Club and Safeguarding Policies

OUR HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY

Darwin Gymnastics and Dance Club abides by the official terms & conditions of British Gymnastics’ Health, Safety & Welfare Policy, full details of which can be found in the “Clubs” section of the British Gymnastics website.

SAFEGUARDING & COMPLIANCE POLICY

Our Commitment to Safeguarding and Welfare

At Darwin Gymnastics and Dance, the safety and well-being of all children, young persons, and adults at risk in our sport is our highest priority. We are fundamentally committed to ensuring every participant has a safe, fun, and positive experience, allowing them to fulfill their potential in a secure environment.

We strictly adhere to the comprehensive British Gymnastics Safeguarding & Compliance procedures, the details of which are fully outlined on their official website.

Club Welfare Officer

We have appointed David Morgan as our Club Head of Welfare Officer. David is your confidential point of contact for any concerns. He can be reached privately via email at: darwinwelfareofficer@gmail.com

External Support

Additionally, British Gymnastics employs both regional and national Welfare Officers. Their contact details and a useful flowchart for Reporting Safeguarding & Child Protection Concerns can be downloaded directly from the BG website.

David Morgan

Head Welfare Officer

E: darwinwelfareofficer@gmail.com

Gymnasts’ Code of Conduct

🤸 Darwin Gymnastics: Gymnast Code of Conduct

To ensure a safe, positive, and productive training environment, all Darwin gymnasts are expected to adhere to the following standards:

1. Respect and Sportsmanship

  • Treat all coaches, judges, officials, and fellow gymnasts with respect and kindness.
  • Support and encourage your teammates at all times.
  • Train with a positive attitude and a commitment to personal progress.

2. Safety and Coaching

  • Listen carefully to and follow all instructions provided by your coach.
  • Only perform skills that have been taught by a qualified coach. Do not attempt new or untaught skills without explicit permission.
  • Equipment is off-limits before your class begins. Do not go onto any apparatus until instructed by a coach.

3. Training Excellence

  • Strive for “good form” in every movement to ensure safety and technical precision.
  • Take pride in your club by treating all equipment with care and respect.

4. Health and Nutrition

  • Hydration: Gymnasts must stay hydrated. Please bring a named, non-spill water bottle (water only) to every session.
  • Nutrition: For those in longer training sessions, a balanced snack or lunch is highly recommended to maintain energy and focus.
  • Cleanliness: Help keep our gym tidy by placing all rubbish in the bins provided or taking it home with you.

5. Gym Floor Etiquette

  • The gym floor is a dedicated training zone. To maximize coaching time, we ask that parents and guardians do not enter the floor area for any reason.
  • If you need to speak with a coach, please do so briefly before or after the session to avoid disrupting the class.

Parents’ Code of Conduct

👪 Darwin Gymnastics & Dance: Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct

As a member of the Darwin G&D community, we ask that you uphold the following standards to ensure a positive experience for all participants.

1. Encouragement and Enjoyment

  • Ensure that your child genuinely wishes to participate in gymnastics. Encourage their interest, but please do not force them.
  • Focus on your child’s effort and performance rather than winning or losing.
  • Never punish or belittle a child for a poor performance or making mistakes.
  • Encourage your child to learn and abide by the Club’s rules and Code of Conduct.

2. Preparation and Punctuality

  • Ensure your child is dressed appropriately for their session and brings a full, named, non-spill water bottle.
  • In the case of absence, please notify the gym via a message or email prior to the start of the training session.
  • Always collect your child promptly at the end of their session and remind them to wait inside the building until collected.

3. Facility Use and Safety

  • Parking: Park responsibly and exclusively in designated Darwin spaces. Do not park in Unit 11 spaces. The club is not responsible for vehicles left unattended.
  • Gym Floor Rules: No shoes or food are permitted on the gym floor or equipment at any time.
  • Supervision: Children must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times when waiting before and after class.
  • Equipment Use: Ensure your child does not play on any equipment before their class begins or without a qualified coach present.

4. Etiquette and Communication

  • Viewing Area: Parents must remain in the designated waiting area unless explicit permission is granted by the Head Coach.
  • Noise Levels: Please keep noise to a minimum in the waiting area while classes are in session.
  • Interacting with Your Child: Parents should not attempt to communicate with their child during their class, except in the case of an emergency. Please approach a member of staff at reception if you need your child’s attention.

5. Respect and Sportsmanship

  • Show appreciation and respect for all volunteers, coaches, officials, and administrators.
  • Refrain from criticizing other people’s children or coaches. Negative remarks can be upsetting for all involved.
  • Never undermine your child’s coach in front of other parents or children, and refrain from talking negatively about any staff or members.
  • Use appropriate language at all times on club premises and at events/competitions.
  • Remember that children learn best by example. Set a good example by recognising good sportsmanship and applauding the performance of all gymnasts.
  • Respect coaches’ and officials’ decisions and teach your child to do the same.

6. Administration and Feedback

  • Communication: Keep up-to-date with club notices and information via the club notice board, website, Facebook page, and emails.
  • Details & Fees: Please keep all contact/medical details updated via your online profile at Class4Kids and ensure fees are paid promptly.
  • Feedback & Concerns:
    • Quick Chats: If you wish to discuss your child’s progress with a coach, you may speak to them briefly before the start of the session or arrange a more convenient time via email. Do not take the coach away from a scheduled training session.
    • Formal Concerns: Concerns and complaints should be raised via email and directed through the appropriate channels. (Full Club policies are available on our website).

7. Refund Policy

  • Refunds are only issued if a class is cancelled by Darwin Gymnastics & Dance.
  • In unforeseen circumstances that are out of our control (e.g., weather events, facility issues), refunds will not be given.

Gymnasts/Parents Guidelines

  • Hair must be neatly tied up, out of the gymnast’s face
  • Gymnasts should wear a leotard .Darwin Kit is available to purchase, T-shirt and shorts (1st few weeks only) boys T-Shorts are fine we do have a few Boys leotards and Shorts available to purchase
  • No jewellery whatsoever, including ear studs or body piercing adornments to be worn at any time during training or competition. This constitutes a safety hazard and BG Gymnastics and their Insurers have made it a no-tolerance policy.
  • If your child is expected to be away longer than 2 weeks, please let the gym know by email if possible.
  • Gymnasts should arrive a few minutes before the start of training. It is particularly upsetting for the younger children to arrive after all the others have started. All gymnasts should attend and take part in the warm up. It is an essential part of the training that helps the prevention of injury.
  • Please do not drop off your own, or other children, early to watch the classes unattended. The Gym Club cannot be responsible for these children until their coach is ready to take the session.
  • Please ensure you are punctual collecting your children and remind them that they must wait in the building until collected.
  • Please advise the Gym Club of any change of circumstances, i.e. medical, change of address and particularly Mobile Phone No’s.
  • Our coaches wish to maximise coaching time within the gym, therefore if you wish to speak to us about anything to do with the classes, please either speak to Dawn if she is not busy or drop us an email.
  • For Squad gymnasts only – Once selected for a squad group you are dedicated only too our club and should not be attending any other gymnastics club including sessions, holiday camps, work shops etc.

ALL THE COACHES ALSO FOLLOW A COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT TOWARD PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

Fire Policy

Health and Safety Procedures

1. Smoke-Free Zone

Darwin Gymnastics and Dance premises operate as a strictly smoke-free zone. This policy is enforceable across the entire facility, including all areas immediately surrounding the building.

2. Fire Evacuation Procedure
In the unlikely event of a fire alarm during a training session, the following evacuation procedures will be implemented immediately:

  • Gymnasts and Coaches: Must exit the building in an orderly manner via the nearest available exit doors (located at either end of the gym). All groups are to line up at the designated assembly point at the side of the club by the “Lock Stock” area.
  • Parents and Visitors (Waiting Area): Must exit via the main entrance door and proceed to the assembly point outside by the perimeter fences.

Club Complaints Procedure

🗣️ Complaints and Concerns Procedure

At Darwin Gymnastics and Dance, we are committed to resolving issues promptly, fairly, and confidentially. If you have a complaint or concern about any club member—including a gymnast, coach, board member, or another parent—please follow the steps below.

1. Informal Resolution (The First Step)
We hope that most issues can be resolved quickly and informally. In many cases, problems can be sorted out at the time they arise by speaking directly and calmly with the person concerned.

2. Formal Complaints (If Step 1 Fails)
If the problem cannot be resolved informally, or if it is a sensitive issue, please contact our Club Welfare Officer, David Morgan.

  • Email: darwinwelfareofficer@gmail.com
  • Please note: For safety and focus, parents must not approach coaches during active class sessions. All formal communication regarding concerns must go through the channels listed here.

3. Timelines and Submissions
To ensure fairness and accurate resolution, concerns should be raised as soon as possible after the incident (ideally within a few days, or at most two weeks) while the details are still fresh.

Written complaints should be emailed to the Club Welfare Officer at the address above. David will then arrange a private, confidential appointment to discuss your concerns in detail and outline the next steps.

A record will be maintained of all complaints and concerns – whether verbal or written.

Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy

🛡️ Child Welfare and Safeguarding Statement

Darwin Gymnastics and Dance is unwavering in our commitment to safeguarding the welfare of all children, young persons, and vulnerable adults within our sport. We strictly comply with the comprehensive British Gymnastics Child Protection Policy and expect all coaches, volunteers, and staff to share this commitment and adhere to our safeguarding procedures at all times.

We strive to promote the highest standards of care for all members, staff, and officials through the implementation of the following robust standards:

Our Commitments:

  • Implementing Procedures: We provide and implement clear procedures to safeguard the well-being of all participants and protect them from abuse.
  • Promoting Rights: We respect and actively promote the rights, wishes, and feelings of every participant in our care.
  • Rigorous Recruitment: We adopt and enforce best practices in the recruitment, training, and supervision of all employees and volunteers, while also providing clear guidance to parents and carers.
  • Confidential Contact: We have appointed a dedicated Welfare Officer to whom grievances or complaints can be made in confidence.
  • Staff Training: We ensure that all staff are suitably trained in Child Protection, Health, Safety, and Welfare issues.
  • Suitability Screening: All coaches and officials undergo thorough screening processes, including Enhanced Criminal Record Disclosures (DBS checks), to confirm their suitability to work with children.
  • Safe Supervision Ratios: A minimum of two responsible, qualified adults are present at all training sessions and events.
  • Transparency in Media: Participants and/or parents are made aware of the purpose and guidelines regarding videoing, filming, and photography during training or events.
  • Zero Tolerance: We enforce a zero-tolerance policy toward poor practice, bullying, or any potential form of abuse.
  • Adherence to BG Policies: All employees and members are required to adopt the British Gymnastics’ Code of Ethics and Conduct, Health, Safety and Welfare Policy, and the Child Protection Policy and Procedures.
  • Responsive Action: We are committed to responding promptly to all allegations and concerns, implementing the appropriate disciplinary and appeals procedures as necessary.

For full details of the Child Protection Policy please visit the British Gymnastics website.