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Child Protection Policy

 

City of Lincoln Pentaqua swimming club complies with the ASA Child Protection Policy & Procedures. National Standards have been developed by the NSPCC that aim to promote best practice so that a safe environment for children & young people is achieved.

The principles behind these Standards are:

Children & young people have a right to enjoy sport, free from all forms of abuse and exploitation.

All children & young people have equal rights to protection from harm.

Everybody has a responsibility to support the care & protection of children.

Sporting organisations have a duty of care to children and young people who take part in sport.

To this end Pentaqua acknowledge their duty of care towards all our members & are committed to practice which protects children from harm.

All staff & volunteers have been checked via the Criminals Record Bureau (CRB) & staff and volunteers in this organisation are required to accept & 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 & good practice with children, parents, staff & volunteers.

We acknowledge our responsibility towards sharing information about concerns with agencies that need to know & involving parents & 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 & information sharing.

Should any swimmer or parent/carer/guardian, or any other person wish to raise any issue related to child welfare please contact Anne Aitchison- Welfare Officer at 01522 871735

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.

In accordance with ASA recommendations, Pentaqua has a Welfare Officer. In fact, in recognising potential sensitivities, the Welfare Officer has the knowledge of ASA policy & procedure to advise anyone with a child welfare concern. They will always be involved in any concern raised within the club, unless they are in some way implicated in the concern. The roles of the welfare officer are highlighted within the Wavepower document

As a member, official or parent involved in City of Lincoln Pentaqua SC you should follow the ASA guidelines as outlined below: The Wavepower procedure Flowchart will give guidance on the appropriate action to be taken if there is concern regarding a child's welfare.

1. If the child or young person is in immediate danger or has been physically injured, ensure they are safe & contact the police or social services.

2.If the child is not in immediate danger but you have concerns, either:

• 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

 

• 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 & action.

 

3. 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 the club's Welfare Officer). Please note that it is very important that you or your Welfare Rep should, in every case send a completed referral form to the ASA Legal Department to advise them of your concern & to whom you have reported it. Address the letter to:

ASA Legal Affairs Department,
Harold Fern House,
Derby Square,
Loughborough,
LE11 5AL.

4. Should you be approached by a child/member wishing to advise of a potential child protection issue and who also requests confidentiality, you should immediately advise the informant that your ability to provide confidentiality will be entirely dependant on the nature of the information they are about to provide.

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 & further action is required, you will receive a copy of the ASA protocol document. This outlines what possible actions will be taken & what further contact will be made with the referrer.

 

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