Policy Statement

Ruthin 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.

Ruthin 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 Ruthin 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 Ruthin Rays 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 Ruthin 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 the Ruthin Rays 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.

Child Protection Officers

Name of Club Officers: Sarah McCoole/Stephen Grant.   The Welfare officers can be reached by emailing sarahmccoole@yahoo.co.uk

Helplines

Other useful numbers if you wish to report concerns of abuse:
• NSPCC on 0800 800 5000
• Childline on 0800 1111
• Swimline on 0808 100 4001 or 0800 731 7466