Everyone who plays padel has the right to do so safely. This policy explains how Rally & Roam protects children (anyone under 18) and adults at risk who take part in lessons, camps, events and games found through our platform, and how to raise a concern.

Our commitments

The welfare of children and adults at risk comes first, always.
We take every concern seriously and act on it promptly.
We work with clubs, coaches, operators, national governing bodies and the authorities when someone may be at risk.
We review this policy at least once a year and after any serious incident.

Who can use the platform

Accounts are for people aged 16 and over.
A parent or guardian must book lessons, camps and events for anyone under 18 and give the details the coach or operator needs, including any medical or support needs.
Under-18s should not use member messaging, games or groups to arrange to meet adults.

Coaches

Every coach tells us their coaching qualifications when they join, and we check them before their profile is published.
Coaches who coach anyone under 18 must give us a current safeguarding declaration, such as an enhanced DBS check with barred list check in England and Wales, a PVG membership in Scotland, an AccessNI check in Northern Ireland, or the equivalent where they coach. We aim to check declarations within two working days.
Coaches agree to follow their governing body's code of conduct, keep a parent or guardian informed, coach juniors in open, visible settings, and never contact a child privately outside arranged sessions or through personal social media.
We remove a coach's listing straight away while we look into any safeguarding concern.

Clubs and event operators

Clubs and operators who run junior sessions or camps must have their own safeguarding policy and a named safeguarding lead, check the people who work with children, and follow the guidance of their national governing body, such as the LTA in Great Britain.

Adults at risk

Some adults may need extra support to stay safe, for example because of a disability, illness or circumstances that make them vulnerable to abuse or exploitation. Coaches and operators should make reasonable adjustments, respect their choices, and raise a concern if they think someone is being harmed.

How to raise a concern

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 (or 112 outside the UK).
Tell us using Report next to the coach, club, event or member, choosing "safety", or contact us through the Help centre. Safety reports go to the top of our queue.
You can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 for advice about a child, or your local council's safeguarding team. Children can call Childline on 0800 1111.

You do not need to be certain or have proof. Tell us what you saw or heard, when, and who was involved. We treat concerns confidentially and share information only with those who need it to keep someone safe.

What we do with a concern

We record it, act to protect anyone at risk, suspend the listing or account involved where needed, and refer it to the police, the local authority designated officer, the relevant governing body or the Disclosure and Barring Service where appropriate. We support people who raise concerns in good faith and do not tolerate anyone being treated badly for doing so.

Safeguarding lead

Our safeguarding lead is responsible for this policy and for handling concerns. Contact them through the routes above.

Safeguarding policy