Under the Human Rights Act the RGA has to weigh up the individuals rights to equality and the right to an impartial and fair hearing against the rights of a child who discloses causes for concern. 

• RGA has an equality policy that can be viewed at the gym or on request from the Child Protection Officer Chris Cason.

• RGA has strict regulations for coaches and all coaches are qualified to BG levels

• There will always be a coach on duty that is qualified in First Aid.

• RGA promotes good practice between coach and gymnast and has guidance for the parent or guardian of gymnasts.

• RGA accepts their duty of care towards young people and is committed to providing an safe place for all gymnasts

• RGA recognises that in some cases bullying may occur and all coaches and officials are trained in recognising signs of this and will take appropriate  action and rigorously enforce anti-bullying strategies.

• RGA has a full Coaching, Health and Safety and Child Protection Policy, which can be viewed via the office or request via Chris Cason.

All Child Protection enquires should be address to Chris Cason at Chris.cason@richmondgymnastics.co.uk

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CCTV at RGA

For additional safety for our children and security of our gym, the RGA has now installed CCTV.

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Photography

It is not the intention of BG or RGA to prevent parents from taking pictures of their children but rather to ensure photographic practices are carefully monitored to allow the authorities to act if inappropriate imagery is circulated and to deter anyone with undesirable intentions.

RGA adopts BG policy statement for the use of filming via, camera, video or mobile phone at all competition or events. 

Any parent amateur or professional photographer or any person using picture recording equipment must provide the club with all relevant details and have the permission of the club.

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Coaching Health, Safety and Child Protection Policy

Designated child protection officer: Chris Casson who is responsible for:

1. Lodging all allegations / referrals of such nature & complying with the guidelines  ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’

2. Responding and dealing with such matters, reporting them on to the designated agencies.

RGA recognises its duty of care to members, employees and affiliated bodies and is committed to providing the appropriate support and guidance to enable these matters to be addressed.

The coach and provider owes a general duty to the participants and others to exercise reasonable care for their safety and well being in both training and competition. 

1. The health & safety of each participant is paramount. This includes ensuring the equipment and facilities are safe.

2. The coach must have the competence and experience for the role he or she is performing.

3. The coach must be fully qualified insured and licensed ( if required)

4. The coach must carry out coaching duties with reasonable skill and care in accordance with BG and NCF codes of practice and ethics.

5. The gymnast must be mentally and physically prepared for the level of participation.

6. Suitable well maintained apparatus & equipment must be provided.

7. Best coach practices must be employed at all times.

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RGA  Health & Safety  Policy

Anyone in coaching owes a duty of care to those being coached. This is particularly relevant where children are concerned because the law will consider the coach to be acting as a reasonable parent ( in loco parentis). A general duty of care is owed to the participants to exercise reasonable care for their safety both in training & competition. The duty of care commences from the point of receipt of the child to the point of return to the parent or guardian and the duty of care is not transferable. Additionally, where coaching is undertaken for business purposes legal health & safety at work requirements must be met.

The criteria for creating a safe environment include:

1. The health & safety of each participant is paramount. This includes ensuring the equipment and facilities are safe.

2. The coach must have the competence and experience for the role he or she is performing.

3. The coach must be fully qualified insured and licensed ( if required)

4. The coach must carry out coaching duties with reasonable skill and care in accordance with BG and NCF codes of practice and ethics.

5. The gymnast must be mentally and physically prepared for the level of participation.

6. Suitable well maintained apparatus & equipment must be provided.

7. Best coach practices must be employed at all times.

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RGA equal opportunities policy

RGA advocate that the coach & facility provider must always comply with principles of good, moral and ethical frameworks and exemplary standards of conduct.

RGA subscribes to the principles of equity and is committed to ensuring that these principles are implemented through the following policy:

1. All participants must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every human being and their right to self determination.

2. Participants will be treated fairly and equally within the context of the activity regardless of gender, age, sex, ethnic origin, religion or political persuasion or disability.

3. Equity must permeate throughout strategic and developmental plans.

4. An equal professional service must be provided for all participants and discrimination through race, sex, or disability must not be tolerated.    

5. Sexual and racial harassment or discrimination will be prohibited.

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Complaints Procedure

RGA is committed to providing a quality service to its members and the complaints procedure will ensure a fair and consistent solution to complaints or allegations.

Principles

The complaints procedure will be implemented on receipt of complaints or allegations against a coach, official, individual member or the club.

Procedure

A complaint should be detailed in writing and sent to the Administrator (to the Chair where the complaint concerns the Administrator) who will direct it to the relevant person or body.

The evidence will be considered and steps taken required to resolve the situation.

The complainant and accused person/s will be notified, in writing, of the course of action to be taken.

The accused person/s and complainant have the right to appeal against the decision.

This appeal should be directed to the Chairman of the club, in writing.

The Chairman’s decision will be final and binding.

A full copy of complaints procedure is available on request from the Administrator.

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RGA Squad Competitions Policy

Introduction

RGA gymnasts take part in broadly 4 types of competitions:-

• ‘Club’ described as competitions that the whole club attends eg Regionals, British

• ‘Invitational’ – UK competitions where a team representing RGA compete eg King Edmunds

• ‘International’ – International competitions where a team of RGA gymnasts travel as a group to represent either RGA or another entity, e.g. Ireland Tumbling, Bulgaria

• ‘Representative’ – individual gymnasts selected for national team competitions.

The first and last are considered out of scope as generally the club is closed for the former and only the gymnasts are involved in the latter.

Invitationals present fewer issues, as travel is easier, however they are considered here as they require coaching cover to be arranged. ‘Internationals’ provide the greatest cause for consideration as they require coaching cover and can also involve significant travel.

Coaching

Any competition that conflicts with a normal training session requires the squad coaches affected to work with the Director of Coaching (DoC) to make alternate arrangements for non-competing gymnasts. For the avoidance of doubt it is suggested that where 4 or fewer gymnasts are traveling only one designated coach need accompany and where 5 or more compete 2 coaches should travel. Any exceptions are at the sole discretion of the DoC.

International Travel/Overnight stay

Any competition that requires lengthy travel and/or overnight stays require further consideration form a safety and welfare perspective. For all such competitions it is encouraged that as many parents as possible travel to ensure the welfare of the gymnasts and support the coaches and that at the least 2 adults accompany the group (one of whom may be the coach). If only one coach is traveling then one or more parents should be prepared to take some responsibility as chaperone(s). Such individuals should ideally be trained and have CRB check clearance.

If no parent can travel or none traveling are willing to take on this role RGA will fund an official chaperone to travel with the party, who may be another coach or a parent.

In both instances parents/chaperones should understand that they have no competition status and leave all coaching matters to the coach. There may also be times when they are unable to travel with the team from hotel to venue etc

Risk Assessment

It is the designated coaches responsibility to undertake proper risk assessment and complete required paperwork prior to attendance along with appropriate medical and any other forms. This protects coach and RGA as well as ensuring due care is taken.

Competition Funding

Gymnasts are responsible for their own competition fees and travel costs and additionally for a nominal levy.  This levy will be used to fund future chaperone and coach’s expenses. The RGA will fund travel, accommodation and subsistence for coaches and any official chaperone traveling.

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