Independent Review 2020 Report

Scottish Gymnastics has published the findings from an independent review into safeguarding in performance gymnastics in Scotland.

Scottish Gymnastics launched an external investigation when a concern was raised in early July, following which, they commissioned an independent review into performance programmes.

The aim of the review was to ensure that athlete welfare is central to the Scottish Gymnastics performance programmes and that the platform for athletes to raise concerns to Scottish Gymnastics staff is the best it can be. Athletes, parents, coaches, support staff in performance programmes across disciplines from 2016 and Scottish Gymnastics staff were invited to contribute to the review.

The review team was led by safeguarding consultant Chris Smart with Sally Conway, Olympic, Commonwealth and world championships judo medal winner, as athlete advisor and Gavin Scott, rugby operations director at Scottish Rugby advising on performance. The Lawn Tennis Association’s head of safeguarding, David Humphrey assisted on the review, bringing his safeguarding experience from another sport in the areas concerning governance, casework, and training.

Chris has now written his report which recognises the commitment across all levels of Scottish Gymnastics to make the sport safe with structures, policies, and procedures. He also notes the steps taken in recent years to improve the overall well-being and safety of gymnasts through the safeguarding programme and education. 

The review has found that although many at Scottish Gymnastics believe well-being must come first, that culture is not necessarily translating to practice on the ground, nor is it pronounced overtly enough in the strategy, documentation, and processes.

The review identifies areas where improvements are required, not least in terms of culture, and the need for more to be done to embed safeguarding throughout the organisation. The culture change should be driven from the top with clear codes of conduct, clear reporting systems with published outcomes, a whistleblowing hotline, safeguarding standards in clubs and monitoring at each level. The recommendations when taken as a whole will help support the change in culture.

The report addresses the terms of reference to ensure that athlete welfare is central to the performance programmes with a platform for athletes to raise concerns, recommending better support, information, and safeguarding training to ensure the well-being of gymnasts and a life sport balance. 

It expands on this with recommendations on governance, strategy, and case management in Scottish Gymnastics, with clear information on the process and support for all those involved when allegations are raised. It also covers safeguarding, coach recruitment and support in clubs, to help embed a culture change so gymnasts and parents are aware of safeguarding at every level of the sport

The report’s author, Chris Smart, said: “On behalf of the review team, I would like to thank everyone who provided written submissions, completed surveys, were interviewed, and attended webinars as part of this review. 

“Gymnasts and parents, coaches, support staff and Scottish Gymnastics staff have taken part with respect and with the well-being of gymnasts at the forefront of their thinking and contributions. I would also like to acknowledge the immense contribution from the review team in conducting the review and producing this report.

“It is clear that Scottish Gymnastics has made improvements in gymnast well-being and safety over the years and has a desire to improve further. 

“They would benefit from greater strategic direction and planning to embed good safeguarding practice into culture so that it runs through and is at the forefront of everything that Scottish Gymnastics does. The recommendations in this report will help them implement the necessary changes in culture and processes so that everyone in the sport ensures gymnast well-being comes first.”

Scottish Gymnastics CEO Doc McKelvey has welcomed the recommendations of the review. He said: “We thank Chris and the review team for their work in producing their report and recommendations, and everyone who made submissions to the review.

“We want to assure all Scottish Gymnastics members and parents, that we will be adopting these recommendations through an action plan for areas we can progress quickly and then through the development of a safeguarding strategy as recommended in the review. We are fully committed to developing the culture and safeguarding standards required to protect and support gymnasts, coaches, parents, and all involved in Scottish Gymnastics. 

“The recommendations will help us prioritise new actions with work we have previously identified or started, so we can focus on taking the best approach to embedding safeguarding in performance programmes, throughout the organisation, and in member clubs and activities across Scotland. We believe the well-being of children and young people is everyone’s responsibility and it starts with us putting gymnasts’ welfare at the heart of everything we do. We will also implement any recommendations which may come from the ongoing Whyte Review. 

“This is not a short-term fix. This is a long-term, ongoing approach to changing the culture in the sport. Scottish Gymnastics will lead the change, but it is only achievable through everyone working together. We want all our members, parents, and future members to know what safeguards and support are in place to allow them to feel safe and have fun in gymnastics.

“Many sports around the world have had different cause to focus and self-reflect following complaints on varying issues.  Everyone involved in gymnastics in Scotland deserves the best possible environment to enjoy our sport.  We are committed, now more than ever, to continue to improve our sport, as a priority.  All stakeholders will be involved in helping to shape the necessary improvements to ensure we do as much as we can, for everyone's benefit.”

> Independent Safeguarding Review of Scottish Gymnastics Performance Programmes

Safeguarding in Scottish Gymnastics
•  Every Scottish Gymnastics club has a trained safeguarding officer
•  Please make sure you know who this person is and how to contact them
•  If you do not know, please ask a coach or official at your club
•  If you have a concern, or see something that concerns you, you can speak to your club safeguarding officer
•  You can contact the Scottish Gymnastics safeguarding team on safegym@scottishgymnastics.org