Safeguarding and ProtectingChildren Policy - London Gymnastics School of Elegance

London Gymnastics School of Elegance

Introduction
Policy Statement
Monitor and Review the Policy and Procedures
Promoting Good Practice
Good Practice
Poor Practice
Defining Child Abuse
Types of Abuse
Indicators of Abuse
Use of Photographic/Filming Equipment at Sporting Events
Responding to Suspicions and Allegations
Receiving Evidence of Possible Abuse
Recording Information
Reporting the Concern
Concerns Outside the Immediate Sporting Environment
Confidentiality
Internal Inquiries and Suspension
Recruiting and Selecting Personnel Working with Children
Controlling Access to Children
London Gymnastics School of Elegance Requirements

1. INTRODUCTION

Everyone who participates in London Gymnastics School of Elegance (LGSE) is entitled to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment.

LGSE has a moral and legal obligation to ensure that, when given responsibility for young people, coaches, staff and volunteers provide them with the highest possible standard of care.

LGSE is committed to implementing policies and procedures so that everyone involved in the club accepts their responsibility to safeguard children from harm and abuse. This includes following appropriate procedures to protect children and reporting concerns about their welfare.

The aim of this policy is to promote good practice, provide children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of LGSE, and enable staff and volunteers to make informed and confident responses to child safeguarding concerns.

For the purposes of this policy, a child or young person is anyone under the age of 18.

LGSE is a British Gymnastics registered club and follows applicable British Gymnastics safeguarding policies, procedures and guidance.

2. POLICY STATEMENT

London Gymnastics School of Elegance is committed to the following:

the welfare of the child is paramount;
all children, whatever their age, culture, ability, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief or sexual identity, should be able to participate in gymnastics in a fun and safe environment;
taking all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination and degrading treatment and to respect their rights, wishes and feelings;
all suspicions and allegations of poor practice or abuse will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately;
all LGSE staff and volunteers who work with children will be recruited with regard to their suitability for that responsibility and will be provided with appropriate guidance and/or training in good practice and safeguarding procedures; and
working in partnership with parents/carers and children is essential for the protection and welfare of children.

3. MONITOR AND REVIEW THE POLICY AND PROCEDURES

The implementation of this policy and its procedures should be regularly monitored.

The Club Welfare Officer should report any relevant safeguarding issues, challenges or areas where changes may be required to LGSE management.

This policy will be formally reviewed every three years, or sooner whenever there is a major change in the organisation, relevant legislation, statutory safeguarding guidance or British Gymnastics safeguarding policies or procedures.

4. PROMOTING GOOD PRACTICE

To provide children with the best possible experience and opportunities in gymnastics, everyone must operate within an accepted ethical framework and follow all club procedures.

It is not always easy to distinguish poor practice from abuse. It is therefore NOT the responsibility of employees, coaches, volunteers or participants in gymnastics to decide whether abuse has taken place.

It is, however, their responsibility to identify possible poor practice or abuse and to act if they have concerns about the welfare of a child.

This section will help identify what is meant by good practice and poor practice.

5. GOOD PRACTICE

All personnel should adhere to the following principles and actions:

always work in an open environment, avoiding private or unobserved situations and encouraging open communication;
make the experience of gymnastics fun and enjoyable, promote fairness and appropriately challenge bullying;
treat all young people equally and with respect and dignity;
always put the welfare of the young person first, before any competitive or performance objective;
maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children;
avoid unnecessary physical contact with young people. Where manual or physical support is necessary for safe and effective coaching, it should be appropriate to the activity, provided openly and in accordance with current British Gymnastics guidance;
involve parents/carers wherever appropriate, for example where young people need assistance or supervision outside normal coaching activities;
obtain appropriate parental consent where club officials are required to transport young people;
obtain appropriate parental consent for significant travel arrangements, including overnight stays;
ensure appropriate adult supervision arrangements for away events and trips;
be an excellent role model, including not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of young people;
always give enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative or degrading criticism;
recognise the developmental needs and capacity of the young person and do not sacrifice their welfare in pursuit of club or personal achievements. This includes avoiding excessive training or competition and not forcing children to train against their will;
obtain appropriate parental consent for emergency first aid or medical treatment where required; and
keep an appropriate written record of significant injuries or incidents and any treatment given.

6. POOR PRACTICE

The following are regarded as poor practice and should be avoided by all personnel:

unnecessarily spending excessive amounts of time alone with young people away from others;
taking young people alone in a car without appropriate parental knowledge and consent;
taking young people to your home where they will be alone with you;
sharing a room with a young person except where specifically permitted under appropriate safeguarding arrangements;
engaging in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including inappropriate horseplay;
allowing or engaging in inappropriate touching of any form;
allowing inappropriate or abusive language to go unchallenged;
making sexually suggestive comments to a young person, even in fun;
reducing a young person to tears as a form of control;
allowing allegations made by a young person to go unrecorded or not acted upon; and
doing things of a personal nature for a young person that they can do for themselves.

Where it is impractical or impossible to avoid a particular situation, appropriate safeguards should be put in place with the knowledge and consent of the parent/carer and, where appropriate, the young person.

If, during your care, you accidentally hurt a young person, a young person appears significantly distressed by your actions, or a young person misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done, the incident should be reported as soon as reasonably possible to the Club Welfare Officer or another appropriate club official and an accurate written record should be made. Parents/carers should also be informed where appropriate.

7. DEFINING CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse is any form of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that causes, or is likely to cause, harm to a child.

Abuse commonly occurs within a relationship of trust or responsibility and involves an abuse of power or breach of trust. Abuse can happen to any child regardless of age, gender, race, disability or ability.

The main categories of abuse include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.

An abuser may be a family member, another child, a person in the community or someone the young person encounters through sport or leisure activities.

An individual may abuse or neglect a young person directly or may fail to protect them from harm.

Children with disabilities or additional needs may face additional safeguarding risks because of factors including communication barriers, isolation, stereotyping, discrimination or increased dependence on adults.

8. TYPES OF ABUSE

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.

Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates or induces symptoms of illness in a child.

In sport, physical abuse may occur where the nature or intensity of training is inappropriate for the child’s age, physical development or ability, or where training practices cause avoidable harm.

Manual support and flexibility training must be carried out in accordance with current British Gymnastics safeguarding policies and guidance, including the British Gymnastics Flexibility Training Policy.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child which may cause severe and lasting adverse effects on their emotional development.

It may involve making a child feel worthless, inadequate or unloved, imposing expectations inappropriate to their age or development, or causing a child to feel frightened or unsafe.

Emotional abuse in sport may include persistent humiliation, intimidation, inappropriate criticism, threatening behaviour or placing unreasonable pressure on a young person to perform beyond their capability.

Bullying may form part of emotional abuse.

Bullying may be physical, verbal, emotional, discriminatory, sexual or online and may be carried out by another young person or an adult.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs where this is likely to result in serious impairment of the child’s health or development.

In sport, neglect may include failing to provide an appropriately safe environment, failing to respond appropriately to injury or illness, or exposing a child to unnecessary risk of harm.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.

It may involve physical contact or non-contact activities, including involving children in looking at or producing sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging sexually inappropriate behaviour or grooming a child.

In sport, the position of trust held by a coach or other adult must never be misused.

9. INDICATORS OF ABUSE

It is not always easy to recognise when abuse may be occurring. Possible indicators may include:

unexplained or suspicious injuries, particularly where the explanation appears inconsistent;
a child describing what appears to be an abusive act;
another child or adult expressing concern about the welfare of a child;
unexplained changes in behaviour, including becoming very upset, quiet, withdrawn or displaying sudden outbursts of temper;
inappropriate sexual awareness or sexually explicit behaviour;
distrust of adults, particularly those with whom a close relationship would normally be expected;
difficulty making friends or being prevented from socialising;
significant unexplained changes in eating patterns or weight; or
deterioration in personal care or appearance.

Possible signs of bullying may include:

reduced concentration;
becoming withdrawn, clingy, depressed or tearful;
reluctance to attend training or competitions;
an unexplained drop in performance;
physical symptoms such as stomach aches, headaches or difficulty sleeping;
unexplained injuries or damaged belongings; or
frequent loss of possessions.

This list is not exhaustive. The presence of one or more indicators does not in itself prove that abuse is taking place.

It is NOT the responsibility of those working within LGSE to determine whether child abuse has occurred. It IS their responsibility to act on safeguarding concerns.

10. USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC/FILMING EQUIPMENT AT SPORTING EVENTS

Photography and filming involving children must be undertaken responsibly and in accordance with LGSE procedures and applicable British Gymnastics guidance.

Parents/carers and gymnasts should be informed where photography or filming is planned as part of club activities or where coaches use video equipment as a coaching aid.

Any concern regarding inappropriate photography or filming should be reported to the Club Welfare Officer.

11. RESPONDING TO SUSPICIONS AND ALLEGATIONS

It is not the responsibility of anyone working within LGSE, whether in a paid or unpaid capacity, to decide whether child abuse has taken place.

However, everyone has a responsibility to act appropriately on safeguarding concerns and report them so that appropriate action can be considered.

This applies both to concerns arising within LGSE and concerns that abuse or harm may be taking place outside the club.

Safeguarding concerns should normally be reported promptly to the Club Welfare Officer.

Where a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm, appropriate statutory authorities should be contacted without delay. Where a child is at immediate risk, the Police should be contacted by calling 999.

12. RECEIVING EVIDENCE OF POSSIBLE ABUSE

We may become aware of possible abuse in different ways. It may be witnessed, suspected because of signs or behaviour, reported by another person, or disclosed directly by the child.

If a young person says or indicates that they are being abused, you should:

stay calm so as not to frighten the young person;
reassure the child that they are not to blame and that they were right to tell;
listen carefully and show that you are taking them seriously;
keep questions to a minimum and ask only what is necessary to clarify what has been said;
do not ask leading questions or suggest words or explanations to the child;
explain that you cannot promise secrecy and that information may need to be shared with people who can help;
make the safety of the child the priority;
if urgent medical attention is required, obtain appropriate medical assistance and explain the safeguarding concern to the relevant medical professionals;
make an accurate record of the information; and
report the concern promptly to the Club Welfare Officer.

13. RECORDING INFORMATION

To ensure information is as helpful as possible, an accurate record should be made as soon as reasonably possible following a disclosure or concern.

When recording information, confine yourself to the facts and clearly distinguish between what you personally know or observed and what has been reported to you by others. Do not record personal opinions or assumptions as facts.

Where relevant, information should include:

the child’s name, age and date of birth;
relevant contact details;
whether the person making the report is expressing their own concern or reporting someone else’s concern;
the nature of the allegation or concern, including dates, times and other relevant information;
a description of any visible injury or relevant behavioural changes;
details of any witnesses;
the child’s account, where appropriate, using the child’s own words where possible;
whether the parents/carers have been contacted and what was communicated;
whether anyone else has been consulted and what action was taken; and
details of the person against whom an allegation has been made, where applicable.

Safeguarding records must be stored securely and access restricted to those who have a legitimate need to know.

14. REPORTING THE CONCERN

All safeguarding concerns and allegations must be taken seriously and responded to appropriately.

LGSE staff, coaches and volunteers should report any concern about the welfare or safety of a child promptly to the Club Welfare Officer.

The Club Welfare Officer will consider the nature and seriousness of the concern and determine the appropriate next steps in accordance with British Gymnastics safeguarding policies and procedures.

Depending on the circumstances, appropriate action may include:

recording and monitoring the concern;
addressing a less serious poor practice or conduct matter within the club;
obtaining relevant factual information in order to understand the concern;
seeking safeguarding advice from British Gymnastics;
referring concerns involving suspected child abuse, serious or repeated poor practice, or a serious alleged breach of British Gymnastics Standards of Conduct to British Gymnastics;
referring an allegation concerning an adult who works with children to the relevant Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), where the appropriate threshold is met;
making a referral to Children’s Social Care where there are reasonable grounds to believe that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm; or
contacting the Police where a criminal offence may have been committed or where a child is at immediate risk.

Not every complaint or concern about a coach, member of staff or volunteer will require referral to British Gymnastics or a statutory safeguarding authority. Less serious concerns that do not indicate possible abuse, serious or repeated poor practice, or a serious breach of applicable standards may be managed appropriately within the club.

Where a concern may involve child abuse, serious or repeated poor practice, or another matter requiring referral under British Gymnastics safeguarding procedures, the Club Welfare Officer will refer or seek advice from British Gymnastics as appropriate.

Where there are reasonable grounds to believe that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm, the matter must be referred promptly to the appropriate statutory safeguarding authority. Where a child is in immediate danger, the Police should be contacted by calling 999.

If the Club Welfare Officer is unavailable and the concern is urgent, necessary safeguarding action must not be delayed. Appropriate advice or assistance should be sought directly from British Gymnastics, Children’s Social Care, the LADO or the Police, depending on the circumstances.

LGSE will cooperate with British Gymnastics and statutory safeguarding authorities where a matter is referred to them. The club will not conduct an internal investigation in a way that could prejudice an external safeguarding or criminal investigation.

Parents/carers will be informed where appropriate, taking into account the welfare of the child, confidentiality requirements and any advice received from British Gymnastics or the relevant statutory safeguarding authority.

If the concern relates to the Club Welfare Officer, it should be reported to LGSE management and/or directly to British Gymnastics or the appropriate statutory safeguarding authority.

Concerns or allegations reported some time after an alleged incident must still be taken seriously and considered under the appropriate safeguarding procedure.

15. CONCERNS OUTSIDE THE IMMEDIATE SPORTING ENVIRONMENT

Where there is a safeguarding concern relating to circumstances outside the immediate gymnastics environment, for example involving a parent, carer or another person:

report the concern to the Club Welfare Officer;
the Club Welfare Officer will consider the appropriate action in accordance with British Gymnastics safeguarding procedures;
where there is a risk of significant harm, Children’s Social Care and/or the Police should be contacted without delay;
where there is immediate danger, call 999;
the Club Welfare Officer should inform LGSE management where appropriate; and
confidentiality must be maintained on a need-to-know basis.

16. CONFIDENTIALITY

Every reasonable effort should be made to maintain appropriate confidentiality for everyone concerned.

Safeguarding information should be handled and shared only on a need-to-know basis. Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

the Club Welfare Officer;
appropriate members of LGSE management;
the child’s parents/carers, where appropriate;
the person making the allegation or raising the concern;
British Gymnastics;
Children’s Social Care;
the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO);
the Police; and
other appropriate safeguarding authorities.

Information about the person against whom an allegation has been made should also be handled appropriately and confidentially.

Safeguarding information and records must be stored securely with access limited to authorised persons and handled in accordance with applicable data protection law.

17. INTERNAL INQUIRIES AND SUSPENSION

Where an allegation or safeguarding concern is made against a member of staff, coach or volunteer, LGSE will consider whether any immediate precautionary measures are necessary to protect children while the concern is being considered.

Any decision regarding temporary suspension or other restrictions will be based on the nature and seriousness of the concern, the potential risk to children, and any advice received from British Gymnastics, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), Children’s Social Care or the Police.

Suspension is a precautionary measure and does not in itself imply that an allegation has been proven.

Where an external investigation is being undertaken, LGSE will cooperate with the relevant authority and will not take action that could prejudice that investigation.

Following the conclusion of any external safeguarding or disciplinary process, LGSE management will consider whether any further internal action is required, with the welfare of children remaining paramount.

18. RECRUITING AND SELECTING PERSONNEL WORKING WITH CHILDREN

It is important that all reasonable steps are taken to prevent unsuitable people from working with children.

This applies to paid staff and volunteers, whether full-time or part-time.

LGSE will follow appropriate safe recruitment practices and relevant British Gymnastics requirements when recruiting people to roles involving children.

19. CONTROLLING ACCESS TO CHILDREN

Where appropriate to the role and in accordance with British Gymnastics requirements and applicable law:

applicants may be required to complete an application or provide relevant information concerning their suitability for the role;
appropriate criminal record checks, including DBS checks where eligible and required, will be undertaken;
appropriate references may be obtained;
evidence of identity and relevant qualifications will be checked; and
safeguarding responsibilities and the requirements of the role will be explained during induction.

Interview and Induction

Relevant staff and volunteers should receive an appropriate induction during which:

relevant information and checks are confirmed;
qualifications are verified where applicable;
responsibilities and expectations are explained;
LGSE safeguarding procedures and codes of conduct are explained; and
any safeguarding training requirements are identified.

Training

In addition to appropriate recruitment checks, relevant staff and volunteers should receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role to help them:

understand and maintain good safeguarding practice;
recognise their responsibilities and report concerns about poor practice or possible abuse;
respond appropriately to concerns expressed by a child; and
work safely and effectively with children.

20. LONDON GYMNASTICS SCHOOL OF ELEGANCE REQUIREMENTS

LGSE requires:

staff, coaches and volunteers working with children to complete appropriate safeguarding and recruitment checks applicable to their role, including DBS checks where required and eligible;
coaches, Welfare Officers and other relevant personnel to undertake appropriate safeguarding training in accordance with their role and British Gymnastics requirements;
staff and volunteers to receive appropriate information about good and poor practice and what to do if they have concerns about the behaviour of an adult or another person towards a child;
coaches and other relevant personnel to maintain qualifications and training required for their roles; and
everyone working with children within LGSE to follow this policy and applicable British Gymnastics safeguarding policies, procedures and guidance.

Designated Safeguarding Lead /Club Welfare Officer: Irina Dronik
Email: welfareofficer@gymnasticselegance.co.uk

General club enquiries: info@gymnasticselegance.co.uk

Policy reviewed: September 2026
Next scheduled review: September 2029

This policy may be reviewed earlier where there are significant changes to legislation, statutory safeguarding guidance, British Gymnastics safeguarding policies or procedures, or the activities or structure of the club.

Safeguarding and Protecting
Children Policy

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