Ethics & Welfare

All sporting organisations which make provision for children and young people must ensure that:

  * The welfare of the child is paramount;
  * All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse;
  * All suspicions and allegations of abuse and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately;
  * All staff (paid/unpaid) working in sport have a responsibility to report concerns to the appropriate officer.

Staff/volunteers are not trained to deal with situations of abuse or to decide if abuse has occurred.

 Policy statement

UK Gymnastics has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in UK Gymnastics activities from harm. All children have a right to protection, and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account. UK Gymnastics will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in UK Gymnastics activities through adherence to the Child Protection guidelines adopted by UK Gymnastics.

A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989).

UK Gymnastics Child Protection Policy

UK Child Protection in Sports Units (NSPCC)

England
Child Protection in Sport Unit
NSPCC National Training Centre
3 Gilmour Close
Beaumont Leys
Leicester LE4 1EZ
Tel: 0116 234 7278

Scotland

Child Protection in Sport Unit Scotland
Children 1st
c/o Learning & Teaching Scotland
64 Victoria Crescent Road
Glasgow, G12 9JN
Tel: 0141 342487

Northern Ireland

Child Protection in Sport Unit Northern Ireland
NSPCC
Block 1, Jennymount Business Park
North Derby Street
Belfast
BT15 3HN
Tel: 02890 351135

Wales

Child Protection in Sport Unit Wales
NSPCC
NSPCC Cymru/Wales
Capital Tower
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff, CF10 3AG
Tel: 02920 267000