Parent's Hub: Safeguarding

Parents play a vital part in safeguarding children in sport. Children may come to their parents to tell them when they are concerned or worried about something that has happened to them or about something they have witnessed happening to someone else. In such cases, it is important for parents to know how to raise the alarm appropriately.

If you're worried that your child is being abused or put at risk during sports activities, it's vital that you talk to someone.

The animation below is a useful guide for parents of children participating in sport.

Weightlifting Wales and British Weight Lifting licensed clubs are required to have safeguarding measures in place, including qualified coaches with an enhanced DBS, and club welfare officers who have completed a Safeguarding and Protecting Children classroom workshop, via UK Coaching, additional courses are available such as the Time to Listen workshop. Clubs affiliated to Weightlifting Wales and British Weight Lifting are bound by their agreements to enforce safeguarding procedures within their club. Weightlifting Wales and British Weight Lifting have no influence over unaffiliated Weight Lifting facilities in Wales / the UK and for this reason, it is highly recommended that lifters choose an affiliated centre to practice Weightlifting.

Visit our news section for important guidance for members.

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. (See 2.2 in Safeguarding Policy).

People who hold a position of trust; such as a coach, a welfare officer, an official or a member of staff within a club or organisation, have a responsibility for the welfare of the under 18's members of their club / organisation, and therefore should not engage in a sexual relationship with anyone within their care, who is under the age of 18 years old.

If you are concerned about the behaviour of someone who is in a position of trust, you can report this to:

• Your/your child's Club Welfare Officer
• Weightlifting Wales Safeguarding Officers (simon.roach@weightlifting.wales or hannah.powell@weightlifting.wales)
• British Weight Lifting Safeguarding Officer (Sue Ward - via email: sue.ward@britishweightlifting.org or telephone: 01132 249 402.)
• The Police

If you need to make a report to Weightlifting Wales, you can contact Simon Roach, Lead Safeguarding Officer on simon.roach@weightlifting.wales or Hannah Powell, Deputy Safeguarding Officer on hannah.powell@weightlifting.wales, you may email also use one of the forms below to detail your report.