Swim England Child Safeguarding Policy Statement
Dive London is committed to providing an environment in which all children participating in its activities have a safe and positive experience.
In order to achieve this, Dive London agrees to:
1. Adopt and implement the policies and procedures in Wavepower in full.
2. Recognise that all children participating in the organisation (regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability) have a right to enjoy their involvement in aquatics in a safe environment and be protected from harm.
3. Ensure that all individuals who work with children in the organisation, whether paid or voluntary, provide a positive, safe and enjoyable experience for children.
4. Appoint a welfare officer with the necessary skills and training as outlined by Swim England who will take the lead in dealing with all child safeguarding matters raised within the organisation.
5. Ensure that the welfare officer’s name and contact details are known to all staff, members and parents of members.
6. Ensure the welfare officer is available to discuss issues of concern on matters of safeguarding and deal with such concerns appropriately and in line with Wavepower.
7. Ensure that all individuals who work with children in the organisation have undertaken the appropriate training, have had the relevant DBS checks, and adhere to the required practices for safeguarding children as outlined in Wavepower and the Regulations of our sports.
8. Ensure that all individuals who will be working or will work with children in the organisation have been recruited in accordance with the Safe Recruitment Policy contained in Wavepower.
9. Ensure that all individuals who work with children in the organisation have the appropriate training, and have been provided, understand and adhere to the requirements of the code of conduct and Wavepower.
10. Provide all members of the organisation and parents/guardians of members with the opportunity to raise concerns in relation to a child’s welfare in a safe and confidential manner.
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 information relating to child safeguarding matters are held in a safe and secure manner.Where necessary, Dive London Committee will also link with Everyone Active’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures when addressing any concern that may have arisen at its Venue – the London Aquatics Centre.
The committee are committed to on-going child protection training for all coaches and volunteers.
All coaches and volunteers are subject to a full enhances DBS check before commencement of work with DLAC and are required to undergo yearly safeguarding training
Abuse of Trust: it is unacceptable for those in a position of trust to engage in any behaviour which might allow a sexual relationship to develop for as long as the relationship of trust continues. Under no circumstances should a member of the committee carry out his or her own investigation into the allegation or suspicion of abuse. The person in receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse will do the following:
Concerns must be reported as soon as possible to the Welfare Officer who is nominated by the committee to act on their behalf in dealing with the allegation or suspicion of neglect or abuse
If you have a concern about the welfare of any child or the behaviour of an adult towards any child you should, without delay, contact:
· your organisation or club welfare officer
· your county or regional welfare officer (see contact details below)
· Swim England National Child Safeguarding Team (see contact details below)
Dive London Welfare Officer: Anelise Van Wyk-Beer Email: [email protected]
If a child has a physical injury or symptoms of neglect, the Welfare Officer/Secretary will:
1. Contact social services for advice in case of deliberate injury, if concerned about a child’s safety or if a child is afraid to return home.
2. Will not tell the parents or carers unless advised to do so having contacted social services.
3. Seek medical help if needed urgently, informing the doctor of any suspicions.
4. For lesser concerns (e.g. poor parenting), encourage parent/carer to seek help, but not if this places the child at risk of injury.
5. Where the parent/carer is unwilling to seek help, offer to accompany them. In cases of real concern, if they still fail to act, contact social services direct for advice.
If a child has a physical injury or symptoms of neglect, the Welfare Officer/Secretary will:
1. Contact social services for advice in case of deliberate injury, if concerned about a child’s safety or if a child is afraid to return home.
2. Will not tell the parents or carers unless advised to do so having contacted social services.
3. Seek medical help if needed urgently, informing the doctor of any suspicions.
4. For lesser concerns (e.g. poor parenting), encourage parent/carer to seek help, but not if this places the child at risk of injury.
5. Where the parent/carer is unwilling to seek help, offer to accompany them. In cases of real concern, if they still fail to act, contact social services direct for advice.
6. Seek and follow advice by Swim England (who will confirm their advice in writing) if unsure whether or not to refer a case to social services.
In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse, the Welfare Officer/Secretary will:
1. Contact the Social Services Department Duty Social Worker for children and families of Police Child Protection Team direct. They will NOT speak to the parent/carer or anyone else.
2. Seek and follow the advice given by Swim England if, for any reason they are unsure whether or not to contact Social Services/Police. Swim England will confirm its advice in writing for future reference.
In the event where it is felt there is an immediate risk of harm, please contact the Police and inform the Club Welfare Officer and Leisure Centre Management immediately.
Contact details:
· Safeguarding and Welfare Team 01509 640 700 Option 1 for Swim England and then Option 3 for Safeguarding. [email protected]
· Regional Safeguarding Team Contact Details: [email protected]
· For more information please use this link: https://www.swimming.org/london/contacts/ NSPCC Child protection helpline – 0808 800 5000
· Child line – 0800 1111
· Newham Social Services – 0203 373 4600
· Newham Social Services out of hours emergency – 0208 430 2000
· Police Child Protection Team – 0208 721 2527
Safeguarding Information for Parents: https://www.swimming.org/swimengland/safeguarding-information-parents/
Wavepower Document https://www.swimming.org/swimengland/wavepower-child-safeguarding-for-clubs/
