Welfare and Equity

Child Protection Policy

As part of our Swim 21 accreditation the club reviews its Child Protection Policy in line with ASA Guidelines and Good Practice on a regular basis. The principles we abide by are detailed on the British Swimming website

Responsibilities

The City Of Cambridge Swimming Club will:

  • Promote the health and welfare of children by providing opportunities for them to take part in swimming safely.
  • Respect and promote the rights, wishes and feelings of children.
  • Promote and implement appropriate procedures to safeguard the well being of children and protect them from abuse.
  • Recruit, train, support and supervise its members, employees, volunteers and coaches to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect children from abuse and to minimise risk to themselves.
  • Require members, volunteers and employees to adopt and abide by this Child Protection Policy and these procedures.
  • Respond to any allegations of misconduct or abuse of a child in line with this Policy and these Procedures as well as implementing, where appropriate, the relevant disciplinary and appeals procedures.
  • Review and evaluate this Policy and these Procedures on a regular basis.

Principles

The welfare of children is the Club's primary concern.

  • All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, socio-economic status, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse.
  • It is everyone's responsibility to report any concerns about abuse, to the child welfare officer of the club. It is the Swimming Club's responsibility to liaise with the ASA and act where necessary after taking advice from the ASA and Social Services Department and/or Police. It is the responsibility of the ASA and these agencies to conduct, where appropriate, a joint investigation.
  • All incidents of alleged poor practice, misconduct and abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
  • All personal data will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
  • The Swimming Club has a responsibility to maintain confidentiality in all cases involving child welfare in line with current legislation.

Review

This Policy and these Procedures will be regularly monitored and reviewed:

  • In accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the welfare of children or any changes within the Swimming Club, or the ASA.
  • Following any issues or concerns raised about the welfare of children within the Swimming Club.
  • In all other circumstances, at least annually.

Date of last review: March 2010

Who to Contact

Any Child Protection or Welfare issues should be addressed to Sue Burton, the club Welfare Officer.

Sue has a dedicated mobile phone number 07599 089 477 which swimmers or their parents can call and leave a message to discuss any child welfare concerns or issues.

Equity Policy

Equity is enshrined in the constitution of the City of Cambridge Swimming Club and the Club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its activities and development.

Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.

City of Cambridge Swimming Club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexuality, social / economic status or political persuasion. City of Cambridge Swimming Club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of discrimination, intimidation, harassment and abuse.

All members of City of Cambridge Swimming Club have a responsibility to challenge discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity. City of Cambridge Swimming Club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, in accordance with the ASA Code of Ethics, guidelines for internal disputes and judicial laws.

Who to Contact

Any Equity issues should be brought to the attention of the Club Chairman

Other Useful Numbers & Contacts