Swim England Child Safeguarding Policy Statement - Updated September 2023
The committee of N&UEL Swimming Club, as managing trustees, recognise the importance of the clubs protection to children and young people and its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people entrusted to the club’s care. As part of its mission, the club is committed to:
1. Adopt and implement the policies and procedures in Wavepower in full.
2. Recognise that all children participating in the organisation (regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability) have a right to enjoy their involvement in aquatics in a safe environment and be protected from harm.
3. Ensure that all individuals who work with children in the organisation, whether paid or voluntary, provide a positive, safe and enjoyable experience for children.
4. Appoint a welfare officer with the necessary skills and training as outlined by Swim England who will take the lead in dealing with all child safeguarding matters raised within the organisation.
5. Ensure that the welfare officer’s name and contact details are known to all staff, members and parents of members.
6. Ensure the welfare officer is available to discuss issues of concern on matters of safeguarding and deal with such concerns appropriately and in line with Wavepower.
7. Ensure that all individuals who work with children in the organisation have undertaken the appropriate training, have had the relevant DBS checks, and adhere to the required practices for safeguarding children as outlined in Wavepower.
8. Ensure that all individuals who will be working or will work with children in the organisation have been recruited in accordance with the Swim England Safe Recruitment Policy.
9. Ensure that all individuals who work with children in the organisation have the appropriate training, code of conduct and good practice to follow in line with the guidance in Wavepower.
10. Provide all members of the organisation and parents of members with the opportunity to raise concerns in a safe and confidential manner if they have a concern about a child’s welfare.
11. Ensure that all child safeguarding matters, whether they be concerns about child welfare or protection, are dealt with appropriately in accordance with the guidance for reporting and action in Wavepower.
12. Ensure that confidentiality is maintained appropriately and in line with the best interests of the child.
13. Ensure all papers relating to child safeguarding matters are held in a safe and secure manner.
The committee recognise the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children and young people. They also acknowledge that children and young people can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. N&UEL swimming club committee has therefore adopted the procedures set out in this document. The policy also recognises the need to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary child protection agencies. The policy and attached practice guidelines are based on a model published by the ASA’s Child Protection WAVEPOWER. The committee undertake to file a copy of the policy and practice guidelines with ASA and social services, and any amendments subsequently published. The committee agree not to allow the document to be copied by other organisations.
The committee are committed to on-going child protection training for all coaches and volunteers.
The committee also undertake to follow the principles found within the Abuse of Trust guidance issued by the Home Office and it is therefore unacceptable for those in a position of trust to engage in any behaviour which might allow a sexual relationship to develop for as long as the relationship of trust continues. Under no circumstances should a member of the committee carry out his or her own investigation into the allegation or suspicion of abuse. The person in receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse will do the following:
Concerns must be reported as soon as possible to the Welfare Officers who is nominated by the committee to act on their behalf in dealing with the allegation or suspicion of neglect or abuse
Name: Teresa Hockley and Laura Tablada
Email: [email protected]
As a matter of good practice, the Welfare Officers may also be required by conditions of the Committee Insurance Policy to immediately inform the insurance company. They may also be required as part of their denominational policy to inform strategic personnel within the committee.
Chairperson: Michael Laniyan
Email: [email protected]
If a child has a physical injury or symptoms of neglect, the Welfare Officer/Secretary will:
1. Contact social services for advice in case of deliberate injury, if concerned about a child’s safety or if a child is afraid to return home.
2. Will not tell the parents or carers unless advised to do so having contacted social services.
3. Seek medical help if needed urgently, informing the doctor of any suspicions.
4. For lesser concerns (e.g. poor parenting), encourage parent/carer to seek help, but not if this places the child at risk of injury.
5. Where the parent/carer is unwilling to seek help, offer to accompany them. In cases of real concern, if they still fail to act, contact social services direct for advice.
6. Seek and follow advice by Swim England (who will confirm their advice in writing) if unsure whether or not to refer a case to social services.
In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse, the Welfare Officer/Secretary will:
1. Contact the Social Services Department Duty Social Worker for children and families of Police Child Protection Team direct. They will NOT speak to the parent/carer or anyone else.
2. Seek and follow the advice given by Swim England if, for any reason they are unsure whether or not to contact Social Services/Police. Swim England will confirm its advice in writing for future reference.
Contact details:
Swim England Swimline – 0808 100 4001
NSPCC Child protection helpline – 0808 800 5000
Child line – 0800 1111
Newham Social Services – 0203 373 4600
Newham Social Services out of hours emergency – 0208 430 2000
Police Child Protection Team – 0208 721 2527
