Keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility
It's not up to you to decide whether or not a child is being abused, but it is your responsibility to act if you have concerns. No action is not an option.
Welsh Gymnastics are here to help. Working with clubs, welfare officers and statutory agencies, we make safeguarding a priority. We ensure our members and registered clubs meet specific requirements to safeguard and protect.
(Read more about safeguarding training).
All our registered clubs must:
- Comply with all British Gymnastics' Safeguarding and Protecting Children Policies (link opens in new window)
- Make sure Welsh Gymnastics membership is current, so that insurance cover is in place
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Appoint a welfare officer, who will:
- Respond to child protection and poor practice concerns
- Give advice and support so the club has measures in place to protect children, young people and adults at risk
- Help the club involve children, young people and adults at risk in decision-making and other activities
(Read more about appointing a club welfare officer, link opens in new window) -
Identify everyone in the club who needs a criminal record check – this is known as a DBS (formerly CRB) certificate. Click here to find out who in your club must have this. [Link opens in new window]. The certificate must be renewed every 3 years
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If anyone raises a concern and you think a child is in immediate danger of abuse or at risk of significant harm or in need of protection, then call the police on 999 and/or your local social services
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If the concern does not involve immediate danger, send a Child Protection Incident report form to Welsh Gymnastics. Usually your club welfare officer will complete and send the form, but any club official can do so
Child protection incident report form (Word document, 2MB, opens in new window)
Child protection incident report form (Pdf, 970 KB, opens in new window)
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Ensure everyone who needs a DBS certificate [add link] also completes our recognised safeguarding training
More about safeguarding training
Who needs to do what? Read on for more information about the four safeguarding courses: (All training links below open in new windows):
Foundation Safeguarding
An online course aimed at over-16s, leaders and helpers.
Note that level 1 coaches of any age have to do the full safeguarding and protecting children course.
Find and apply for Foundation Safeguarding
Full safeguarding and protecting children
A face-to-face 3-hour course recommended for everyone who works with children and which is mandatory for everyone who must have a DBS certificate (police check).
Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Training must be re-taken every 3 years, and this refresher training can be done online.
After applying for this course, you will need to pay Welsh Gymnastics.Find and apply for Safeguarding and Protecting Children
Online refresher: Safeguarding and Protecting Children
This refresher is only for people who've completed the full safeguarding and protecting children training.
Find and apply for online refresher: Safeguarding and Protecting Children
Time to Listen
Face-to-face training for club welfare officers, who must:
Be at least 18-years-old on the day of the course
And hold a current Safeguarding and Protecting Children certificate
(Note: The Foundation Safeguarding online course is NOT acceptable as a pre-requisite for the Time to Listen course)
After applying for this course, you will need to pay Welsh Gymnastics [link]
Find and apply for Time to Listen
Further information
Appointing a welfare officer (link opens in new window)
Keeping safe - More information and useful links