Colchester Swimming Club take Safeguarding very seriously.

All children and youth have a right to feel safe, cared for and supported at all times and in any context. Safeguarding is everybody's responsibility. Hence, it is our responsibility as Adults in Colchester Swimming Club to ensure that our swimmers and water polo players are respected, protected and enabled to practice their sports regardless of  race, age, ability or religion.

Risks can arise from many different sources and commonly categorized as Physical, Emotional, Sexual abuse, Neglect and Bullying. All children are potentially at risk, but children with disabilities or special educational needs are particularly vulnerable. Research literature in Safeguarding recognises that it is not only Strangers, but also People known to the child, often in close physical proximity, may pose a safeguarding risk. Sadly, a risk to welfare may also occur when a young person harm him or herself, whether consciously or otherwise.

It is important here to mention that I welcome any young person or parent to contact me for advice or support. Other than having the option of speaking with me, I will upload key details of local organisations which are available to offer crisis intervention and family support for all our children, youth and families feeling vulnerable at a particular point in time.  

Safeguarding children is an uncontested priority and of paramount importance to us in Colchester Swimming Club. We therefore ensure that our Swimming Club fosters a safe, inclusive albeit a competitive environment where the coaching staff, volunteers, Committee and parents are expected to promote the children's welfare. This commitment is demonstrable in the requirements that the coaching staff are current, qualified and trained in Safeguarding and related CPD (continuous professional development) events.

It further extends to me, the Club Welfare Officer ensuring I am current and knowledgeable in my practice when carrying out safeguarding duties. I am a qualified social worker, currently registered with Social Work England and the British Association of Social Workers, Lecturer in Social Work and Independent Consultant. In this role, I naturally draw on my extensive specialist knowledge in child protection, fostering and adoption, youth offending and mental health and work closely with the Swim England's Safeguarding Officers and local authority social workers and partnership agencies, where necessary.

To aid understanding and ensure sound welfare principles are upheld, Swim England has introduced Wavepower to safeguard all children and youth in accordance with current legislation, regulations and guidance enforced within any Swim England affiliated organisation. Colchester Swimming Club's safeguarding policies and procedures are based on Wavepower regulations to ensure safeguarding practices and principles are  consistently upheld to ensure the health, safety and well being of all swimmers and waterpolo players in the Club. WavePower 2020/23 is the Swim England Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures manual and replaces all previous ASA Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures documents. Colchester Swimming Club has adopted and implemented Wavepower 2020/23. Not only does compliance with Wavepower ensure child safety, but likewise it promotes a safe, happy and fun aquatic environment where children and youth can learn to swim and develop their skills.

Please see Colchester Swimming Club's Safeguarding Policy for a more detailed account on our position regarding Safeguarding matters.

Any member can contact me here if they have any safeguarding concerns of any nature by clicking here. Mrs Lorena Anderson is the Deputy Welfare Officer dealing with DBS checks primarily.

Best wishes

Dr Carlene Cornish

PhD; British Association for Social Workers; Social Work England registered Social Worker; FHEA; MSocSc (Probation and Correctional Practice); BSocSc (SWK); PGCE QTLS; PQ Child Care; MIFL.

Key agencies providing specialist Safeguarding Advice and Support:

North East essex Health in Mind
https://www.northessexiapt.nhs.uk/north-east-essex

Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Services
https://essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk

Colchester Youth Enquiry Services
https://www.yesyouthenquiryservice.org

Oversight of Out of School Settings (OOSS):

In this section, you are encouraged to read Colchester Swimming Club's Photography Policy in more detail for clarification purposes. In addition, the highlights are:

Parents and young people generally welcome opportunities to celebrate or publicise their involvement and achievements when taking part in sport by photographing children at events. Sports organisations may also want to promote their activities to encourage participation.

The Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) does not advocate the banning of photography or the use of images and videos of children as Children may be identified, contacted and groomed.

The guidance found here will help you understand what is required to protect children and young people from the inappropriate use of their images in resources and media publications, on the internet and elsewhere.

Some of the information contained in the guidance are as follows:

• What are the risks?
• Sports Bodies’ use of photos and videos.
• Photography by Parents and Spectators.
• Mobile phones and cameras in changing rooms.
• Additional Resources (Online and Mobile safety, Photography and sharing images, Sexting etc)

Swim England with the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) operates Swimline.

Swimline was launched over 10 year ago and is a confidential free-phone number provided for anyone involved in aquatics, adults or children, who believe that the welfare of someone under the age of 18 is at risk. This concern could be neglect, abuse, bullying or fear of someone or anything that is worrying you and you don't know who to discuss it with.

ChildPower is the place where you as a young swimmer can make your voice heard. You can talk about anything that matters to you: from the support you get from your coach, who you talk to when you're upset, and who helps you when swimming gets challenging or difficult. 

More information on WavePower can be found on the ASA website.