Important Changes for Coaches at BWL Para Powerlifting Competitions

What’s changing?

From 1 November 2024 all coaches supporting athletes at BWL para powerlifting competitions will require a BWL Para Coach Licence.

Requirements for a Para Coach Licence

• Membership of British Weight Lifting (Club or Unattached Membership)
• Safeguarding certificate
• Enhanced DBS / PVG check

Why is this change being made?

It’s considered a minimum standard in all sports, not just weightlifting and para powerlifting, that coaches have up to date training and checks, as well as being an insurance requirement.

All national governing bodies that seek public funding are held to account by the UK’s Code for Sports Governance. The purpose of the code is to bring greater accountability and integrity to sport.

We’re making this change to ensure that weightlifting and para powerlifting meet the necessary standards in sport.

What are the costs?

• Annual BWL membership costs £44/ year for ‘Club’ or £55/ year for ‘Unattached’
• Safeguarding course is £28-42 and is valid for three years
• Para Coach Licence is £40 and it’s valid for two years
• An enhanced DBS check is approximately £20 and is valid for three years

How to Gain a Para Coach Licence

1. Complete a Safeguarding Course

“Safeguarding training provides you with guidance and scenarios to prompt you to reflect on what it means to be a child today, and to consider the impact and implications on your coaching practice”.

Completing UK Coaching’s 3 hour ‘Safeguarding & Protecting Children (Online Classroom)’ course is the easiest way to get trained as courses are widely available.

Alternatively, if you’ve already attended a safeguarding course within the last 3 years, it may be accepted. As a minimum it should be a 3-hour safeguarding course that’s interactive (e-learning courses are not accepted).

How do I book onto a course?

Book BWL organised course here - BWL has organised UK Coaching’s safeguarding course in May and June at a special price of £28.

Book UK Coaching course here - UK Coaching’s ‘Safeguarding & Protecting Children – Online Classroom’ course is available all year round and costs £42.

2. Purchase BWL Membership

Go to https://bwl.sport80.com/ to purchase BWL ‘Club’ or ‘Unattached’ Membership

3. Upload your Safeguarding Certificate to your Member Profile

UK Coaching will send you a certificate after you complete the course.

• Sign in to your BWL member profile and go to ‘Qualifications’
• Upload your Safeguarding certificate
• This will be checked and approved by BWL

4. Apply for a Para Coach Licence

Whilst signed into your BWL member profile:

• Go to ‘Licences’
• Select ‘+Add Licence’
• When asked which Licence Type you’re applying for, select ‘Para Coach Licence’ from the drop down menu
• You’ll be asked if you want to be displayed on BWLs Coach Locator which helps members of the public find a coach
• Complete the form
• Select ‘Add & Checkout’ to purchase your Para Coach Licence

Once you’ve applied for your Para Coach Licence, BWL will email you information about the DBS application for you to complete. Once your enhanced DBS is completed, BWL will be notified and update your profile accordingly.

Note: Your licence will be marked ‘Action Required’ until your safeguarding certificate is approved, and your DBS has been added by BWL.