Safeguarding and Welfare

Our Welfare Officer role  is vacant - please email us if you are interested in taking on this role: budesharks@gmail.com 

If you have any worries concerning a child please follow the advice below. Alternatively, more information and support can be found here: https://www.swimwest.org.uk/safeguarding-welfare

Read our safeguarding policy here

(currently under review)

We have fully adopted Swim England's policies and procedures Wavepower. Read more about Wavepower here

• Safeguarding leaflet for children

• Safeguarding leaflet for teens

A free training course for parents/carers: https://www.swimming.org/ios/course-information/swim-england-foundation-safeguarding-course-adults/ 

Use this flow chart if you have a potential mental health problem Mental Health Referral Flow Chart 

Codes of Conduct

All members of our club and parents/carers of swimmers under 18 years of age are expected to follow our codes of conduct. 

• For athletes 18 and over

• For athletes 18 and under

• For parents and guardians

• For coaches and teaches

• For members, committee members, officials and volunteers

• Code of Ethics

Coaching Consultation Form:

Swim England have developed a Coaching Consultation Form to assist clubs and those participating in aquatics who have additional needs. This form has been created to help ensure you or the person you care for receives the best possible aquatics experience. It has been written primarily with consideration for autistic club members, however, we recognise it may be useful for many other individuals. Please click here to download the Coaching Consultation Form.

Certificate of Exemption:

This has been created for members who have a disability or long term health condition that means they would normally be disqualified under FINA rules. Examples of this would include taping for an insulin pump, being unable to perform breaststroke legs symmetrically due to hip displacement, or needing a lap counter over a certain distance. Please click here for club and swimmer guidance and to download the Certificate of Exemption.

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000

24/7 ChildLine 0800 1111 

Childline:

Childline is free, private and confidential and exists to help and support anyone under 19 in the UK with any issues they’re going through. Children and young people can talk about anything with trained counsellors to support them any time of the day or night. You can talk to Childline on the phone, by email or through 1-2-1 counsellor chat. Call Childline on 0800 1111 or go to www.childline.org.uk for advice and support.

Mind:

Mind is a charity providing help and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem and actively campaigns to raise awareness, improve services and promote understanding. Further information and links and numbers to helplines can be found on Mind’s website.