Coaches and Gymnasts Code of Conduct

The Coaches and Gymnasts Code of Conduct is designed to support the policies and procedures of Evolution Gymnastics Club together with IGA coaching guidelines and policies. It represents the essence of gold-standard conduct and practice and exists to promote a professional, safe, and enjoyable gymnastics experience for all Club members.

Responsibilities of The Coaches

The Relationship with the Gymnast

· Always be publicly open when working with gymnasts and take care when providing manual support

· Never take a gymnast to their home or other scheduled place, and when transporting gymnasts, explicit permission will be sought from the parent/guardian

· Never do things of a personal nature that a child can do for themselves

· At all times, be concerned for the safety, well-being, protection, and future of the gymnast

· Treat all young people with fairly and with kindness, and ensure they feel valued

· Develop an appropriate working relationship with participants, based on mutual trust and respect

· Never use sanctions that humiliate or harm young people, either physically or emotionally 

· Not engage in any sexual relationship with a young person who is connected, directly or indirectly, in any way to the club 

Rights of the Gymnast

· Always protect and champion the rights of their gymnasts 

· Provide an environment in which children are free from fear or harassment

· Recognise the rights of performers to be treated as individuals

· Appreciate their efforts and not over-train young athletes 

· Role model, and instil in their gymnasts, the core values of the Club: Respect, Trust, Kindness, Positivity, Inspiration and Achievement

· Always consider the well-being and safety of participants before the development of performance
 

Health, Safety, and Well-being of the Gymnasts

Evolution Gymnastics Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all our gymnasts and that gymnasts, coaches, administrators, and parents associated with the Club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Gymnasts and parents are encouraged to always be open and share any concerns that they may have about any aspect of the Club with the Club Owners, Manager, Head Coach, or the Club Welfare Officer.  

It is the Coaches responsibility to:  

· Ensure the safety of all children by providing effective supervision, proper pre-planning of age- and level-appropriate coaching sessions, and always use safe methods.

· Be immediately accessible and never leave the premises while a session is in progress

· Always ensure that there is a minimum of two responsible adults present during each session; one of which must be level 2 or above, the other must not be a participating gymnast

· Never allow rough or dangerous play, bullying, or the use of bad language or inappropriate behaviour between or towards gymnasts - any gymnast who does not adhere to the rules or who is seen to compromise their own or others safety may be removed from training by the Coach

· Never allow any discrimination on the grounds of religious beliefs, race, gender, social classes, or ability 

· Treat all allegations or suspicions of abuse seriously and with discretion

· Maintain confidentiality about sensitive information relating to the Club 

· Keep information relating to a gymnast confidential unless it is a specific welfare matter

· Hold a duty of care that includes a responsibility to ensure that equipment is safe to use, suitable for purpose and set appropriately for the gymnasts’ ability levels

· Ensure all Health and Safety matters are recorded and are obligated to bring them to the attention of the Club Manager and Welfare Officer

· Record all incidents and accidents in line with the club’s procedures and inform parents accordingly

· Never allow any reported accidents or incidents of alleged abuse or poor practice go unchallenged or unrecorded and ensure they are reported to the designated person

· Administer first aid and where required, refer more serious incidents to a senior first-aider

· Have access to telephone for immediate contact to emergency services if required

Role Modelling 

Evolution Gymnastics believes that being a positive role model is one of the key responsibilities of a sports Coach. Demonstrating the key tenets of sport not only helps gymnasts develop within their sport, but also translates to positive character development across all areas of their lives. 

As such, Coaches must: 

· Follow all guidelines laid down by Evolution Gymnastics Club and IGA

· Always promote the positive aspects of sport and particularly gymnastics, including fair play, professionalism, integrity, self-control, courage, support, and persistence

· Encourage all gymnasts to value their performances, not just results

· Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour

· Display consistently high standards of professionalism, behaviour and appearance and never use inappropriate language

· Communicate politely and professionally, and always show respect and courtesy with all members of the club including gymnasts, parents/carers and other Coaches

· Never exert undue influence over gymnasts or other coaches to obtain personal benefit or any kind

· Wear appropriate coaching attire as provided by the Club during training and competitions

· Provide adequate notice if unable to attend a session, meeting, or other scheduled event

· Refrain from smoking and consumption of alcohol during club activities, events or coaching sessions

· Have appropriate valid qualifications, IGA insurance, and valid enhanced DBS disclosure – any conviction of a criminal offence during the term of volunteering must be reported to the Club Owners and/or Head Coach

Responsibilities of The Gymnasts 

Relationship with the Coach

· Always respect and follow the instructions of their Coach 

· Inform their Coach of any injuries or illness they have before the warm-up begins or any injuries that are sustained during the session

· Keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their Coach if they are going to be late 

· Sign in at the beginning of all training sessions and remain with the Coaches at the end of a session until collected by their parent or carer, unless written parental consent has been given for the gymnasts to leave the facility and walk home unaccompanied

· Never leave the gymnasium or sports hall without the permission of their coach

Behaviour, Safety and Well-being

· Wear suitable attire (gymnastics leotards and gymnastics shorts) for training and events as agreed with the Coach. 

· All long hair must be tied back to avoid contact with the face

· All jewellery must be removed prior to the start of any training or competition. In the event that jewellery cannot be removed (e.g. newly pierced earrings), then the gymnast must discuss with their Coach to agree an alternative (e.g. taping, etc)

· Never eat food or chew gum during a session – water is allowed.

· Maintain a high standard of behaviour at all times and never use inappropriate language 

· Treat all equipment with respect and must not climb upon or use any equipment unless instructed to do so and / or accompanied by a coach.

Role Modelling 

In the same way that Coaches have a responsibility to role model professional and positive behaviours, gymnasts must also do the same. Demonstrating positive behaviours during training and other events sets a professional tone for all members of Evolution and other gymnastics clubs. 

Gymnasts must: 

· Participate within the rules and respect Coaches, Judges and Officials and their decisions

· Respect their opponents and fellow gymnasts

· Not smoke, consume or take or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs of any kind when training or representing the Club at any event, including at training and competitions

Definitions and Abbreviations  

Child(ren) / Young People:  Individuals who have not yet reached their 18th birthday  

Safeguarding:  Safeguarding involves the measures we implement to advance the well-being of children and shield them from harm.  

Extremism:  Extremism refers to the expression or active resistance against core British values, which encompass democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect, as well as the tolerance of diverse faiths and beliefs.  

Position of Trust: A position of trust involves an individual holding authority over another person. It is necessary to safeguard young individuals aged 16 and 17 who, despite reaching the legal age of consent for sexual activity, remain vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation under specific circumstances. These circumstances include engaging in sexual activity and relationships with adults who hold positions of trust, responsibility, or authority, exerting significant power and influence in the lives of the young individuals. 

In our policies and procedures, we consider coaches, safeguarding leads, judges, and other officials to be in positions of trust, even if the legal definition does not explicitly include those roles. These definitions and indicators serve as guidelines and are not intended to be definitive. It is important to note that many children may exhibit some of these indicators at certain times, and the presence of one or more indicators should not be automatically interpreted as proof of ongoing abuse. 

Other factors such as a recent death, the arrival of a new baby in the family, or parental/carer relationship issues can also contribute to changes in behaviour. When assessing whether indicators are linked to abuse or not, authorities will always consider them within the context of the child's development and circumstances.  

Types of Abuse:   Any intentional act or omission that leads to harm, excluding accidents.  

Bullying or cyber-bullying:  Bullying is the act of engaging in behaviour that inflicts harm upon another individual. This behaviour encompasses actions such as name-calling, physical aggression, pushing, spreading rumours, making threats, and undermining someone.  

Typically, bullying occurs repeatedly over an extended duration and can cause both physical and emotional distress to the child targeted. On the other hand, cyberbullying refers to bullying that occurs in the online realm. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can persistently affect the child regardless of their location, taking place through social networks, online gaming, and mobile phones.  

Emotional Abuse:  Emotional abuse refers to the ongoing mistreatment of a child that results in severe and enduring negative impacts on their emotional development. 

This form of abuse involves conveying messages to children and young people that they are worthless, unloved, inadequate, or only valued based on meeting the needs of others. It can also involve placing inappropriate expectations on children, exceeding their developmental abilities. 

Additionally, emotional abuse may include overprotection, limiting exploration and learning opportunities, or preventing normal social interactions. One aspect of emotional abuse is constant criticism, name-calling, sarcasm, bullying, or placing unrealistic pressure on children to consistently meet high expectations, such as in a sporting context.  

Hazing: Hazing behaviours are observed in various social groups, including sports teams, as a means of initiating new members or seeking social acceptance among peers.  

Neglect:  Neglect involves the ongoing failure to fulfil a child's essential and/or physical requirements, which can significantly impede their health or overall development. In a sports setting, neglect could manifest as a coach's inability to ensure the safety and well-being of children, neglecting to provide them with appropriate comfort, or subjecting them to extreme cold or avoidable injury risks.  

Non-accidental violence:  The umbrella term encompassing both abuse and harassment.  

Physical Abuse: Physical abuse refers to the deliberate infliction of physical harm upon a child or young person. It encompasses various actions, including but not limited to hitting, throwing, shaking, poisoning, burning, or scalding. In the context of sports, instances of physical abuse can arise when the training and competition demands surpass the physical capabilities of the child or young person's developing body, or when performance-enhancing drugs are employed to enhance performance or delay puberty.  

Sexual Abuse:  Sexual abuse entails compelling or enticing a child or young person to engage in sexual activities, irrespective of whether there is a high level of violence involved, and regardless of the child's awareness of the situation.  

These activities may involve physical contact, such as assault by penetration (e.g., rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts like masturbation, kissing, rubbing, and touching over clothing. Additionally, they can encompass non-contact actions, such as exposing children to sexual images, involving them in the production or viewing of sexual content, encouraging sexually inappropriate behaviours, grooming a child for abuse (including online grooming), or engaging in activities to prepare for abuse.  

It's important to note that sexual abuse is not exclusive to adult males, as women, other children, and young people can also perpetrate such acts. In the context of sports, coaching techniques involving physical contact with children can create situations where sexual abuse may go unnoticed.  

The power dynamic between the coach and the child/young person, if abused, can contribute to the development of abusive situations. One challenge in assessing whether sexual assault has occurred is the issue of exploitation. Other symptoms may include pain, itching, bruising, bleeding in the genital or anal areas, genital discharge, urinary tract infections, stomach pains, discomfort while walking or sitting, or sexually transmitted infections.  

Contact Information 

Evolution Gymnastics Safeguarding Team:  

Evolutiongymnasticsuk@outlook.com  

(note “FAO: Safeguarding Team” in subject line) 

Evolution Gymnastics Welfare Officer:   

Laura Stafford 

Email:   laura.stafford_30@hotmail.com  

Other organisations:   

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk www.thecpsu.org.uk 1 

KIDSCAPE (Parent Helpline) 0845 1205 204 https://www.kidscape.org.uk2 

Family Lives 0808 8002 222 https://www.familylives.org.uk 3 

Background:  

At Evolution Gymnastics, we firmly believe that protecting the safety, welfare and happiness of all children and young people is the responsibility of every individual. We are fully committed to preventing abuse and ensuring the wellbeing of all our members and as such, take a zero-tolerance approach to all types of abuse. The safety and welfare of children and young people are our top priorities and central to all our endeavours and we recognise the significance of collaborative efforts among organisations to safeguard those in need of assistance and support.  

Evolution Gymnastics also acknowledges its responsibility towards vulnerable adults who may be at risk within the community.  Our procedures are based on the principle that the welfare of individuals is paramount, and we are dedicated to ensuring the protection of everyone, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual identity. Evolution Gymnastics stands ready to support anyone who reports concerns in good faith, where someone may be at risk or experiencing abuse. Abuse can manifest in various forms, including emotional, neglect, physical, and sexual abuse, stemming from both actions and inactions.  

We recognise our duty of care to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we are committed to aligning our safeguarding practices with government guidance, statutory obligations, and best practices. Recent and historical incidents of abuse within various sports have shed light on the vulnerability of athletes at all levels. 

Individuals may become targets of harassment and abuse due to factors such as age, appearance, athletic ability, disability, gender identity, race, religion, belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other distinguishing characteristic. Disabled individuals or those who identify as LGBTQ+ face an increased risk of abuse.  

Abuse can occur both in-person and in digital environments, within the home or extended family, other organisations or community settings, chatrooms, or involving digital/mobile devices. Typically, the perpetrator of abuse is someone known to the individual. While abuse and harassment often involve individuals in positions of trust or power, children and young people can also be victims of abuse by their peers, which may include bullying, hazing, or exploitation.  

Abuse can have long-lasting psychological effects, particularly if the victim has been unable to disclose the abuse or receive adequate support. Individuals who have experienced abuse during their childhood or adolescence may encounter challenges in maintaining stable, trusting relationships, and they may be at higher risk of substance abuse, mental health issues, or self-harm.  

Although sport can provide opportunities for individuals with harmful intentions, sports clubs can also serve as safe spaces for those who have experienced abuse in other settings. It is crucial to recognise that individuals who have regular contact with children, young people, and at-risk individuals are well-positioned to identify signs of abuse. This becomes particularly important when someone is unable or finds it difficult to recognise and share their concerns, highlighting the reliance on others to remain vigilant and attentive to possible indicators of abuse.  

Effective information sharing is a crucial aspect of safeguarding. While data protection laws should not be viewed as barriers to sharing necessary information for the protection of children and young people, caution must be exercised to ensure that any personal information shared adheres to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act (2018).  

Sports bodies and organisations play a significant role in fostering a zero-tolerance approach towards all forms of abuse and taking proactive steps to prevent harm, which includes addressing poor or unsafe practices, combating discrimination, harassment, and victimisation, tackling bullying, or hazing, as well as addressing the issue of extremism.  

Relevant National, International Legislation and Statements  

Working Together to Safeguard Children (A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children HM Government) sets the frame for the safeguarding of children and young people in England and applies explicitly to sports organisations and to anyone working within these organisations, whether paid or a volunteer. “There are many sports clubs and organisations including voluntary and private sector providers who deliver a wide range of sporting activities to children. Some of these will be community amateur sports clubs, some will be charities. All should have the arrangements described in this chapter in place and should collaborate to work effectively with the safeguarding partners as required by any local safeguarding arrangements. Paid and volunteer staff need to be aware of their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, how they should respond to child protection concerns and how to make a referral to local authority children’s care or the police if necessary.” (Chapter 2 – Page 74 – Paragraph 63)4 

Working together to safeguard children (2018) describes safeguarding children as the actions we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm, which involves: 

• Protecting children from maltreatment 
• Preventing impairment to children’s health and or development 
• Ensuring children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care 
• Taking actions to enable all children to have the best outcomes possible. 4 

Children Act (1989) enshrines in law that the welfare of children is paramount, UN convention on the rights of children (article 19) provides the right that all children be safe from violence. 5  

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. 6 

IOC Consensus Statement: Harassment and Abuse in Sport (2016) highlights that it is incumbent upon all stakeholders in sport both to adopt general principles for safe sport as well as to implement and monitor both policies and procedures for safe sport that state that all athletes have a right to be treated with respect, protected from non-accidental violence and the welfare of athletes is paramount. 7 

The purpose and scope of this policy statement  

Evolution Gymnastics engages with children and families through various activities, which include parties, fund raising events, competitions, displays, and gymnastics training. The purpose of this policy statement is to ensure that everyone involved can have a positive and enjoyable experience in gymnastics, within a safe and child-centred environment.  

To achieve this, it is essential that everyone understands their responsibilities in preventing and responding to disclosures or concerns, even in situations where the abuse may occur outside the gymnastics environment.  

Our primary objectives are as follows:  

• Protect children and young people who receive services from Evolution Gymnastics, including the children of adults who utilise our services 
• Provide staff, volunteers, children, young people, and their families with overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection 
• Foster an understanding that any form of non-accidental violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated 
• Ensure that individuals know what steps to take if they have concerns about someone's welfare and promote a culture where no one fears retaliation for raising a concern 
• Establish a clear understanding of responsibilities in reporting concerns about the welfare of individuals at risk, even if the concern pertains to an individual or environment outside the realm of sports. This policy applies to anyone working for, with or on behalf of Evolution Gymnastics.  

Legal framework:  This policy has been developed in accordance with the legislation, policies, and guidance aimed at safeguarding children in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A summary of the crucial legislation and guidance can be found at www.nspcc.org.uk/childprotection  

Supporting documents:  This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance, and other related documents 

• Role of the designated safeguarding officer 
• Worried about a child 
• Dealing with allegations made against a gymnastics coach or volunteer 
• Code of conduct for staff and volunteers 
• Code of conduct for children and young people 
• Code of conduct for Parents/Carers 
• Photography and Filming 
• Safer recruitment 
• Online safety 
• Anti-bullying 
• Complaints Policy 
• Whistleblowing 
• Health and safety 
• Participant to Coach Ratio  

Our Commitments: We firmly believe that safeguarding is a collective responsibility, and as such, everyone involved in working with children, regardless of whether they are paid or volunteers, has a duty to ensure their safety. At Evolution Gymnastics, we hold the following beliefs: 

• Children and young people should never experience any form of abuse 
• We are all responsible for promoting the welfare of all children and young people, ensuring their safety, and conducting ourselves in a manner that protects them 
• Everyone has the right to participate in gymnastics within a safe environment, free from abuse, regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background.  

We acknowledge the following:  

• The well-being of the child is of utmost importance 
• All children, irrespective of their characteristics, have the right to equal protection from harm or abuse 
• Some children may be more vulnerable due to their past experiences, level of dependency, communication needs, or other factors 
• Collaborating with children, young people, their parents, carers, and other agencies is crucial in promoting their welfare.  

To ensure the safety of children and young people, Evolution Gymnastics will: 

• Value, listen to, and respect them 
• Appoint designated child protection/safeguarding leads and deputy leads 
• Develop policies and procedures for child protection and safeguarding that adhere to best practices 
• Utilise our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with relevant agencies, involving children, young people, parents, families, and carers appropriately 
• Foster an anti-bullying environment and implement a policy and procedure to effectively address any bullying incidents 
• Establish and implement an online safety policy and related procedure 
• Disseminate information about child protection and safeguarding best practices to children, families, staff, and volunteers through leaflets, posters, group activities, and individual discussions 
• Safely recruit staff and volunteers, ensuring necessary checks are carried out 
• Provide adequate management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training, and quality assurance measures 
• Enforce a code of conduct for staff and volunteers 
• Follow appropriate procedures when managing allegations against staff and volunteers 
• Implement effective complaint and whistleblowing mechanisms 
• Maintain a safe physical environment for children, young people, staff, and volunteers by adhering to health and safety regulations and guidelines 
• Professionally and securely record and store information in accordance with data protection legislation and guidance.  

This policy and guidelines are mandatory for all individuals associated with or participating in activities arranged, designed, or carried out by Evolution Gymnastics.  

Monitoring and evaluation  

This Safeguarding policy will undergo regular monitoring, and a comprehensive policy review will take place every 3 years. Additionally, Evolution Gymnastics may conduct a policy review in the event of any of the following circumstances: 

• Changes to legislation and/or guidance related to safeguarding 
• Changes in the sport of gymnastics that may impact safeguarding practices 
• Changes in the nature or operations of Evolution Gymnastics or IGA that necessitate a policy review 
• A procedural review prompted by a significant case or incident.  

By regularly monitoring and reviewing the policy, we ensure that it remains up to date and aligned with the latest legal requirements, industry standards, and the specific needs of Evolution Gymnastics and its participants. 

References:  

1. NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk www.thecpsu.org.uk;
   Accessed 11 July 2023 
2. KIDSCAPE (parent helpline) 0845 1205 204 https://www.kidscape.org.uk;   
   Accessed 11 July 2023 
3. Family Lives (formerly Parent Plus) 0808 8002 222 https://www.familylives.org.uk;  
   Accessed 11 July 2023  
4. Working Together to Safeguard Children (A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children HM Government); https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/942454/Working_together_to_safeguard_children_inter_agency_guidance.pdf; Accessed 11 July 2023 
5. Children Act (1989) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41/contents;  
   Accessed 11 July 2023  
6. Care Act (2014) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/23/contents/enacted;  
   Accessed 11 July 2023 
7. IOC Consensus Statement: Harassment and Abuse in Sport (2016) https://stillmed.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/IOC/What-We-Do/Protecting-Clean-Athletes/Safeguarding/IOC-Consensus-Statement_Harassment-and-abuse-in-sport-2016.pdf; Accessed 11 July 2023 

Aims and Objectives: 

To set out the minimum requirements of a recruitment process that aims to: 

• Attract and select the best possible applicants  
• Identify, deter and reject any person or persons who might be unsuitable to work with children, adolescents or young people by having appropriate procedures for appointing staff in place and strictly adhered to 
• Ensure that all job applicants are considered equally and consistently 
• Meet statutory requirements of the Equality Act 2010 
• To ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, recommendations, and guidance 
• Ensure all applicants are treated in a fair, honest and transparent manner 

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS 

Procedures: 

At Evolution Gymnastics, we take recruitment and placement of coaches and staff very seriously to fully ensure the safety and wellbeing of all gymnasts and co-workers.  As such, a robust safer recruitment policy is in place and all staff are required to fully comply with its procedures accordingly.  

Advertising: 

Any advertisement will make clear the commitment of Evolution Gymnastics to safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children. All documentation relating to applicants will be treated confidentially in accordance with the Data Protection Act (DPA18). 

Application:  

All applicants for employment will be required to complete an application form containing questions about their academic qualifications, full employment history and their suitability for the role. 

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities): 

Every role at Evolution Gymnastics will be covered and described by a job description, which is a key document in the recruitment process. The Roles and Responsibilities Section will outline the key duties and responsibilities of the job role and will form the first stage of selection of suitable candidates.   

Job Description (Competencies):  

The Competencies Section of the job description is of equal importance and also informs the selection decision. Further to the roles and responsibilities required of the candidate, it also details the skills, experience, abilities, and expertise that are required to effectively carry out the role.  This will include things such as previous experience in coaching and skills such as teamwork, leadership, honesty, integrity, respect, and kindness.  

The competencies will also include a specific reference to suitability to work with, inspire, develop, and protect children and young people.  

Interviews: 

For every role, there will be, where possible, a face-to-face interview.  The interviewers will consist of one or more of the club owners, in addition to one of the Senior / Head Coaches (of which at least one will have attended Safer Recruitment Training).  The interview will not only examine the applicants’ suitability to carry out the responsibilities of the role, but also investigate the required competencies as well.  

It will also enable the interviewers to understand in greater detail any anomalies or gaps which have been identified to ensure that the applicant is suitable from a safeguarding and child welfare perspective.  

During the interview, the applicant will also be required to address satisfactorily any gaps in employment or discrepancies in the information available, to declare any information that is likely to appear on a CRB disclosure and to demonstrate their capacity to safeguard and protect the welfare of children and young people. 

Background Checks: All applicants for any role with Evolution Gymnastics must undergo the following personal checks:  

• Verification of the applicant's right to work / volunteer in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 
• ID check (passport, driver’s license, proof of address)  
• Enhanced DBS check through the update service (certified prior to starting work) 
• Independent references (x2) with at least one from working with children in the last 2 years 
• Any further checks which are necessary because of the applicant having lived or worked outside of the UK 
• Verification of professional qualifications (coaching) 
• Current Safeguarding, Child Protection, and First aid training  

References: 

Any offer extended to the applicant will be subject to the receipt and approval of a minimum of two independent references.  

One of the references must be from the applicant's current or most recent employer.  

The second reference must be a personal and independent (non-relative) reference from someone who has known the applicant for at least 5 years and can verify their suitability to work with children and young people (if the most recent work did not involve working with children).    

Referees will be asked specifically about the suitability of the candidate to work with children, any disciplinary warnings, including time expired warnings that relate to the safeguarding of children and the overall suitability of the candidate for the role.  

References will always be sought directly from the referee to obtain objective and factual information to support appointment decisions. 

Induction Programme: 

All new staff will be provided an induction programme during a 3 month introductory / waiting period, which will clearly identify the club’s policies and procedures, including the Code of Conduct, and Safeguarding Policy, and make clear the expectations which will govern how staff carry out their roles and responsibilities.  In addition, every new staff member will be allocated a mentor to support them in the first 6-12 months.