We take the safeguarding and protection of our members and visitors very seriously at Prime Acrobatics. We have a Welfare Concerns Procedure in place so any concerns can be reported quickly and effectively.

 1. Purpose and Scope 

This procedure should be followed by any parent, guardian, carer, child or adult who has a concern regarding the welfare of a child or adult at risk at Prime Acrobatics. 

Prime Acrobatics is committed to safeguarding and protecting all our members and visitors to the Centre from abuse, particularly children, whose safety and wellbeing is central to everything we do. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we must work together to protect people who need help and support. 

All Prime coaches are trained to deal with welfare concerns in accordance with the Policies and Procedures of our governing body, British Gymnastics, our governing body (see link):

https://www.british-gymnastics.org/documents/coaches-teachers-and-volunteers/course-policies/7184-bg-vunerable-adult-and-safeguarding-and-protecting-children-policy/file

Training forms part of our staff induction process, training and performance reviews and we promote
a culture where everyone is encouraged to raise concerns without fear of negative repercussions.

 2. How and when to raise concern 

If you have a concern regarding the welfare of a child or adult at risk at Prime Acrobatics, please contact us at the earliest possible opportunity – you can speak to any staff member or email our Welfare Officer, Natasha Keenan. 

You can do this by: 

• Emailing anytime: welfare@primeacrobatics.com 
• Phoning during opening hours: 01483 755777 

 3. What will happen 

The member of staff will inform Prime’s Club Welfare Officer at the earliest possible opportunity. A Club Welfare Officer is a trained individual with responsibility for safeguarding whose role is to promote safeguarding and provide a safe environment for children and adults at risk and to respond to any concerns of harassment and abuse that are brought to their attention. Their roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and they undergo training annually with a recognised training provider. 

Prime’s Club Welfare Officer will: 

• Follow British Gymnastics’ Safeguarding Policies and Procedures at all times – for a summary of their guidance on responding to welfare concerns, please see their flowchart on the last page of this Procedure document 
• Ensure that the child or adult at risk is listened to and involved in decision making 

For reasons of confidentiality, unless you are directly involved with the child or adult over whom you have a concern, it is unlikely we will be able to update you of the progress of the issue. 

If you have reported a concern to our Welfare Officer or a member of staff at Prime and you believe we have failed to act or taken action that is unsafe, you can contact British Gymnastics directly: https://www.british-gymnastics.org/contact-us or call 0345 1297129. 

4. Further Information 

Prime Acrobatics and British Gymnastics will treat your concern with confidentiality in accordance with all relevant UK data protection legislation. 

This procedure was last reviewed on 13th September 2021 by Jo Murray, Integrity Officer