Child Protection Policy

---

RCT Performance Swim Squad team will:

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

RCT Performance Swim Squad team's Core Values:

1. The welfare of children is the Club's primary concern.
2. 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.
3. It is every member’s responsibility to report any concerns about abuse, to the child protection officer (see below). It is the Swimming Club's responsibility to liaise with Swim Wales and act where necessary after taking advice from Swim Wales, social and/or the Police. It is the responsibility of the Swim Wales and these agencies to conduct, where appropriate, a joint investigation.
4. All incidents of alleged poor practice, misconduct and abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
5. The Club has a responsibility to maintain confidentiality in all cases involving child welfare in line with current legislation.
6. All personal data will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Our Child Protection Policy and Procedures are regularly monitored and reviewed.  We will adopt changes in accordance with new legislation and guidance on the welfare of children from Swim Wales. 

​We will immediately review our Policy and Procedures following any issues or concerns raised about the welfare of children within the Swimming Squad.  We will also complete a review in all other circumstances at least annually.

 If You Have Any Concerns Who You Should Contact:

RCT Performance Swim Squad’s Child Welfare Officers are Lauren Joll and Scott Roberts.

Their role as Child Welfare Officers for RCT Performance Swim Squad is to provide advice and guidance to all members and Officers of the Squad in all matters relating to the safety and welfare of children. It also involves liaising with the various Governing Bodies and Agencies, relating to all matters of Child Protection & Welfare.

Lauren and Scott should be your first point of contact if you have any questions regarding child welfare or you wish to report your concerns.

• ​They can be contacted in complete confidence via email   [email protected] ​ ​​

Other Useful Numbers & Contacts:

1. Swim Wales, Wales National Pool, Sketty Lane, Swansea, SA2 8QG, Tel – 01792 513636
2. Childline UK, Post 111, London N1 OBR, Tel - 0800 1111
3. NSPCC Child Protection National Helpline 0808 800 5000,
4. Welsh Helpline 0800 100 2524 (Mon-Fri 10am-6.00pm)
5. Asian Helpline 0800 096 7719
6. Deaf User’s Textphone 0800 056 0686
7. NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (Wales), Unit 1, Cowbridge Court, Cowbridge Road West, Cardiff, CF5 5BS, Tel: 029209838085
8. SwimLine, A helpline associated with the NSPCC, specifically for swimmers, Tel: 0808 100 4001