Child Protection Policy

Policy Statement

Rushden Swimming Club (RSC) has a duty of care to safeguard all children from harm who are involved in the Swimming Club’s activities. All children have a right to protection, and the Club follows the procedures and guidelines as produced by the ASA Child Protection Working Group in conjunction with the NSPCC.

The ASA has an ongoing commitment to the safety and protection of children in swimming.

To read the complete ASA Child Protection Policy visit www.britishswimming.org  

A CHILD IS DEFINED AS A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18 (The Children Act 1989).

Policy Aims

The aim of the Rushden 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 Rushden Swimming Club.
  • Allow all staff/volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues.
  • Appoint a Child Welfare Officer

Good practice

Always working in an open environment (e.g. Avoiding private or unobserved situations and encouraging open communication with no secrets).

  • Treating all young people equally, and with respect and dignity.
  • Always putting the welfare of each young person first, before winning and achieving.
  • Making sport fun, enjoyable and promoting fair play.
  • Involving parents / carers wherever possible. If groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms always make sure that Club officials and parents work in a group of a minimum of 2 adults.
  • Ensuring that if mixed teams are taken away, they should always be accompanied by an appropriate number of male/female Club officials or parents.
  • Giving constructive and enthusiastic feedback rather than negative criticism.
  • 　Securing parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis, if the need arises to administer emergency first aid and / or other medical treatment. If a child sustains an injury and needs to go to hospital, it will be done with the full knowledge and consent of the child’s parents or member of the committee, or in their absence …. A responsible adult.
  • Keeping a written record of any injury that occurs along with details of any treatment given.
  • Requesting parental consent if the Club Officials are required to transport young people.
  • Parents are responsible to notify the Club of any changes in circumstances but a reminder will be issued annually when membership renewals are issued.

Child Welfare Officer

The Child Welfare Officer Is Mrs Angie Channell.

This person will, in conjunction with the Executive Committee, ensure that:

  • All persons working with children within Rushden Swimming Club are registered with the ASA and CRB checks will be carried out in accordance with ASA guidelines.
  • Any allegations shall be recorded and dealt with in confidence, with the necessary parties informed.

Use of photographic / filming equipment

  • In accordance with ASA ruling; no photography or videoing may be carried out without prior permission and the necessary details put on file in the Club register.
  • Parental permission for any filming/videoing of Club members will be sought on the Club Membership/ Renewal forms.
  • Any filming / videoing of Club members will only be undertaken by Club Officials and used as coaching aids for training purposes.
  • Videos shall be either erased or stored securely
  • Mobile telephones are included as photographic equipment.
  • ASA forbid the use of mobile phones during galas and training sessions.

Parental responsibilities

  • It is the responsibility of parents / guardians to ensure that swimmers attend teaching / land training sessions with the correct attire and equipment necessary for their particular standard.
  • Parents must inform the Club of any relevant illness or injury and the relevant medication on the Membership application / renewal form.
  • The Club need to be informed of any changes in circumstances
  • Contact telephone number (inc mobile numbers) should be given to the Club in case of an emergency situation, and the Club must advised of any changes.
  • The Club are only responsible for the safety and welfare of the children whilst they are at a particular training session. Parents / Guardians are responsible for the safety and welfare of their children prior to the start of training and for the collection of the children following a training session.
  • If a child is unable to be collected because of an emergency situation, parental instruction must be given to a Club official.

RSC’s Welfare Officer is Angie Channell. She is your first point of contact for any queries or concerns about child protection issues. She can be contacted at angiechannell@hotmail.com or on the Monday training session.

Adopted by the Committee of Rushden Swimming Club

3rd April 2008