a selection decision has gone against him/her.
Requests should be made in writing to the Director of Performance and Excellence. Written reasons for the decision shall be given as soon as is practicable.

Deselection

If a player is injured or falls ill between the date of selection and the date of the event, they are expected to inform the Director of Performance and Excellence. The selection committee may replace a player if the committee feels that the injury or illness will affect their performance at the event, or materially affect their preparation for the event - a medical opinion on the injury or illness may be required.
Players are expected to follow the program of training specified by the National Coach or Coach in charge of the National Squad prior to the event. Failure to do so may lead to deselection.
A players who breaks the TTS Code of Conduct may be deselected.

Recruitment of ex-offenders

Table Tennis Scotland (TTS) Policy on the Recruitment of Ex Offenders

Table Tennis Scotland (TTS) undertakes to treat all applicants for positions within the organisation fairly and not to discriminate unfairly against the subject of a disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.

We will only request a Standard or Enhanced disclosure where it is necessary and relevant to the position sought.

Where a position requires a disclosure we will make this clear on the application form, job advert and any other information provided about the post.

At interview we will ensure that open and measured discussions can take place on the subject of offences. Failure to reveal information at interview, that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment.

At interview or when receiving a disclosure which shows a conviction, we will take into consideration:-

1. Whether the conviction is relevant to the position being offered.
2. The seriousness of the offence revealed.
3. The length of time since the offence took place.
4. Whether the applicant has a pattern of offending behaviour.
5. Whether the applicant’s circumstances have changed since offending took place.

We will ensure that all our staff involved in the recruitment process are aware of this policy and have received relevant training and support.

We undertake to make a copy of this policy available to any applicant for a post Table Tennis Scotland (TTS) that requires a disclosure.

Secure handling of disclosures

Table Tennis Scotland (TTS) Policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information

In accordance with the Scottish Executive Code of Practice, for registered persons and other recipients of Disclosure Information, the Table Tennis Scotland (TTS) will ensure the following practice.

1. Disclosures will only be requested when necessary and relevant to a particular post and the information provided on a disclosure certificate will only be used for recruitment purposes.

2. Table Tennis Scotland will ensure that an individual’s consent is given before seeking a disclosure, and will seek their consent before using disclosure information for any purpose other than recruitment.

3. Disclosure information will only be shared with those authorised to see it in the course of their duties.

4. Where additional disclosure information is provided to Table Tennis Scotland and not to the disclosure applicant, Table Tennis Scotland will not disclose this information to the applicant, but will inform them of the fact that additional information has been provided, should this information affect the recruitment decision.

5. Disclosure information will be stored in a locked non-portable container, for a maximum of 6 months. Only those authorised to see this information in the course of their duties will have access to this container.

6. Disclosure information will be destroyed by shredding.

7. No image or photocopy of the disclosure information will be made, however the following details will be retained:-

8. Date of issue of disclosure

9. Name of subject

10. Disclosure type

11. Position for which disclosure was requested

12. Unique reference number of disclosure

13. Recruitment decision taken.

14. Table Tennis Scotland will ensure that all staff with access to disclosure information are aware of this policy and have received relevant training and support.

15. Table Tennis Scotland undertake to make a copy of this policy available to any applicant for a post with Table Tennis Scotland that requires a disclosure.