CENTRAL GYMNASTICS ACADEMY
Disciplinary Procedure
PROCEDURE FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR SHOWN BY A GYMNAST
Stage 1: Recorded Verbal Warning
If a coach feels a gymnast has displayed inappropriate behaviour during training or at competition or a Academy event (such as being persistently disruptive, dangerous behaviour, or not following the Academy’s code of conduct) they will be given a verbal warning stating what behaviour needs to stop, and why. On the second occasion the
gymnast will be asked to sit to the side of the session for a length of time deemed appropriate by the Coach. The Coach is responsible for explaining to the gymnast why they have been told to sit out. On the third occasion, the gymnasts’ parents will be called and asked to collect her/him. The Coach will record the verbal warning in the Academy’s incident book held by the Head Coach stating the date, warning given, reason for it and any specific improvements required within a given date. It should be discussed with the parent immediately when the gymnast is collected and signed by parent and coach. A recorded verbal warning will expire after 3 months if no further poor behaviour has been noted.
Stage 2: Written Warning
If there is repeated inappropriate behaviour by a gymnast where a recorded verbal warning has already been given in the previous 3 months, or an offence is serious, the Coach will issue a written warning, and this will be approved by the Head Coach, and the Directors shall be informed immediately. The written warning should be issued to the gymnast within 10 working days of the incident in the following format: Date of the inappropriate behaviour, factual description of the incident, what the coach’s response was at the time, effect of the inappropriate behaviour on the gymnast, other gymnasts and coaches as relevant, any other points, actions for improvement and timescale, gymnasts’ response. The Head Coach will try to agree the actions needed with the gymnast and parents/guardians concerned to improve the behaviour.
Stage 3: Final Written warning
A Final written warning is issued to the gymnasts by the Head Coach if the gymnasts has failed to improve in the required timescale or if the misconduct is extremely serious. The format of the Final Written Warning will be the same as for Written Warning. The Directors shall be informed immediately. A copy will be kept on file for two years and then disregarded.
Stage 4: Suspension or Expulsion
Suspension or expulsion from the Academy may result if the gymnast’s conduct is still unsatisfactory or there is gross misconduct (such as aggressive or abusive behaviour, dishonesty, bringing the Academy into disrepute). The decision to suspend or expel any member from the Academy will be taken by a Disciplinary Committee, which will be made up of the Head Coach Director and child protection officer.
Appeal
A gymnast’s parent or guardian can make a written appeal against any written warnings, suspension or expulsion within ten working days. The appeal should be in writing to the Academy’s Child Protection Officer. If not already involved within the process already, Scottish Gymnastics will be notified for their input. The Appeals decision will be final and it will be communicated in writing to the appealing gymnast
within 5 working days of the decision.
PROCEDURE FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR SHOWN BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN
If a Coach feels a parent has displayed inappropriate behaviour, they will be reported to the Head Coach (see Parents/Guardians’ Code of Conduct for details). The Parent will be given the chance to discuss their behaviour with the Head Coach and if appropriate the Coach involved. In the first instance, the Head Coach will try to resolve any difficulties face to face with the Parent/Guardian concerned and agree a plan of action. It is recommended that a neutral 3rd party is present at this meeting, and the outcomes of the discussions are written down. Depending on the seriousness of the inappropriate behaviour, escalation will follow stages 2 to 4 above. Suspension or expulsion of a parent or guardian from being a member of the Academy does not mean that the gymnast is suspended or expelled.
PROCEDURE FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR SHOWN BY ANY COACH OR VOLUNTEER AT THE ACADEMY
If a Gymnast feels that a Head Coach, Coach, Volunteer or any person helping in the gym has displayed inappropriate behaviour they should report the matter directly to the Child Protection Officer who will follow the correct and appropriate procedures. If a Parent/Guardian, another Coach or any person feels that a Coach or Academy official has displayed inappropriate behaviour they should report the matter directly to the Head Coach.
Stage 1: Verbal Warning
If a member of the coaching team has displayed inappropriate behaviour, they will be given a verbal warning by the Head Coach stating what behaviour needs to stop, and why.
Stage 2: Written Warning
If there is repeated inappropriate behaviour by or complaints against a staff member where a recorded verbal warning has already been given in the previous 3 months, or an offence is serious, the Disciplinary Committee (which will be made up of the Head Coach, director and child protection officer) will issue a written warning. The written warning should be issued to the contracted coach, employee or volunteer within 10 working days of the incident in the following format: Date of the inappropriate behaviour, factual description of the incident, what the relevant parties’ responses were at the time, effect of the inappropriate behaviour on gymnasts, other parents and coaches as relevant, any other points, actions for improvement and timescale, Coach’s/ volunteer’s response. The Disciplinary Committee will try to agree the actions needed with the coach or volunteer concerned to improve the behaviour.
Stage 3: Final Written warning
A Final written warning is issued to a member of the coaching team by the Disciplinary Committee if the coach/volunteer failed to improve in the required timescale or if the misconduct is extremely serious. The format of the Final Written Warning will be the same as for Written Warning. A copy will be kept on file for two years and then disregarded.
Stage 4: Suspension or Expulsion
Suspension or expulsion from the Academy may result if the a member of the coaching team’s conduct is still unsatisfactory or there is gross misconduct (such as aggressive or abusive behaviour, dishonesty, bringing the Academy into disrepute)
Appeal
Any member of the coaching team can make a written appeal against any written warnings, suspension or expulsion within fifteen working days. The appeal should be in writing to the Appeal’s Committee. An appeal will be heard by an Appeals Committee within 10 working days of the appeal being received. The Appeals Committee will consist of the Head Coach, Director and child protection officer for the Academy. The Appeals Committee decision will be final, and it will be communicated in writing to the appealing member of the coaching team within 5 working days of the decision. Any Coach contracted by is contracted as a Service Provider and can be asked to leave the Academy after being given 7 days’ notice by the Head Coach.
Reviewed 07/08/2023