Welfare at Verulam Swimming Club
Wavepower is Swim England’s safeguarding policy and procedures document.
Its aim is to ensure everyone is able to enjoy our sports and aquatic activity in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment in line with current legislation, regulations and guidance.
All Swim England affiliated clubs and organisations must adopt Wavepower and the current version can be viewed on this link
Wavepower | Safeguarding for Swim England clubs
The role of the welfare officer
All affiliated swimming clubs are required to have a welfare officer. The welfare officer is not related to, or in a close relationship with, either the chair / owner /proprietor, or a coach/swimming teacher of the organisation.
Welfare Officers act as the primary contact for safeguarding concerns, protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults from harm, poor practice, and abuse. They manage and report issues, implement safeguarding procedures i.e. Swim England Wavepower, ensure compliance with policies, and promote a positive, child-centred environment. Welfare Officers also advise clubs on welfare matters, link with their National Governing body i.e. Swim England, and ensure proper training and checks (e.g. DBS) are in place for staff and volunteers.
If you have a welfare concern please email the team at their shared inbox [email protected]
The email is checked on a daily basis, and we aim to acknowledge your email within 48 hours. If your concern is more urgent please read below for how raise a concern.
Meet the Welfare Team at Verulam
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Rachel Thompson
Welfare Officer
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Jenna Harrington
Deputy Welfare Officer
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Carl Littlechild
Deputy Welfare Officer
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Raising a concern
How can I raise a safeguarding concern?
If you have a concern that a child or adult may be at risk of harm, or being harmed, you should, without delay, contact:
- Your organisation or club welfare officer (via email or in person at training)
- Your county or regional welfare officer (see bottom of the page)
- Swim England National Safeguarding Team (see below)
Swim England Child Safeguarding Contacts
Referring a concern should in the first instance be done via your Club Welfare Officer. However, if you prefer, the Swim England Safeguarding team can be contacted via the online form How To Raise A Concern or Complaint | Swim England Safeguarding or by calling them on 01509 640700 (Option 1 for Swim England and then Option 5 for Safeguarding). Please leave a message if the team is unavailable and they will respond as soon as possible.
Urgent concerns
If the concern is urgent and you cannot contact your Welfare Officer or the Swim England safeguarding team, you can call the NSPCC child protection helpline on 0808 800 5000.
If it is an emergency because a child is at immediate risk, then call the police or children’s social care (if appropriate) in your area i.e. Social Services (Hertfordshire Children’s Services) on 0300 123 4043.
If a child or adult is in immediate danger contact the police on 999. For non-emergencies 101.
Remember to take the name and contact details of the person you have spoken to, plus the incident / referral reference number (if applicable) so you have a record of the advice they give.
Then report this to the club welfare officer and the Swim England safeguarding team the next working day via email or phone.
Other Welfare Contacts
You may need contact people for matters outside Verulam. The below welfare officers can help!
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National Safeguarding and Other Swim England Contacts
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