Welfare Statement

Seaclose Swimming Club is committed to a club environment in which all children and young people participating in its activities have a safe and positive experience.

In order to achieve this the club agrees to:

1. Adopt and implement the Swim England Wave Power Policy in full – https://www.swimming.org/swimengland/wavepower-child-safeguarding-for-clubs/

2. Recognise that all children participating in the club (regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability) have a right to enjoy their involvement in swimming in a safe environment and be protected from harm.

3. Ensure that those individuals, who work with children in the club, whether paid or voluntary, provide a positive, safe and enjoyable experience for children.

4. Appoint a Club Welfare Officer with the necessary skills and training as outlined by the Swim England who will take the lead in dealing with all child safeguarding matters raised within the club.

5. Ensure that the Club Welfare Officers name and contact details are known to all staff, club members and parents of members.

6. The Welfare Officer to be available to discuss issues of concern on matters of safeguarding and deal with such concerns appropriately and in line with Wavepower.

7. Ensure all those persons who work with children in the club have undertaken the appropriate training and relevant DBS checks and adhere to the required practices for safeguarding children as outlined in Wavepower.

8. Ensure that all individuals who will be working or will work with children in the club have been recruited in accordance with the Swim England Safe Recruitment Policy.

9. Ensure that all individuals who work with children in the club have the appropriate training and codes of conduct and good practice to follow in line with the guidance in Wavepower.

10. Provide all club members and parents of members with the opportunity to raise concerns in a safe and confidential manner if they have a concern about a child’s welfare.

11. Ensure that all child safeguarding matters, whether they be concerns about child welfare or protection, are dealt with appropriately in accordance with the guidance for reporting and action in Wavepower.

12. Ensure that confidentiality is maintained appropriately and in line with the best interests of the child.

13. Ensure all papers relating to child safeguarding matters are held in a safe and secure manner.

Our volunteer Club Welfare Officer is Michelle Martin who can be contacted at welfare@seaclosesc.co.uk