Child Protection Policy

1. Policy Statement

• Pioneer ‘79 Swimming Club has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in the club from harm. All children have the right to protection, and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable, must be taken into account.
  
• Pioneer ‘79 Swimming Club will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in the club, through adherence to the ASA Child Protection in Swimming Procedures and Guidelines.
  
• The welfare of children is the responsibility of everyone involved in the club, ie administrator, club official, coach, teacher, parent, friend and the children themselves. Everyone is involved and can help.
  
• A child is defined as a person under eighteen years of age (Children Act 1989).

2. Policy Aims

• The aim of Pioneer ‘79 Swimming Club Child Protection Policy is to promote good practice:

• Providing children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of the club.
• Allowing all staff and volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues.

• The underlying principles with respect to child protection are that:

• The child’s welfare is the first consideration.
• All children regardless of age, any disability they might have, gender, racial origin, religious belief and sexual orientation have a right to be protected from abuse.
• Children and young people must be treated with dignity and respect.

3. The Club

• Pioneer ‘79 Amateur Swimming Club acknowledges that children and young people have the right to be treated with respect and that their concerns should be listened to and acted upon.
  
• Members who make allegations of abuse will be supported by the club, and that all information received will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
  
• An environment that is safe, secure and free from threat for all members is to be promoted by the club.
  
• In order to achieve the highest standards in child welfare Pioneer ‘79 Amateur Swimming club will
  
• ensure:

• There is awareness of all the issues that may lead to children being harmed.
• Safe recruiting procedures for volunteers.
• Codes of behaviour for volunteers and all poolside staff.
• Codes of behaviour for children/young people.
• Codes of behaviour for parents.
• Availability of relevant information.
• Regular review and monitoring of child protection procedures by the management committee.
• That all children are treated equally.

4. Child Protection Team

Child Welfare Officer Alison Worrall 01254 398413
Child Welfare Officer Mel Lang 07709 922255
Child Welfare Officer Peter Doyle 01254 398710

5. Helplines

Other useful numbers if you wish to report concerns of abuse:
NSPCC 0800 800 5000
Childline 0800 1111
Swimline 0808 100 4001 or 0800 731 7466

This policy applies to all those involved in Pioneer ‘79 Amateur Swimming Club; coaches, teachers, lifeguards, poolside helpers, administrators, officials, volunteers, parents, children and young people.

A copy of the full policy, ASA Child Protection in Swimming Procedures and Guidelines, is available from the Club Secretary or can be obtained from www.britishswimming.org