Fitness to
Practise Protocol
The process by which ADAPT Qualifications reviews and acts upon concerns about the conduct of candidates, certified coaches and tutors. This protocol applies from the point of enrolment and is the mechanism through which breaches of the ADAPT Code of Conduct are formally addressed.
1. Purpose and Scope
ADAPT Qualifications is responsible for the standard of parkour coaching certification across all countries in which its courses are delivered. That responsibility extends beyond technical knowledge and pedagogical skill. It includes the conduct, character and professional behaviour of everyone who holds or is working toward an ADAPT qualification.
This protocol sets out the process by which ADAPT reviews and acts upon concerns about the conduct of candidates (those currently enrolled on an ADAPT course or certification process), certified coaches (holders of any ADAPT level), and tutors (ADAPT Coach Educators at any level).
This protocol applies to conduct in any context that is relevant to a person's suitability as a parkour coach — including but not limited to ADAPT courses, parkour training sessions, community events, online spaces, and any other setting in which the person represents themselves as an ADAPT-affiliated coach. It operates alongside and gives effect to the ADAPT Code of Conduct.
2. Guiding Principles
Every review carried out under this protocol is governed by the following principles. They apply equally to the person raising a concern and to the person the concern is about.
The subject of a concern is informed that a concern has been raised and given the opportunity to respond before any decision is made.
The subject has a defined period to provide their account in writing before the review panel reaches a conclusion.
No formal outcome is determined by one person alone. All formal reviews are decided by a panel of at least three people.
Decisions are proportionate to the seriousness and credibility of the concern and to any history of previous concerns.
ADAPT is not a court. The question is whether, on the balance of credible information, there is sufficient reason to act — not whether conduct can be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
The identity of the person raising a concern is protected wherever possible. Records are held securely and accessed only by those with a direct role in the case.
The subject has the right to appeal any formal outcome on specified grounds to a person not involved in the original review.
Anyone who raises a concern in good faith will not be penalised for doing so, even if the concern is not substantiated after review.
3. Conduct Standards
All ADAPT candidates and certified coaches are required to sign and adhere to the ADAPT Code of Conduct at enrolment. The following categories of conduct may give rise to a Fitness to Practise review. This list is illustrative, not exhaustive.
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Inappropriate personal conduct | Harassment, unwanted physical contact, persistent unwanted attention, intimidation, sexual remarks or advances, or behaviour that makes participants, coaches or community members feel unsafe or uncomfortable — in any setting |
| Discriminatory behaviour | Conduct that demeans or targets individuals on the basis of gender, race, age, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic |
| Abuse of position | Using a coaching role to gain inappropriate access to, or influence over, participants — particularly in relation to young people or vulnerable adults |
| Professional misconduct | Misrepresenting qualifications, acting beyond the scope of certification, concealing incidents or injuries, or bringing the ADAPT community into disrepute |
| Repeated or aggravated conduct | Patterns of conduct that, individually, might be addressed informally, but which cumulatively indicate unsuitability for certification or continued practice |
4. Raising a Concern
Anyone may raise a concern — including tutors, course hosts, participants, community members, other coaches, or the subject's own organisation. Concerns may also be raised by ADAPT staff or directors on the basis of information that comes to ADAPT's attention through any channel.
Concerns should be submitted in writing to info@adaptqualifications.com. The submission should include the name of the person the concern relates to; a description of the conduct and when it occurred; whether the person raising the concern witnessed events directly or was informed by others; whether anyone else was present or affected; and any supporting information available.
The identity of the person raising a concern will be protected wherever possible. Where disclosure is unavoidable — for example, in a panel review — the person will be informed before their identity is shared. Anonymous concerns may be assessed but may limit what action can be taken.
ADAPT will acknowledge receipt of any concern within 5 working days. The person raising the concern will be kept informed of progress at each stage, subject to confidentiality constraints.
5. Initial Assessment
On receipt of a concern, a named Conduct Lead — a senior ADAPT director or designee with no personal connection to the case — will carry out an initial assessment within 10 working days. The purpose is to determine which of the following three paths applies.
The concern does not relate to conduct within ADAPT's scope, is clearly unfounded on the information available, or does not meet the threshold for review. The person who raised the concern is notified with brief reasons.
The concern is credible but relatively minor or isolated, and does not require a formal panel review. The Conduct Lead may contact the subject directly with a reminder of conduct expectations. This conversation is noted on file but does not constitute a formal finding.
The concern is sufficiently serious, credible, or involves a pattern of behaviour to warrant a panel review. The Conduct Lead notifies the subject that a formal review has been opened and invites their written response. Where a candidate is currently enrolled on a course, the certification process is paused pending the outcome of the review.
Panel convened — see Section 66. Formal Review Process
The Review Panel consists of three people appointed by ADAPT and drawn from senior directors, tutors or external advisers. At least one panel member must have no personal connection to either the subject or the person who raised the concern. The panel does not include the Conduct Lead who carried out the initial assessment.
The subject is informed in writing that a formal review has been opened. They are told the nature of the concern — though not necessarily the identity of who raised it at this stage — and given 14 days to submit a written response.
The panel reviews the original concern, any written response from the subject, and any additional information it considers relevant. The panel may invite further written submissions. There is no in-person hearing as a standard element — the panel may request one if it considers it necessary.
The panel reaches a decision by majority. The decision and the reasons for it are communicated in writing to the subject within 5 working days of the panel's conclusion. The person who raised the concern is informed of the outcome at the same time.
The full review process — from formal review being opened to decision communicated — should be completed within 40 working days wherever possible. Where this is not achievable, the subject is informed of the delay and given a revised timeframe.
7. Possible Outcomes
The panel may determine any one of the following outcomes. Decisions are proportionate to the seriousness and credibility of the concern and to any history of previous concerns. Outcomes 5 and 6 are reserved for the most serious cases.
The panel finds insufficient basis to take action. No record is made on the subject's certification file. The subject is informed and the case is closed.
The panel finds a basis for concern but considers a formal reminder of the Code of Conduct sufficient. The reminder is delivered in writing. A note is made on file but does not appear on any public record or certificate. A second concern of similar nature will escalate to a written warning.
The concern is sufficiently serious or a repeat. A written warning is issued and recorded on the subject's certification file. The warning remains on file for a period defined by the panel — typically 3 years. Any further concern during that period will be treated as aggravated and is likely to lead to suspension or exclusion.
The subject's current certification process is suspended for a defined period, after which they may reapply. The panel will specify any conditions that must be met before reapplication is considered.
The subject is excluded from ADAPT certification for a defined period (minimum 12 months). At the end of that period, they may reapply to enrol, subject to a review of their application by a senior ADAPT director. Reapplication is not automatic.
Reserved for the most serious cases, including repeated serious conduct or conduct that demonstrates fundamental unsuitability as a coach. The subject is permanently excluded from all ADAPT certification and their name is removed from any public coach directory maintained by ADAPT.
8. Right of Response and Appeals
The subject has the right to appeal any formal outcome (outcomes 2 through 6 above). An appeal must be submitted in writing within 21 days of the decision being communicated.
Grounds for appeal are limited to: (a) a material procedural error in the review process; (b) new information that was not available at the time of the review and that is directly relevant to the decision; or (c) a decision that is demonstrably disproportionate to the concern.
Appeals are heard by a person not involved in the original review, appointed by ADAPT. The appeal decision is final.
Submit your appeal in writing to conduct@adaptqualifications.com within 21 days of receiving the panel's decision. State clearly which grounds you are appealing on and provide any supporting information.
9. Certified Coaches and Tutors
This protocol applies to current holders of any ADAPT qualification, not only to candidates. Where a concern is raised about a certified coach or tutor, the same process applies.
Where the outcome is outcome 5 or 6, the subject's certification is suspended or revoked accordingly and they are removed from any public coach registry maintained by ADAPT. ADAPT reserves the right to notify relevant partner organisations — such as national governing bodies — of a revocation where it considers this appropriate.
A coach whose certification is revoked may not represent themselves as an ADAPT-certified coach or use ADAPT's name, logo, or branding in connection with their practice from the date of revocation.
10. Conflicts of Interest
Any person involved in the review process who has a personal, professional or financial relationship with the subject or with the person who raised the concern must declare that relationship and step back from the process. The Conduct Lead is responsible for identifying and managing conflicts of interest at each stage.
A tutor who raises a concern about a candidate they have assessed may not sit on the panel reviewing that concern. A person who has previously expressed a strong opinion about the subject — positive or negative — should not sit on the panel.
11. Record Keeping and Confidentiality
A record is made of every concern received, regardless of whether it proceeds to formal review. Records include the nature of the concern, the stage reached, the outcome, and the date of each stage. The existence of a record is not disclosed publicly except where the outcome involves revocation of certification or permanent exclusion.
| Outcome | Retention period |
|---|---|
| No further action | 3 years from date of decision, then deleted |
| Formal reminder | 3 years from date of decision, then deleted unless a further concern arises |
| Written warning | Duration of warning period plus 2 years |
| Suspension or exclusion with reapplication | 10 years from date of decision |
| Permanent exclusion | Indefinitely |
All records are held securely and accessed only by those with a direct role in the relevant case. The identity of the person who raised a concern is not disclosed to the subject without that person's consent, except where the panel considers disclosure unavoidable for a fair review — in which case, the person is informed before their identity is shared.
Records held under this protocol are personal data and must be handled in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. ADAPT's data protection policy applies to all records held under this protocol.
This protocol will be reviewed by ADAPT Qualifications no less than every two years, or sooner if a case reveals a gap or ambiguity that requires amendment. Questions about this protocol should be directed to info@adaptqualifications.com.