As Child Welfare Officer for the Abingdon Vale Swim Club I feel that I should make you all aware of how or what to do if you feel that the welfare of a child is at risk.

Firstly if you have any concerns about a child, no matter how trivial you feel it may be, you should report your concerns to me poolside or via email at welfareofficer@avsc.co.uk

If you feel unable to do this for any reason you can contact either ASA Swimline or the NSPCC Helpline.

If you are a child who needs someone to talk to about anything no matter what it is; you can talk to me at anytime poolside or via email at welfareofficer@avsc.co.uk or you can contact either ASA Swimline or the NSPCC Helpline.

All information received by myself or either of the help lines is confidential and will only be passed on to other parties if a child is at risk and needs help.

Please refer to our child protection policy and anti-bullying policy .

AVSC Welfare Officer

Abingdon Vale Swimming Club has adopted and fully endorses the ASA Child Protection Policy as detailed in Child Welfare in Swimming – Procedures and Guidelines published April 2004. If you would like to view this publication please contact a committee member.

The above child protection procedures stem from the following principles:

♦ The child’s welfare is the first consideration.
♦ All children regardless of age, any disability, gender, racial origin, religious belief and sexual identity have the right to enjoy sport free from all forms of abuse or sexual exploitation.
♦ The ASA and AVSC have a responsibility for the welfare of children and young people who take part in our sport.
♦ The ASA have a responsibility to maintain confidentiality in all cases involving child protection in line with the current legislation.
♦ The ASA and AVSC Club will not tolerate poor practice in dealing with child welfare.

At AVSC we seek to provide a safe environment for all our members to enjoy our sport. All Coaching Staff and Team Managers are registered with the ASA. The ASA, as part of updating of records, conduct CRB checks on all existing registered helpers. It is now policy that new helpers are automatically asked to complete a CRB form on registering.

If you have any concerns regarding child protection then please contact in the first instance the Club Welfare Officer or one of the help lines below.

Amateur Swimming Association Legal Affairs Tel: 01509 221350
Swimline Tel: 0808 100 4001

Policy Statement
At Abingdon Vale Swimming Club we are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all our members so they can swim in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at this club, and if it does occur swimmers and parents should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the club welfare officer, the chair or any committee member.

What is Bullying?
Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:
♦ Emotional – being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and/or physically), sending hurtful text messages, tormenting (e.g. hiding goggles/floats, threatening gestures).
♦ Physical – pushing, kicking, hitting, punching, or any use of violence.
♦ Racist – racial taunts, graffiti, gestures.
♦ Sexual – unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments.
♦ Homophobic – because of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality.
♦ Verbal – name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing.

Why is it important to respond to bullying?
Bullying hurts and no one deserves to be a victim of bullying in any form. Everybody in our club has a right to be treated with respect, and we have a responsibility to respond quickly and effectively to deal with bullying.

Signs and Symptoms
Adults should be aware of the following, as they may be an indication that a child is being bullied and should be investigated:
♦ Says he/she is being bullied
♦ Is unwilling to go to club sessions
♦ Becomes withdrawn, anxious or lacking in confidence
♦ Feels ill before training sessions
♦ Comes home with clothes torn or equipment damaged
♦ Has possessions ‘go missing’ AB_Policy version 1.0 January 2009
♦ Asks for money, or starts stealing money (to pay bully)
♦ Has unexplained cuts or bruises
♦ Is frightened to say what is wrong
♦ Gives improbable excuses for any of the above.

In extreme cases:
♦ Starts stammering
♦ Cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
♦ Becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
♦ Is bullying other children or siblings
♦ Stops eating
♦ Attempts or threatens suicide or runs away.

It is important to note that these signs and symptoms may indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and investigated.

Objectives of Abingdon Vale Swimming Club Anti-Bullying Policy
♦ All committee members, coaches, parents and swimmers should have an understanding of what bullying is.
♦ All committee members, teaching and coaching staff should know what the club policy on bullying is, and follow it when bullying is reported.
♦ All parents and swimmers should know what the club policy on bullying is, and what they should do if bullying arises.
♦ AVSC takes bullying seriously. All swimmers and parents should be assured that they would be supported when bullying is reported.
♦ AVSC will not tolerate bullying in any form.

Procedures
1. Report bullying incidents to the club welfare officer, or a member of the committee/coaching staff, or to Swimline.
2. In serious cases of bullying, the incidents will be referred to the ASA for advice, in line with the Child Protection Policy of AVSC and the ASA.
3. Parents will be informed and asked to come to a meeting to discuss the problem.
4. If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted.
5. The bullying behaviour, or threats of bullying, will be investigated in line with AVSC and the ASA Child Protection Policy, and the bullying stopped quickly.
6. An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour.
7. If mediation fails and the bullying is seen to continue, AVSC will initiate disciplinary action under the club constitution.