WELFARE POLICY FOR CLUB COACHES, TEACHERS and VOLUNTEERS

As with our swimmers, Trowbridge ASC believes that the welfare of its coaches, teachers and volunteers is of utmost importance and following recent updated Child Protection Training, the Club believes that Good Practice is as follows:

Coaches/Teachers:

As a Coach or Teacher, you hold a powerful and unique leadership role, carrying considerable authority and status. With this in mind, in order to protect yourselves from any allegations of malpractice, it is essential:

Coaches and Teachers always work in an open environment avoiding private or unobserved situations and encouraging open communication.

If groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms or anywhere else, always ensure teachers, coaches, volunteers or parents who have the necessary clearance work in pairs.

Coaches and Teachers refrain from coaching/teaching any swimmer with whom they are involved with in ‘an appropriate adult relationship’ in order to protect themselves from any false allegations of inappropriate use of authority or any allegations from other persons due to actions that may have been misinterpreted.

Should a Coach or Teacher be in a position where, for a valid reason, they are the only teacher on poolside, the training set should be written on the board as normal, but the teacher should refrain from teaching the lane in which their ‘partner’ is swimming. This lane will need to train independently whilst the Coach/Teacher is free to teach the remaining lanes.

Coaches and Teachers do not transport swimmers in their own vehicles

If any form of manual/physical support is required, it should be provided openly and according to guidelines provided by the Coach/Teacher’s Education Programme/ASA. Children and young people should  be consulted and their agreement given for any physical/manual support.  Some parents are becoming increasingly sensitive about manual support and their views should always be carefully considered.

Coaches and Teachers keep up to date with technical skills, qualifications and insurance in swimming.

Lifeguards

Lifeguards are professionally qualified, highly trained, responsible individuals. They are however, team members trained in accident prevention, rescue and first aid. In order to protect yourselves from any allegations of malpractice, it is essential to work within the following guidelines:

Teamwork - Lifeguards on duty must support each other and be supported by other members of the club staff, trained lifeguards or otherwise. Teamwork is essential.

Rescues/Emergencies – Should any emergency situation arise the Lifeguard Team will take overall control and responsibility and will coordinate assistance from other members of staff. If any form of manual/physical support or rescue is required, it should be provided openly and according to guidelines in the RLSS UK training programme.

First Aid – During any form of casualty handling lifeguards will make other team members aware that they are dealing with a first aid issue. If access to the first aid room is required lifeguards will make sure that another member of the team is present. Lifeguards should make every effort to avoid working with a casualty in a situation which is unobserved.

Lifeguard Training – The National Pool Lifeguard Training Programme is regularly reviewed therefore it is essential for lifeguards to undertake training and keep up to date with changes to technical skills and practices.

Poolside Helpers

Poolside helpers are often young volunteers who are on poolside to assist the coaches/teachers in teaching swimming techniques. The following guidelines have been put in place to support the poolside helpers.

Poolside helpers form part of the poolside team. They will always have a qualified coach/teacher to refer to whilst teaching. The qualified coach/teacher will have overall responsibility for the poolside helpers.

If it is required for poolside helpers to accompany any swimmer i.e. to a first aid room or changing room this should be undertaken in pairs.

 The coach/teacher with overall responsibility for the training session should avoid placing the poolside helpers in situations where they are unobserved.