I’m involved in running a club/organisation/gym

Parkour should be fun, safe, and include everyone.

If you are operating a parkour gym or organising an event and require safeguarding guidance, contact us at safeguarding@parkour.uk. 

Minimum requirements for clubs and organisations

• Meet Parkour UK Coaching Standards: Ensure that all coaching standards set by Parkour UK are consistently upheld. 
• Appoint a Club/Organisation Welfare Officer: Designate a Welfare Officer to oversee safeguarding. Click here for the job description. Welfare Officer Job Description
• Establish a Club Safe Sport Policy: It is essential to have a safeguarding policy in place. You can find guidance for for writing a safeguarding policy for children here and for adults here.
• Ensure relevant training: All individuals who have regular contact with children or adults at risk should complete the appropriate UK Coaching safeguarding training. Training courses can be found here.
• Maintain up-to-date DBS checks: The Welfare Officer, coaches, and anyone regularly interacting with children and adults at risk must have an up-to-date enhanced DBS check. For more information, refer to our DBS guide and listen to our podcast on the basics of DBS checks here. 
• Publicise Welfare Officer details: The Welfare Officer should ensure their details are publicly available and shared with participants, parents, volunteers and coaches.
• Keep records of training and checks: The Welfare Officer should keep an up-to-date record of the training and DBS checks mentioned above and ensure people renew these every three years.

Going beyond the minimum requirements

To make your club or organisation even safer and more supportive, think about these practical steps:

• Visibility of safeguarding information: Ensure that posters and information related to safeguarding, safety, inclusion, mental health, online safety, and raising concerns are prominently displayed in venues, on websites, and across social media platforms.
• Regular communication: Maintain ongoing communication with parents, carers, participants, and coaches regarding safeguarding issues and initiatives.
• Fostering an inclusive environment: Create a welcoming atmosphere within your club or organisation that encourages everyone, including coaches, to challenge inappropriate or harmful behaviour, regardless of who is responsible. 
• Safe recruitment practices: Implement robust recruitment practices for coaches and volunteers, going beyond just DBS checks. For more information, refer to the Safer Recruitment Resources.
• Safe spaces and events: Ensure that all events, activities, and competitions adhere to safety guidelines. For more information, visit Safe sport events, activities and competitions | CPSU.
• Promoting well-being: Actively promote the general well-being of all participants and the broader community within your club or organisation.

By taking these additional steps, you can create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone involved. A useful page to assess your club/organisation’s safeguarding effectiveness: Culture in Clubs & Groups Self Evaluation – Ann Craft Trust. 

As a gym owner or someone who runs a club or organisation, you hold a position of influence. Your leadership directly impacts the success of the organisation, as well as the enjoyment and safety of all participants. With this power comes responsibility. It’s crucial that your coaches feel comfortable approaching you or raising concerns without fear of retaliation if something doesn’t seem right.

Good coaches recognise that they are part of a larger team that includes clubs, parents, participants, and volunteers. They understand that everyone involved plays a role in the overall experience. Coaches should promote an environment where people feel empowered to speak up, challenge inappropriate behaviour, and intervene when necessary, rather than creating a permissive atmosphere.

When issues arise, it can often be because the coach holds too much power, which may discourage others from voicing their concerns or questioning poor practices for fear of negative consequences or being seen as failing.

Involving parents and carers

The most effective clubs and organisations prioritise keeping parents informed about how to support their children and ensure their safety. They maintain regular communication with parents and carers regarding safeguarding matters.

Parents are encouraged to ask questions and share their ideas with the club or organisation. Additionally, clear expectations should be set for parents' behaviour towards participants and coaches during training sessions and events.

For more insights on enhancing parental involvement in your club, check out the recommendations for coaches provided on this page: How to improve parental involvement in your club: recommendations for coaches | CPSU.

Involving children/young people and adults at risk

Safeguarding should be a topic that children, young people, and adults are familiar with in your organisation—not just knowing who the Safeguarding or Welfare Officer is, but also understanding where to find more information. It’s essential to consult with and listen to young people and adults, particularly those at risk. Regularly seeking feedback through meetings, one-on-one chats, or surveys about the organisation's operations and coaching styles can be very beneficial. For more ideas, check out these resources:

• Involving children and young people in their sport | CPSU
• Safeguarding Adults in Physical Activity and Sport – UK Coaching

Participants should be encouraged to ask questions and contribute their ideas to the club or organisation. Additionally, clear expectations for participant behaviour should be established. If you have a concern, it’s crucial to take action—safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We all have a duty to protect and safeguard children and adults from abuse and neglect. Any allegations or suspicions of abuse, bullying behaviour, or poor practice must be addressed and reported.

 Click here and here to learn more about the different types of abuse and signs to look out for in the sports environment. More information on abuse and poor practice can also be found in the Parkour UK Safe Sport Policy.