Extracted from the ASA Child Protection Procedures in Swimming

The ASA Child Protection Working Group in conjunction with the NSPCC produced these procedures and guidelines The membership of the ASA Child Protection Working Group includes representatives from clubs with experience in child welfare; the ASA Legal Affairs and Customer Services Departments; together with the Swim Line volunteers who are members of swimming clubs who work in child welfare as a profession; and the NSPCC. The ASA has an ongoing commitment to the safety and protection of children in swimming. The Child Protection Working Group, the establishment of Swim Line, the publication of this booklet together with other initiatives described in here is practical examples of this commitment.

In the ASA we believe that children’s welfare is everyone’s responsibility, particularly when it comes to protecting children from abuse. Everyone in swimming - administrator, club official, coach, parent, friend, children themselves, everyone - can help. Abuse can occur anywhere there are children - at home, at school, in the park, at the club. Sadly, there are some people who will seek to be where children are simply in order to abuse them. We believe that everyone in the ASA has a part to play in looking after the children with whom we are working. This is both a moral and arguably, a legal obligation. The Children Act 1989 indicates that anyone who has the care of a child should “do what is reasonable in all the circumstances for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the child’s welfare.” These child protection procedures stem from the following principles: The child’s welfare is the first consideration All children, regardless of age, any disability they may have, gender, racial origin, religious belief and sexual identity have a right to be protected from abuse. We know that if the procedures are to help to protect children, everyone involved in swimming needs to see and discuss them. We are, therefore, asking club secretaries and welfare officers to make sure that they are widely distributed and discussed at club executive and general meetings. Finally, please remember the ASA will support anyone who, in good faith, reports his or her concerns that a child is at risk of, or may actually be, being abused.

Farnham Swimming Club comply and follow the guideline provided by the ASA, if anyone has any concerns or questions related to Child Protection they should contact Carol Gibbons, the Farnham Swimming Club Child Protection Officer.