Safeguarding

Welfare OfficerSafeguarding StandardsReporting Safeguarding Concerns

Welfare Officer

The role of the LNSC Welfare Officer is essential in providing a first point of contact for children, parents and adults within the club who have a child safeguarding or welfare concern.

LNSC Welfare Officer :

 Louise Hirrell
Contact : welfare@lnsc.org.uk
About : My name is Louise and I am Leicester Neptune Swimming Club’s Welfare Officer, as well as a mum of a senior swimmer.

My job is to make sure that all our swimmers feel happy and safe. I am here to talk to if you have any concerns about anything whilst a member of Leicester Neptune.

Please feel free to contact me at welfare@lnsc.org.uk

What does the Welfare Officer do?

  • To assist the club in implementing Wavepower, Swim England’s Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures document
  • To be the first point of contact for club staff, volunteers, young people, and parents for any issues concerning child welfare, poor practice or potential or alleged abuse
  • To ensure that all incidents are reported correctly and referred, in accordance with Wavepower
  • To act independently and in the best interests of a child at the club, putting their needs above that of others and the club itself
  • To ensure that all relevant club members, volunteers and staff have an up to date DBS Enhanced Disclosure (updated every three years) and the opportunity to access appropriate child safeguarding training
  • To ensure that Codes of Conduct are in place for club staff, volunteers, coaches, competitors and parents
  • To ensure confidentiality is maintained and information is only shared on a ‘need to know’ basis

Safeguarding Standards

What should parents expect?

As a parent or guardian of Leicester Neptune Swimming Club  we will do our utmost to ensure that

  • Your child is safeguarded during their time with us
  • All people with responsibility for your child will:
    • be suitable qualified and trained
    • have been safely recruited by the club or organisation and that recruitment procedure includes a DBS check
  • Any concerns about your child’s welfare will be listened to and responded to

What happens when I raise a concern?

The following three stages of action will be taken for anyone who may have a concern or anyone who is made aware of a concern about a child member’s well being:

Stage 1 – React to the concern, disclosure, suspicion or allegation in a timely and appropriate manner
Stage 2 – Record the relevant information
Stage 3 – Report the information to the appropriate person(s) and/or Organisation(s), subject to the above consent conditions being met

The Club Welfare Officer does not have to decide whether a concern or incident amounts to abuse or a failure to safeguard a child member, however the Club Welfare Officer will refer the concern to the Swim England Safeguarding and Welfare Team so that they can make that correct decision.  This ensures consistency of approach and impartiality.

The below charts show the process for reporting child concerns. The process for reporting adult concerns is very similar. The full version of Wavepower can be accessed/downloaded here.

 

Club Welfare Officer Process

 

Swim England Process (Steps 1 – 13)

Reporting Safeguard Concerns

Wavepower, from Swim England, says that anyone who has a concern that a child or adult may be at risk of harm, or being harmed, should refer it to the safeguarding team.

Referring a concern can be done via your Club Welfare Officer, County or Regional Welfare Officer, or Nationally via Swim England

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