British Weight Lifting is committed to promoting the safety and welfare of adults, children and young people engaged in the sport at all levels and ensuring everyone will be treated fairly and equally. We do not condone discrimination on the grounds of sex, age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity or marital or civil partnership, gender reassignment or social status.

Reporting a concern:

If you have a concern to report, follow the below link below or scan the QR code to submit a confidential report:

Report a concern here

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

Applying the principles and practices in ‘Working Together 2023’
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.

To read our summary safeguarding policy please click here.

Please click the links below to view the relevant policies:

Safeguarding Case Management Process and SCMG Terms of Reference

Transportation guidelines and overnight stay guidance

Managing challenging behaviour guidance

Anti-bullying policy

Photography guidance

Social Media Policy for BWL members

Social Media Guidance for BWL clubs

However you participate in the sport of weightlifting you have a role in keeping children and young people safe. British Weight Lifting have produced a series of Codes of Conducts to follow:

View the Codes of Conducts here

If you have a concern to report, please email safeguarding@britishweightlifting.org.
All reports will be treated confidentially and with care.

Reporting a concern can be an intimidating process so BWL have put together some helpful guides to follow.

Reporting concerns outside the sport

Reporting concerns within the sport

Responding to concerns from a young person

Safeguarding disciplinary guidelines and process

Whistle blowing policy

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

British Weight Lifting Clubs:

Safeguarding should be a top priority in your club. Clubs have a responsibility for the safety and welfare of lifters, coaches, volunteers, officials and visitors. This responsibility applies to all clubs, regardless of their size or structure. The following guidance will help protect all involved, from your club to those who participate in it.

Please note: These posters should be clearly displayed in your club at ALL times.

Safeguarding Poster

Play Safe Stay Safe Poster

Safety Online Poster

Club Welfare Officer Poster

Running a safe club

Club Welfare Officer Guidance

Safeguarding Adults

Safeguarding plan template

Social Media guidance for BWL clubs

Safeguarding Case Management Process and SCMG Terms of Reference

Transportation guidelines and overnight stay guidance

Managing challenging behaviour guidance

Anti-bullying policy

Photography guidance

BWL Codes of Conducts

The following have been put together to support clubs:

Scenario 1 - A child decides to cut weight

Scenario 2- Youth athletes following coaches on social media

Scenario 3- Is it ok for adults to freely take photos and videos of children at a competition?

Social media guidance:

Social Media Guidance for BWL clubs

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.

Every child and young person has the right to be safe. British Weight Lifting have produced some guidance to help you with maximising every opportunity to help those in your care.

Safeguarding children and remote weightlifting coaching

Staying safe online: a guide for teens and young adults

Child Sexual Exploitation and How to Keep your Child Safe

The NSPCC and CPSU have released an animation looking at how children and young people can be further protected around their training sessions at your club.

Safeguarding deaf and disabled young people

Safeguarding talented and elite athletes

Safeguarding LGBT+ young people

Guidance around transgender young people

Further guidance for the LGBT+ community

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.

Here are a selection of useful links and resources for extra support and guidance:

We are committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment and accept our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all adults involved in Weightlifting and Para powerlifting in accordance with the Care Act 2014. Please read our policy:

Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedure

Often within safeguarding there is no clear right or wrong. It can be difficult to make a decision on how to act, if you have any concerns about a child or adult at risk, this should be reported using the BWL procedures.

If you have a concern to report, please email safeguarding@britishweightlifting.org.
All reports will be treated confidentially and with care.

Reporting a concern can be an intimidating process so BWL have put together some helpful guides to follow.

Reporting concerns outside the sport

Reporting concerns within the sport

Responding to concerns from a young person

Safeguarding disciplinary guidelines and process

Whistle blowing policy

Duty of care and policies

Duty of care and policies for Northern Ireland

There are two main safeguarding courses. The first course is called Safeguarding & Protecting Children which is designed for all those working with young people while the second, Time to Listen, is specifically for Club Welfare Officers.

For more information on the workshops, how to attend and refresher training please click here

There are several organisations that offer safeguarding workshops, but these must be deemed suitable by the Child Protection in Sport Unit to be accepted.

See the Child Protection in Sport Unit upcoming calendar here.

If you are unsure whether a workshop that you have attended is recognised, please check by contacting BWL’s Lead Safeguarding officer Sue Ward sue.ward@britishweightlifting.org

Refresher Training

Due to frequent changes in legislation, members must renew their 3-hour face-to-face training every three years.

Are Online Courses Accepted for updating your knowledge after 3 years?

Members must attend a physical workshop; this is due to the nature of the issues and the need to discuss them to explore different scenarios and the boundaries of acceptable behaviour. It can only be done sufficiently in a workshop setting facilitated by an experienced tutor.

Annual refresher course

We have created a CPD course to help keep your safeguarding knowledge up to date between your 3-year face to face courses. Please check our eLearning courses here

Further questions

If you have any questions about safeguarding training requirements please email BWL’s Lead Safeguarding officer Sue Ward sue.ward@britishweightlifting.org

The Sport Welfare Officer Network (SWO Network) is a Sport England initiative providing local safeguarding support to clubs. Each Sport Welfare Officer (SWO) offers professional guidance to help Club Welfare Officers ensure safe and inclusive environments for all members.

The network consists of 63 dedicated Sport Welfare Officers across 43 Active Partnerships, all working closely with Sport England, National Governing Bodies (NGBs), and key partners to ensure best practices in safeguarding.

Find Your Local Officer: Active Partnerships Website

Need support? Contact safeguarding@britishweightlifting.org

Useful websites and helplines

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

Welfare officers and all coaches must have an active Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, this establishes if the person is considered suitable to work with children and adults.

DBS checks are valid for two years from date of issue or the date of an online service update check by British Weight Lifting. All adults who wish to continue to work in a role which requires a DBS check must renew their application prior to its expiry after two years.

If an individual, working in a role which requires a DBS check, receives a conviction or a caution for any offence, they must notify British Weight Lifting within 28 days of the date of the conviction or caution. They will usually be required to complete a new DBS check.

DBS Process:

Coaches

To apply for a British Weight Lifting DBS certificate, you must first apply for a Coach licence through your BWL account. BWL will then assess your application and if required, will set up a DBS application through online checking company, First Advantage. You will be required to:

1) complete an online application through First Advantage and

2) submit ID documents to BWL for verification – the DBS will not be processed until both steps have been completed.

Welfare Officers

You must upload your safeguarding qualification to Sport 80. You will then be contacted by BWL to progress your DBS application through online checking company, First Advantage if required.

DBS Process:

PLEASE NOTE: Government guidelines for DBS checks are currently stating that they can take up to 90 days to be completed.

A DBS check costs £16.30 which is First Advantage’s admin fee.

BWL accepts existing DBS checks provided they are:

1) of an Enhanced level and

2) are registered on the online update service. You will be required to submit a copy of your DBS certificate to authorise BWL to check your existing DBS on the update service.

For those living in Northern Ireland, DBS checks will be processed by Access NI and have an admin fee of £10.00.

Referrals to the Safeguarding Case Management Group

If British Weight Lifting is notified of disclosures on an applicant’s DBS check which require a risk assessment before clearance, the matter will be referred to a Safeguarding Case Management Group (SCMG) for determination by the SCMG.

However, the Lead Safeguarding Officer has the power to determine that disclosures on an applicant’s DBS check do not require a risk assessment, by virtue of the fact that they are not sufficiently serious, and the individual can be cleared to continue in their role upon notification.

Where an applicant’s DBS disclosures are referred to the SCMG, the applicant cannot commence or continue in a role requiring a DBS check until such time as a decision as to their suitability has been made.