Gymnastics In Ipswich
Policies

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and it is important that organisations work together to protect people who need help and support.

At Gymnastics in Ipswich (GII) we are committed to safeguarding and protecting all our members from abuse; particularly children whose safety and wellbeing is central in everything we do. This is in line with British Gymnastics whose overall jurisdiction we operate. Child Protection is part of safeguarding and promoting welfare but is specifically the work done to protect specific children who are suffering or are likely to suffer, significant harm.

The Children Act 1989 enshrines in law the key principle that the welfare of children is paramount. Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child provides the right for all children to be safe from violence.

The Care Act 2014 provides a statutory framework to safeguarding adults with care and support needs that may be at risk of abuse or neglect. Adults who lack mental capacity will automatically be deemed vulnerable but some adults with capacity may nonetheless be unable to take care of themselves, or unable to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation.

The aim of the policy is to ensure that everyone can take part in gymnastics without fear of harassment and abuse. To achieve this aim, everyone must understand their role and responsibility for preventing and responding to harassment and abuse concerns, including where the abuse may be occurring outside the gymnastics environment. The policy interprets for the gymnastics community any relevant legislation and statutory guidance for safeguarding children and adults at risk to ensure, as a minimum, that we all comply with all applicable legal responsibilities.

GII will follow the procedures set out for gymnastics by British Gymnastics in their ‘Safeguarding – policy and procedures’ which is available to view or download on the BG website here (pdf format). This document provides the scope for the policy, policy statements, definitions, roles, and responsibilities.

In addition to the above, our policy with regards to Registered Sex Offenders is as follows:

Due to the nature of activities taking place within the Gymnastics Centre and the age profile of our customers, Gymnastics in Ipswich will not allow Registered Sex Offenders who are parents/ guardians/ carers, grandparents, other family, or family friends of the gymnast to stay and watch them training or competing. They will only be able to drop off and collect their own children at the front door and not remain on the grounds of the Centre.

GII has 4 welfare officers of which the Administration and Finance Manager oversees responsibility for safeguarding. If any matter is raised then there is a Regional Welfare Officer employed by British Gymnastics who can be contacted for advice and safeguarding concerns.

All staff over the age of 16 must attend a Safeguarding course as part of their employment.

GII has a dedicated email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. which can be used to raise issues, and this goes to one of the Club Welfare Officers.