Child Protection Policy

Policy Statement

Holywell Swimming Club has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in 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.

Holywell Swimming Club will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in the club, through adherence to the WASA Child Protection in Swimming Procedures and Guidelines.

The welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility that is, administrator, club official, coach, parent, friend, and children themselves. Everyone can help.

A child is defined as a person under the age 18 (Children Act 1989)

Policy Aims

The aim of Holywell 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 Holywell Swimming Club;
  • Allow 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 have, gender, racial origin, religious belief and sexual identity have a right to be protected from abuse.
  • Children and young people must be treated with integrity and respect.

The Club

Acknowledges that young people have the right to be treated with respect and for their concerns to be listened to and acted upon.

Will support members who make allegations of abuse, and that any information is treated confidentially.

Aims to create an environment that is safe, secure and free from threat for all members.

Standards set by Holywell Swimming Club will be achieved through ensuring:

  • Awareness of the issues which lead to children being harmed.
  • Safe recruiting procedures for volunteers.
  • Codes of behaviour for volunteers/coaches.
  • Codes of behaviour for children/young people.
  • Codes of behaviour for parents.
  • Availability of information.
  • Regular review and monitoring of child protection procedures by the executive committee.
  • That all children are treated equally

The policy applies to all those involved at Holywell Swimming Club, coaches, administrators, officials, volunteers, parents and children and young people.

Copies of the full policy and detailed guidelines on reporting accidents/incidents away trips and use of photography are available from the designated person or any club official.

Welfare Officers

Name of Club Officers:  Magali Lovell-Pascal     The Welfare officers can be reached by emailing welfare@holywellswimmingclub.co.uk

To speak to the safeguarding team at Swim Wales you can email: welfare@swimming.org or ring 01792 513636 or 07834946470.

Helplines

Other useful numbers if you wish to report concerns of abuse:

  • Flintshire Childrens Services 01352 701000
    • NSPCC on 0800 800 5000
    • Childline on 0800 1111

If you think someone is in immediate danger, dial 999.

As a club, we take our responsibilities for Child Welfare very seriously. The Club is committed to complying with the provisions of the Swim Wales Scheme Y Plant, as embodied by the documents published below.

If as a swimmer you have any concerns about anything you see or hear, do not hesitate to raise it with your parent/guardian or officers or coaches of the club. Likewise, parents should feel free to discuss any concerns they have with either committee members or coaching staff as appropriate.

Click the link to view Swim Wales new information on safeguarding Swim Wales Safe Guarding procedures 2018

Permanent link to this article: https://www.holywellswimmingclub.co.uk/child-protection-policy/