Coaches Code of Practice

Introduction 

The purpose of this code  is to ensure professional conduct from all coaches involved with Triple Crown ARSC promote a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for all participants of artistic roller skating.  

Someone engaged in coaching may do so under the title of coach, instructor, teacher, or leader. Regardless of the badge they wear, this Code applies to all those who help others achieve their goals through sport and physical activity.

Rights 

"Coaches must respect and champion the rights of every individual to participate in sport and physical activity"

Your Responsibilities as a Coach

  • create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to participate in artistic roller skating 
  • maintain an environment free of fear and harassment 
  • recognise the rights of all participants to be treated as individuals 
  • recognise the rights of participants to seek advice from other coaches and experts 
  • promote the concept of a balanced lifestyle, supporting the well-being of participants in and out of the sport 

Your Behaviour as a Coach

  • Treat all individuals with respect at all times.
  • Do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, colour, disability, sexual identity, age, occupation, religious beliefs, or political opinion. 
  • Do not allow any form of discrimination to go unchallenged. 
  • Do not publicly criticise or engage in demeaning descriptions of others. 
  • Be discreet in any conversations about participants, coaches, or any other individuals. 
  • Communicate with and provide feedback to participants in a way that reflects respect and care. 

Relationships

"Coaches must develop a relationship with their participants (and others) based on openness, honesty, mutual trust, and respect"

Your Responsibilities

  • must not engage in behaviour that constitutes any form of abuse (for children: physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, bullying and for adults: self-neglect, modern slavery, domestic abuse, discriminatory, organisational, physical, sexual, financial, or material, neglect and acts of omission, emotional or psychological). For more information, please visit the Ann Craft Trust website 
  • should promote the welfare and best interests of their participants 
  • must avoid sexual intimacy with participants, either while coaching them or in the period of time immediately following the end of the coaching relationship. The Position of Trust law now includes sports coaches and sports organisations in England and Wales. This specific law relates to children aged 16 and 17, who are above the age of sexual consent but still children in the eyes of the law. For further information visit the CPSU website 
  • must take action if they have a concern about the behaviour of an adult towards a child or an adult at risk 
  • should empower participants to be responsible for their own decisions 
  • should clarify the nature of the coaching services being offered 
  • should communicate and cooperate with other organisations and individuals in the best interests of participants. 

Your Behaviour

  • Be aware of the physical needs of all participants (especially at the developmental stage) and ensure that training loads and intensities are appropriate. 
  • Ensure that physical contact is appropriate and necessary, and is carried out within recommended guidelines (provided by governing bodies of sport) with the participant’s full consent and approval. 
  • Do not engage in any form of sexually related contact or activity with any participant for whom you have responsibility. This extends to sexual innuendo, flirting or inappropriate gestures and terms. Coaches are in a position of power and trust in relation to participants. By entering into an intimate/sexual relationship with a participant, a coach may be deemed guilty of abusing this position and, in relation to children and young people, this may be unlawful. For further information on the Positions of Trust, visit the CPSU website. 
  • Inform parents/guardians immediately if you are at all concerned about the welfare of a child unless there are concerns that this would not be in the interests of the child. 
  • Know and understand the Triple Crown ARSC and GBSA child protection/safeguarding policies and procedures and follow them. 
  • Follow the reporting procedures laid down by Triple Crown ARSC and GBSA if you have a concern – non-action is unacceptable. 
  • Arrange to transfer a participant to another coach if it is clear that an inappropriate or intimate relationship is developing. For further information on the Positions of Trust visit the CPSU website. 
  • Discuss with parents/guardians and other interested parties the potential impact of the programme on the participant. 
  • Respect participants’ opinions when making decisions about their participation in their sport. 
  • Encourage participants to take responsibility for their own development and actions. 
  • Allow participants to discuss and participate in the decision-making process. 
  • Discuss and agree with participants what information is confidential. 
  • Inform participants or their parents/guardians of the requirements of the sport or activity. 
  • Inform participants or their parents/guardians of any potential costs involved in accessing the coaching services on offer. 
  • Be aware of and communicate any conflict of interest as soon as it becomes apparent. 
  • Identify and agree with participants which other experts or organisations could offer appropriate services. 

Personal Standards 

"Coaches must demonstrate proper personal behaviour and conduct at all times"

Your Responsibilities

  • must be fair, honest, and considerate to participants and others in their sport 
  • should project an image of health, personal hygiene, and functional efficiency 
  • must be positive role models for participants at all times. 

Your Behaviour

  • Operate within the rules and the spirit of your artistic roller skating. 
  • Educate participants on issues relating to the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport and cooperate fully with UK Anti-Doping, UK Sport and GBSA policies. 
  • Maintain the same level of interest and support when a participant is sick or injured. 
  • Display high standards in use of language, manner, punctuality, preparation, and presentation. 
  • Encourage participants to display the same qualities. 
  • Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs before or while coaching. This gives a negative image and could compromise safety. 
  • Display control, respect, dignity, and professionalism to all involved in artistic roller skating. 

Professional Standards 

"To maximise the benefits and minimise the risks to participants, coaches must attain an appropriate level of competence through qualifications, and a commitment to ongoing training to ensure safe and correct practice"

 

Your Responsibilities 

  • ensure the environment is as safe as possible, considering, and minimising risks 
  • promote safe and correct practice 
  • be professional and accept responsibility for their actions 
  • make a commitment to providing a high-quality service to their participants 
  • actively promote the  positive  benefits to society of participation in sport and activity, including the contribution it makes to achieving improved health, well-being and educational outcomes for children and young people 
  • contribute to the development of coaching by exchanging knowledge and ideas with others, and by  working  in  partnership with other agencies and professionals 
  • gain qualifications appropriate to the level at which they coach. 

Your Behaviour

  • Follow the guidelines of GBSA 
  • Plan all sessions so they meet the needs of the participants and are progressive and appropriate. 
  • Maintain appropriate records of your participants’ progress. 
  • Recognise and accept when it is appropriate to refer a participant to another coach or specialist. 
  • Seek to achieve the highest appropriate level of qualification available. 
  • Seek continuing personal development (CPD) opportunities to develop your coaching skills and competencies and update your knowledge. 
  • Be aware of relevant social issues and how your sport can contribute to local, regional, or national initiatives. 
  • Actively participate in recruitment and education opportunities in your sport. 
  • Actively contribute to local, regional, and national initiatives to improve the standards and quality of coaching both in your sport and sport in general. 
  • Work in an open and transparent way that encourages other coaches to contribute to or learn from your knowledge and experience. 
  • Use self-analysis and reflection to identify your developmental needs. 
  • Manage your lifestyle and coaching commitments to avoid the burnout that might impair your performance. 
  • Do not assume responsibility for any role for which you are not qualified or prepared. 
  • Do not misrepresent your level of qualification. 
  • Promote good coaching practice in others and challenge any poor practice you observe.