Child Protection Policy

Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport

South Tyneside Swimming Club complies with the ASA Child Protection Policy and Procedures. National Standards have been developed by the NSPCC that aim to promote best practice so that a safe environment for children and young people is achieved. The principles behind these Standards are:

• Children and young people have a right to enjoy sport, free from all forms of abuse and exploitation.
• All children and young people have equal rights to protection from harm.
• Everybody has a responsibility to support the care and protection of children.
• Sporting organisations have a duty of care to children and young people who take part in sport.

To this end South Tyneside Swimming Club acknowledge their Duty of Care towards all our members and are committed to practice which protects children from harm.

All staff and volunteers have been checked via the Criminals Record Bureau.

Staff and volunteers in this organisation are required to accept and recognise their responsibility to develop awareness of the issues that cause children harm. Training in this area is provided and promoted.

We prioritise the sharing of information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers.

We acknowledge our responsibility towards sharing information about concerns with agencies that need to know and involving parents and children appropriately. Any incidents/complaints will be recorded in line with ASA policy. This will be undertaken in accordance with the ASA guidance on confidentiality and information sharing.

Should any swimmer or parent/carer or any other person wish to raise any issue related to child welfare please contact the Club’s Welfare Officer.

Other contacts available are: ASA swim line- 0808 100 4001

NSPCC Help line- 008 800 5000

CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURE

Please remember it is not your responsibility to decide whether a child is being abused, but we are asking you to act on your concerns. It is your responsibility to ensure the concerns raised are passed on appropriately.

Every ASA registered swimming club should have a club welfare officer. This person will have the knowledge of ASA policy and procedure to advise anyone with a child welfare concern. They should always be involved in any concern raised within the club unless they are in some way implicated in the concern.

As a member, official or parent involved in South Tyneside Swimming Club you should follow the guidelines as outlined below:

• If the child or young person is in immediate danger or has been physically injured, ensure they are safe and contact the police or social services.
• If the child is not in immediate danger but you have concerns, either

1. Discuss the concerns with your welfare officer or a club official who will advise you on the correct procedure for referring your concern appropriately, or
2. Ring the swimline number 0800 100 4001 displayed on your notice board. The club welfare officer will be able to inform you on how to refer your concerns to gain appropriate advice and action

• Make a note of what you’ve seen or heard but don’t delay passing on the information. As soon as possible complete the ASA referral form (obtainable from your welfare officer). Please note that it is very important that you or your welfare officer should, in every case send a completed referral form to the ASA Legal Department to advise them of your concern and to whom you have reported it. Address the letter to : ASA Legal Affairs Department, Harold Fern House, Derby Square, Loughborough LE11 5AL

Please remember it is not your responsibility to decide whether a child is being abused but we are asking you to act on your concerns

• When a concern is referred to the ASA and further action is required you will receive a copy of the ASA protocol document. This outlines what possible actions will be taken and what further contact will be made with the referrer.