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WELFARE OF YOUNG SWIMMERS

As a club we have mandatory instructions from our governing body, the Amateur Swimming Association, to ensure the safety and well being of our swimmers. This includes:

1. Registration with the ASA and police CRB checking of all adults in the club who have one to one access to our swimmers under the age of 18yrs. This includes teachers, coaches, team managers, stewards and other volunteers.
2. All clubs have to appoint a Welfare Officer to ensure all the ASA procedures are in place. Bristol Central’s Welfare Officer currently is Marion Britton.
3. Child protection issues must be an agenda item of every club General Committee meeting.
4. SWIMLINE – is a telephone helpline for all swimmers, coaches, parents etc., the details of which have to be displayed on the club noticeboard. This can be found at the University Pool. Help and advice can be sought from trained child protection social workers with an understanding of swimming.

Discussions have taken place with representatives from each section of the club concerning child protection issues and general welfare of our swimmers.  You are reminded of the following outcomes:

1. It has been decided that no young swimmers will be allowed to leave a training session early and go to the changing rooms unless their parent or carer is present. The swimmer will be asked to sit on the poolside (with a towel to keep warm) until the end of the session. In the event of illness, and no parent being available, a responsible adult where possible, will accompany the child to the changing room, remain with them until changed and bring them back to the poolside until the child’s parent arrives.
2. It is considered that parents must be responsible for the safety and behaviour of their own children when not in the pool area. This includes the changing rooms and outside areas – Bristol Central do not have staff to steward these areas which are open to the public. It is not desirable for parents to drop children off at the roadside and come back later to pick them up from the pavement outside the pool.
3. It is requested that a parent of young swimmers, or their nominated carer, remains on site throughout the training session. Coaches, teachers and team managers do not have to accept bad behaviour and poor attitude to training. Unfortunately this sometimes becomes a problem when parents are not on site to support them.
4. The Code of Conduct for swimmers is summarised in the Club Handbook and the full version can be seen on the University Pool noticeboard, or is available from the club secretary.
5. There is a Code of Ethics for Teachers and Coaches to ensure good practice by club staff. It can be seen on the ASA website ( – click on useful documents.
6. Bristol Central has produced an Anti-Bullying Policy which all members are expected to read, understand and accept. A copy can be obtained from the club secretary.
7. Bristol Central has a Complaints Procedure in place, which sets out a process for dealing with any complaints by club members.

The Amateur Swimming Association and Bristol Central Swimming Club are doing all they can to ensure the safety and well being of our young swimmers. Good practice and vigilance should be a priority for us all.

Marion Britton

Welfare Officer & Director of Swimming