Our club takes the welfare of our swimmers extremely seriously and is compliant with Swim England's Wavepower policy for safeguarding and welfare.

Our Welfare Officer, Vicki Hayward, can be regularly seen around the pool on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday evenings; she can also be reached by email at [email protected]. Every effort will be made to respond within 48 hours. Welfare concerns can also be raised with the Regional Welfare Officer or Swim England.

If you believe a child has been harmed or may be at immediate risk of harm, please make immediate contact with an appropriate agency, such as:

• The Police
• Children's Services
• Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
• Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
• NSPCC Child Protection Helpline

Take the name and contact details of the person you have spoken to, plus the incident/referral reference number (if applicable) so you have a record of the advice they give. Then report this to the club welfare officer and the Swim England Safeguarding Team the next working day. The Safeguarding Team are contactable using the following methods - via email at [email protected] or call 01509 640700 (option 1 then option 3) or complete the online referral form.

Help can also be obtained from, amongst others:

NSPCC Childline - 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk (Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help)
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline - 0808 800 5000 (24 hours)
NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit - 0116 366 5626, email: [email protected]
MIND - Mind.org.uk - 0300 123 3393
Young Minds - Youngminds.org.uk 0808 802 5544
Selfharm UK - selfharm.co.uk
Harmless - harmless.org.uk
Kooth - Online Mental Wellbeing Kooth.com
Samaritans - 116-123, samaritans.org.uk