Weightlifting Wales is committed to safeguarding people participating in the sport, it is therefore vital that everyone involved in Weightlifting Wales, including coaches, volunteers and staff, are aware of their duty to safeguard the interest of children, young people and adults at risk.
Visit our news section for an important update on guidance for members.
Safeguarding and Good Practice: Youth Bodyweight Categories at WW Events
At Weightlifting Wales (WW), we recognise that young lifters are growing and adapting to training. To support their development and wellbeing, the following trial rules will apply at WW events:
Reducing Weight:
WW strongly discourages any lifter under 18 from cutting weight for competition. If a change of category is needed, please let the organiser know - it is no problem to update this before the event.
Weightlifting Wales is committed to safeguarding people participating in the sport, it is therefore vital that everyone involved in Weightlifting Wales, including coaches, volunteers and staff, are aware of their duty to safeguard the interest of children, young people and adults at risk.
In 2022 new legislation was published, closing a loophole which had previously enabled some sport leaders to abuse their position of trust. To read more about this, view the document below titled: Preventing Abuse in Positions of Trust in Sport under the heading Policies, Forms and Useful Guidance.
Weightlifting Wales is committed to Safeguarding young people participating in the sport, it is therefore vital that everyone involved in Weightlifting Wales is aware of their duty to safeguard the interest of young people. Providing support through coach education, Sport Wales funding guidance, contact with Regional Development Officers and information supplied on our website, we aim to continue the good work being carried out at affiliated centres and within our workforce.
Sport should be a fun, enjoyable and safe part of every participant’s life. You should be able to trust the people in your Weightlifting environment. If something is making you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, then it is important that you tell somebody who you trust, such as a parent or guardian/other family member, a coach, a club welfare officer, or someone at school. If you attend a Weightlifting Wales affiliated club, there should be a poster with the contact details of the two assigned Welfare Officers. If you can’t find it, you can ask the people in charge of the gym or email office@weightlifting.wales for the details.
For more information about what to look out for, and who to talk to if you are worried or upset, click here
REMEMBER
It's not your responsibility to decide whether or not abuse has taken place, but it is your responsibility to act if you have concerns. No action is not an option. Never ignore a concern; your information may be vital, no matter how insignificant you may think it is.
If a child or vulnerable person discloses information to you about abuse, here are some tips on how to handle that conversation:
DO:
- Make yourself accessible for that person to approach you
- Stay calm and reassure them
- Listen to them and take them seriously
- Explain what you are going to do next once they finish telling you
- Consult with safeguarding officers immediately - call the police if you have concerns about immediate risk
- Write down everything you have been told and include all the details you can.
DO NOT:
- React strongly; it may be very difficult for this person to tell you this information and your reactions may make it more difficult
- Jump to conclusions
- Make any promises to keep secrets - you will have to disclose any concerns
- Make speculations or ask leading questions
- Interrupt or stop someone whilst they are giving information
- Try to fill silences during a disclosure; allow them to think
- Dismiss or downplay their concerns
- Keep information to yourself - you have a duty to report a concern about abuse
Links for Parents and Carers and people in positions of care
NSPCC: 5 things to ask your child's Sports Coach when choosing a club for them
NSPCC: Keeping children safe in sport: A Parent's Charter
Child Protection in Sport Unit: Advice for Parents
Free E-Learning for Parents: Keep your child safe in Sport
NSPCC Information and Guidance on Protecting Children from Grooming
Upcoming Safeguarding Courses:
Safeguarding Adults in Sport and Activity (Online)
Free Parent E-Learning (English)
Free Parent E-Learning (Cymraeg)
Training and webinars NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit
As part of our commitment to safeguarding in sport, Weightlifting Wales uses the Welsh Sports Association (WSA) DBS Checking Service for Sport & Leisure. The service is run through its trading arm Vibrant Nation, and provides bilingual, online DBS checks (Disclosure and Barring Service, formally CRB).
The WSA is the only provider of a fully bilingual system and service in Wales, and even offer a free DBS bilingual helpline should you have any questions. WSA offer a range of ID verification options, including the Post Office. The system also utilises the DBS Update Service, allowing Weightlifting Wales to fully enhance our safeguarding practices.
The system is entirely web-based and can be accessed from any location, and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The system will also guide you through the process, ensuring that all correct information is provided thus reducing the likelihood of errors. Most applications are returned within 2 weeks, although many come back much quicker than this, some as quickly as 24 hours.
All individuals working with/having regular unsupervised contact with children should undertake an enhanced disclosure DBS check. Additionally, in Weightlifitng all licensed coaches must have an enhanced disclosure DBS check
For more information on DBS checks, please contact the Welsh Sports Association via the e-mail address or Helpline service below:
admin@vibrantnation.co.uk Tel 029 2033 4995
Alternatively contact your Weightlifting Wales safeguarding officers Simon Roach and Hannah Powell via the details below:
Simon.roach@weightlifting.wales; Hannah.powell@weightlifting.wales
Welfare Reporting Form
Bullying Report Form
Reporting Procedures Flowchart
Safeguarding Policy
Preventing Abuse in Positions of Trust in Sport
Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy
Safeguarding Adults at Risk Procedures
Annual Safeguarding Report 2025
Safeguarding Disciplinary Procedures
Welsh County Safeguarding Contacts
Guidance for responding to a concern
Photography Guidelines
Duty of Care Policy and Procedures
Code of Ethics Policy
Lead Safeguarding Officer Role Description
