Child Protection Safeguarding Policy Statement

Introduction

Atlantis Swimming Club is a competitive swimming club affiliated to the South East Region, Amateur Swimming Association. We offer swimming training and competition for all ages at The Pavilions In The Park, Horsham and Steyning Leisure Centre, both in the Horsham District of West Sussex. Our current membership is 220 swimmers a vast majority under the age of 18. Membership is open to children from the age of 7 regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or religion providing they are able to swim 25 metres in three of the four main strokes effectively.

By the nature of the activity undertaken by Atlantis SC, it is inevitable that various degrees of contact with young people will occur and it is therefore our policy to have in place clear guidelines for safeguarding children and promoting their welfare as well as protecting our employees and other adults in a position of responsibility from potential allegations of abuse. The term ‘employees’ is used to include all club employees and volunteers working on behalf of Atlantis SC.

Atlantis Swimming Club is a competitive swimming club. The aims of the committee and coaching staff of Atlantis Swimming club are to provide a secure, caring environment where the uniqueness of each child is valued and upheld. Within this environment we endeavour to create a relaxed yet orderly climate, which enables the children to take pleasure from their swimming, and pride in their performances, in the full knowledge that talents of all kinds will be recognised and nurtured. Atlantis Swimming Club is an integral part of the community and as such has links between schools, home and other swimming clubs. Parents are encouraged to take an active part in the development and growth of their child during his/her stay with Atlantis. We regard parental co-operation and involvement as essential at all stages of children's development.

Responsibilities

Atlantis Swimming Club will:

Accept the responsibility to implement procedures to provide a duty of care for young people, safeguard their well-being and protect them from abuse through its adherence to the child protection policies and procedures laid down by the Amateur Swimming Association
Recruit, train and supervise its employees to adopt best practise to safeguard and protect young people for abuse and to reduce the likelihood of allegations made against them. This is achieved through attendance at the ASA Child Safeguarding Courses
Require employees and members to adopt and abide by the following:
- Atlantis SC Safeguarding Policy Statement and Procedures
- Atlantis SC Code of Conduct
- Atlantis SC Pool Etiquette
- Atlantis Individual Gala Guidelines
- Atlantis SC Team Gala Guidelines
- Disciplinary Procedure
- Atlantis Policy on Photography
- Normal Operating Procedure for the pool at which training is being conducted
- Emergency Plan for the pool at which training is being conducted
Promote the availability of the Amateur Swimming Association’s child protection phone line “Swimline” which is advertised on the club notice board and web site

Recognition of Abuse

Abuse can occur in four different forms, it can be physical, neglect, emotional or sexual and it can be difficult to identify a situation where abuse may have taken place or could occur. Atlantis SC employees are encouraged to discuss any concerns they may have with regards to the safety of a young person with the Child Welfare Officer, Fiona Morris or in her absence the Club Chairman Andrew Dunlop. Their contact details are:

Fiona Morris, Child Welfare Officer tel 01403 730712

Andrew Dunlop, Chairman tel 01403 710204

Members are encouraged to report any situation where they feel abuse has taken place to Fiona Morris or in her absence Andrew Dunlop who will deal with it in a sensitive manner.

Action by Atlantis

If it is felt that abuse has occurred, or an allegation is made the Atlantis SC will act in accordance with the procedures laid down by the Amateur Swimming Association.

Prevention of Abuse

Atlantis SC recognises that in many cases contact between the employees and the members is ‘direct contact’ in other words the parents are often not present. It further recognises that anyone may have the potential opportunity to abuse young people and therefore all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that unsuitable persons are not allowed to work with young people. These steps include:

Selection checks

With the exception of the Chief Coach post which will be dealt with separately, all employees are the parents/guardians of club members or ex club members. Hence they are known to the club before employment
All employees are required to complete an ASA application form and become a member of the club and the Amateur Swimming Association
All employees are required to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check
Applicants for the post of Chief Coach are required to provide a CV and pass a selection interview conducted by the Chairman, Secretary and President of the club. Agreement to the appointment is to be agreed by the Committee

Training

Upon joining Atlantis SC as an employee a pack shall be provided containing the documents listed above under the heading ‘Responsibilities’ above. All employees are required to familiarise themselves with the content of these documents and to abide by them.

Poolside Risks

Employees will ensure that risks to the safety of swimmers whilst on poolside are contained and kept to a minimum, it should however be noted that once a swimmer leaves poolside to change following a training session or gala he/she is no longer the responsibility of Atlantis SC. Policies and procedures laid down in the documents on Pool Etiquette and Guidelines for Individual and Team Galas should be adhered to together with any rules or guidelines put in place by the operators of the pool.

Coaches should ensure that they operate within the guidelines of the ASA for safety and insurance purposes.

Travelling Away from Base

When competing or training at a base other than the home base employees should ensure that they are familiar with and comply with the relevant ASA Guidelines on taking swimmers away from their normal training base.

Development and Implementation of

Feedback on the effectiveness of the safeguarding policies and procedures is welcome from employees and members alike. This should be addressed to the club Secretary or Child Welfare Officer who will make proposals to change the policies and/or procedures if necessary.

Commitment to Reviewing Policies

The Child Welfare Officer in conjunction with the club Secretary and Committee will review the Atlantis SC Safeguarding Policies at least every three years to ensure its continued applicability and compliance with legislative changes.