Our commitment
The welfare of every child and young person at Basingstoke Gymnastics Club is our absolute priority. We are committed to providing a safe, positive, and inclusive environment where every gymnast is protected from harm, and where anyone with a concern feels confident to speak up.
Our safeguarding policies and procedures align fully with British Gymnastics' Safe Sport Framework and relevant statutory guidance, including Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023.
Your welfare team
BGC has a team of trained Welfare Officers, led by our Lead Welfare Officer. They are the first point of contact for all safeguarding and welfare matters, are trained to British Gymnastics standards, and are responsible for:
- Receiving and managing welfare concerns from members, parents, and staff
- Ensuring concerns are appropriately referred to statutory agencies when required
- Supporting coaches and staff in understanding their safeguarding responsibilities
- Maintaining and reviewing the club's safeguarding policies
You can reach the welfare team by emailing welfare@basingstokegym.co.uk, by speaking to them in the gym, or through our Contact page.
Every concern is treated with sensitivity and confidentiality. You will never be made to feel you have wasted anyone's time.
You can put a face to the whole team on our meet the team page.
DBS checks and safer recruitment
All BGC coaches and staff who work with children and young people hold a current Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. We follow British Gymnastics' safer recruitment procedures for all new appointments, including reference checks and role-appropriate training requirements.
No unvetted adult is permitted to work unsupervised with children or young people at BGC.
Code of conduct
All coaches, staff, volunteers, parents, and gymnasts at BGC are expected to uphold our Code of Conduct. This sets out the standards of behaviour we expect from everyone associated with the club, both in the gym and online.
Our full Code of Conduct is available on this website.
Photography and social media
BGC has a clear photography and social media policy to protect the privacy of our members:
- Photographs and video of gymnasts may only be taken with explicit consent from parents/guardians
- Images of gymnasts must not be posted on personal social media accounts without prior consent
- Official BGC photography is managed by the club and shared through our verified social media channels
- Any concerns about inappropriate photography or online contact should be reported to the welfare team immediately
Reporting a concern
If you have a concern about the welfare of a child at BGC, however minor it may seem, please do not hesitate to report it. Early reporting can prevent harm.
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Speak to someone in the gym
Any coach or member of staff can take a concern and pass it to the welfare team.
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Email the welfare team
welfare@basingstokegym.co.uk reaches our Welfare Officers directly. You can also use our Contact page.
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Go outside the club
You do not have to come to us first. British Gymnastics' safeguarding team can be reached at safeguarding@british-gymnastics.org, and the organisations below take concerns independently.
If you believe a child is at risk of immediate harm, always call 999 first.
British Gymnastics Safe Sport Framework
BGC operates within British Gymnastics' Safe Sport Framework, which sets the standards for safeguarding, welfare, and ethical behaviour across all affiliated clubs. The framework is reviewed regularly and we update our policies accordingly.
Where else to get help
None of these organisations are part of BGC. They are independent, they are free, and you can go to any of them directly without telling us first.