Behavioural Policy

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT

We believe in a positive approach to behaviour management based on positive reinforcement, recognition and reward. Usually this is enough, however in order to keep all coaches and gymnasts safe during sessions we ensure that all participants keep to club rules and in the case of rules or the code of conduct being broken a child will initially be asked to stop and reminded of the rules. The code of conduct and rules of the gym will be talked through with the child and they will be helped to think through the reason for these being in place.

If the same behaviour continues they will be given a verbal warning that if it continues again they will be given a time out and have sit at the side for a while, then if it still continues the child has a short time out where we discuss again the reason for the rule they are struggling to keep. Whenever a child has had a time out we will let their parent / guardian know at the end of the session.

SUSPENSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS POLICY

If the same child has had a time out in class for more than two weeks in a row for the same behaviour the head coach may decide to ask the child to miss the following weeks session to try to help them to understand that their actions have consequences and that we require gymnasts to adhere to the club code of conduct and rules of the gym in order to keep everyone safe and make the session enjoyable for all involved.

If the same thing happens a second time within the same term (i.e. time outs three weeks in a row) the child may be asked to leave the club as we must consider the safety, well-being and enjoyment of the rest of the class as well as the individual involved and it may be that gymnastics is just not the most suitable sport for them. Suspending or excluding a child from club sessions will only ever be taken as a last resort after working hard with the child involved and their parents for a more positive outcome and change in behaviour.

ANTI BULLYING POLICY

Springbucks Gymnastics Club is committed to providing an environment for children that is safe, welcoming and free from bullying. Bullying of any form is unacceptable in our Club, whether the offender is a child or an adult. The victim is never responsible for being the target of bullying.

Everyone involved in the club, staff, children and parent/carers, will be made aware of the Club’s stance towards bullying. Such behaviour will not be tolerated or excused under any circumstances.

The Club defines bullying as the repeated harassment of others through emotional, physical, verbal or psychological abuse. Examples of such behaviour are as follows:

  • Emotional: Being deliberately unkind, shunning or excluding another person from a group or tormenting them. For example, forcing another person to be ‘left out’ of a game or activity, passing notes about others or making fun of another person.
  • Physical: Pushing, scratching, spitting, kicking, hitting, biting, taking or damaging belongings, tripping up, punching or using any other sort of violence against another person.
  • Verbal: Name-calling, put-downs, ridiculing or using words to attack, threaten or insult. For example, spreading rumours or making fun of another person’s appearance.
  • Psychological: Behaviour likely to instill a sense of fear or anxiety in another person.

 

PREVENTING BULLYING BEHAVIOUR

The Lead Session Coach and coaching team will make every effort to create a tolerant and caring environment in the Club, where bullying behaviour is not acceptable. Staff will discuss the issues surrounding bullying openly, including why bullying behaviour will not be tolerated and what the consequences of bullying behaviour will be.

 

DEALING WITH BULLYING BEHAVIOUR

Despite all efforts to prevent it, bullying behaviour is likely to occur on occasion and the Club recognises this fact. In the event of such incidents, the following principles will govern the Club’s response:

  • All incidents of bullying will be addressed thoroughly and sensitively.
  • Children will be encouraged to immediately report any incident of bullying that they witness. They will be reassured that what they say will be taken seriously and handled carefully.
  • Staff have a duty to inform the Lead Session Coach if they witness an incident of bullying involving children or adults at the Club.
  • If a child or a member of staff tells someone that they are being bullied, they will be given the time to explain what has happened and reassured that they were right to tell.
  • The individual who has been the victim of bullying will be helped and supported by the staff team. They will be kept under close supervision and staff will check on their welfare regularly.
  • In most cases, bullying behaviour can be addressed according to the strategies set out in the Behaviour Management policy. The bully will be encouraged to discuss their behaviour and think through the consequences of their actions. Where appropriate, they will be encouraged to talk through the incident with the other person concerned.
  • Where bullying behaviour persists, more serious actions may have to be taken, as laid out in the Suspensions and Exclusions policy above.
  • A member of staff will inform the parents/carers of all the children involved in a bullying incident at the earliest possible opportunity. If appropriate, staff will facilitate a meeting between the relevant parents/carers. At all times, staff will handle such incidents with care and sensitivity.
  • All incidents of bullying will be reported by the Lead Session Coach to the Manager and will be recorded in the Incident Record Book. In the light of reported incidents, the Manager and other relevant staff will review the Club’s procedures in respect of bullying.