Safe Sport Policies and Procedures

For effective implementation of this policy all gymnastics providers must work in partnership, each with a role to ensure the protection of the children and protected adults in their care. 
Scottish Gymnastics child wellbeing and protection policy & guidance

Scottish Gymnastics is fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of all children and young people in our care. We understand that children’s wellbeing can be seriously impacted by bullying behaviour. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. 
Scottish Gymnastics anti-bullying policy & guidance

The Code of Practice for Coaches and Officials has been updated. There are significant changes to the policy published in March 2019, including the following: the purpose of the code, reporting responsibilities and substance abuse, in addition to further clarification and guidance for those working with children and young people. 
Scottish Gymnastics code of practice for coaches and officials

Safer recruitment is a vital part of our wellbeing and safe sport practices. It is our commitment in action, to ensuring that those who are recruited in paid or unpaid roles in the sport of gymnastics are suitable to work with children and vulnerable groups. The vast majority of those who work or volunteer in sport do so for many positive reasons. We also recognise that there are individuals who wish to access vulnerable groups and go on to abuse. These individuals gravitate to situations where little vetting or checking takes place. It is impossible to know who just by looking at someone who is or will go on to abuse their position of trust. Therefore, it is important that all reasonable steps be taken to ensure unsuitable people are prevented from working with children, young people and vulnerable groups.

Our approach to a safer recruitment process is outlined in the policy below.

Safer recruitment policy

The object of the Conduct in Sport Code is to set down rules and procedures with a view to obtaining justice in gymnastic hearing proceedings and to ensure that decisions are made in a fair, consistent, impartial, independent and expeditious manner.  

Scottish Gymnastics conduct in sport code
Scottish Gymnastics sanctions guide

Under the Scottish Gymnastics Conduct in Sport Code, there may be circumstances whereby it is necessary to temporarily suspend a member. Although suspension of membership is a neutral act carried out to protect the member as well as those involved in an investigation, we do recognise that this can be very distressing.  Scottish Gymnastics has developed a guidance document designed to support suspended members. 

FAQs for suspended members

Taking time to try and resolve a complaint at the outset will result in a quicker and often more acceptable outcome for all parties.  However, it is recognised that volunteers are not always aware of the steps to follow and can sometimes be embroiled in the complaint itself.  By following the guidance developed by Scottish Gymnastics, clubs will be able to adopt procedures which are open, clear, relevant, workable and enforceable, thus allowing you to operate in a fair and just way.

Complaints process guidance for member clubs

Our digital media policy will be shared soon. Please view our guidelines regarding appropriate photography and video of gymnasts, children or protected adults at our events and in our clubs. 

Scottish Gymnastics photography guidelines

Clubs must apply for a travel permit ahead of trips out of Scotland or any trips involving an overnight stay.
If parents are travelling with the gymnasts, please still submit a travel permit so we know these gymnasts are travelling. Please note, a travel permit is NOT required for performance programme trips or representative events where the gymnasts have been selected by Scottish Gymnastics.
You can find full information and guidance on the travel permit page and download application form below.
Travel permits information
Travel permit application