British Weight Lifting is committed to promoting the safety and welfare of children and young people engaged in the sport at all levels.

We have developed a set of principles and aim to contribute to safeguarding children and young people by:

Applying the principles and practices in ‘Working Together 2018’
Influencing and advocating at a strategic level
Implementing and demonstrating best safeguarding practices, and passing on this knowledge to all those involved in our sport
Working with partners to establish and implement safeguarding standards across the sport
Ensuring that all individuals and organisations that are funded or commissioned to provide services for children and young are effectively addressing safeguarding
Maximising our influence to promote safeguarding practice and principles within our wider partnership roles and relationships

We have produced a number of Codes of Conduct for many people involved in our sport:

Code of Conduct - Lifter

Code of Conduct - Coach

Code of Conduct - Official

Code of Conduct - Parent

Code of Conduct - Spectator

Code of Conduct - Volunteer

If you have any safeguarding concerns or would like further advice please contact our Safeguarding Lead - Sue Ward - via email: sue.ward@britishweightlifting.org or telephone: 01132 249 402.

If you are under 18

You can call Childline direct to talk about anything that is worrying you. They are open 24/7 and talking to them is totally free. Call 0800 1111 or visit their website: childline.org.uk where you can have a 1-2-1 chat online or send an email to one of their counsellors.

You can also call the NSPCC on a free helpline number: 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk - they are open 7 days a week and can provide you with lots of confidential advice and support.

We have also produced a leaflet which provides lots of helpful information when accessing the internet and social media. Click here to read Stay Safe Online

Staying Safe During Covid-19

With millions of people, including children, spending more time online during Lockdown because of coronavirus, new research from the NSPCC is saying that children who are lonely and rely on social media are more the twice as likely to be groomed online. Lockdown has created the perfect storm for offenders to target lonely and isolated people.

If you are worried about a child or young person, or need support and advice to adapt to family life in lockdown, you can call the NSPCC on their free confidential helpline: 0808 800 5000 where a member of their team will offer you support and guidance. Or you can email them on help@nspcc.org.uk

The NSPCC has created some really good advice, not only about online safety for children but also about mental health and depression including how to talk to a child who is worried about Coronavirus:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/childrens-mental-health/depression-anxiety-mental-health/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-we-do/about-us/partners/nspcc-o2-online-safety-partnership/

However, at a time when people are lonely and frightened it’s not just children who are being targeted online. Many adults, including those who are vulnerable, are being targeted with online coronavirus scams – telephone, email and even in-person scams! The Ann Craft Trust, a leading UK authority on safeguarding adults and young people at risk, are signposting people to the dangers, how to protect vulnerable people you know and tips to avoid Coronavirus scams.

https://www.anncrafttrust.org/resources/safeguarding-in-challenging-times-beware-of-coronavirus-scams/

For those adults who are worried, anxious or scared at this difficult time, the mental health foundation have created some tips for looking after your mental health whilst you stay at home.

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak

There are a number of useful websites with further safeguarding advice:

Our Resource Centre also has a wide variety of Safeguarding-related documents including best practice and guidance information. Click the button below to access the BWL Resource Centre.

Access Safeguarding Resources