The Club Welfare Officers are Venessa Sixbery and Nyle Howard and can be contacted by e-mail at welfare@chesterlestreetasc.co.uk.
The Welfare Officer is a point of contact for children and adults within the club who have a safeguarding or welfare concern. They are also responsible for ensuring Chester-le-Street ASC is adopting and implementing WavePower, the Swim England Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
Chester-le-Street ASC is a SwimMark Essential Club.
Wavepower
Swim England is committed to creating a culture in which makes everyone feel protected, included and welcomed – and the safety, welfare and wellbeing of all Members is ingrained throughout affiliated clubs and Organisations.
Its aim is to safeguard both children and adults in line with current legislation, regulations and guidance and it must be adopted by all Swim England affiliated clubs and Organisations.
The management for safeguarding is not the sole responsibility of any one person at club, county, regional or national level so Wavepower provides comprehensive information in one place for everyone involved in aquatics.
How do I raise a safeguarding or welfare concern?
If you have a concern, or have been told, about possible abuse of someone else, poor practice or wider welfare issues please contact the club welfare officer on welfare@chesterlestreetasc.co.uk
If you think someone is in immediate danger please contact emergency services on 999.
The club welfare officer will look into all reports, they may refer the report to the county, regional or Swim England welfare team for support and guidance.
Please do contact the club welfare email in the first instance, however it is important to note that anyone with a concern relating to Members in aquatics can contact the Swim England Safeguarding and Welfare Team for advice and guidance.
If you are experiencing, at risk of, or have experienced harm, or you are concerned that a child Member is experiencing, at risk of, or has experienced harm, please contact the Safeguarding and Welfare Team for advice on 01509 640700 (Option 1 for Swim England and then Option 3 for Safeguarding) or at safeguarding@swimming.org. The Safeguarding and Welfare Team will be able to provide advice even if you are not making a referral or are unsure whether to do so.
The online referral forms for both children and adults are available at:
Further information and details on how Swim England will deal with a Safeguarding and Welfare referral please read Wavepower.
How can I raise concerns regarding coaching techniques and practices?
The first step for any coaching concerns with Chester-le-Street ASC is to arrange a time to speak directly to the coach, or the head of the coaching staff.
If you have tried resolving your issue with Chester-le-Street ASC are still in dispute, you can raise the issue with Swim England by emailing signposting@swimming.org.
Your query will then be referred to an England Talent Team Leader for your sport, who will provide expertise and advice. The Swim England Coaches Referral Protocol outlines the steps we will take when a concern is raised with regards to coaching techniques.
If you have a question about coaching disputes or wish to raise the issue with Swim England, please contact signposting@swimming.org putting as much detail as possible about your dispute.
When should I raise a formal complaint?
If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of an internal club process there is an option to raise a formal complaint with Swim England over a dispute at Chester-le-Street ASC or breach of Code of Conduct.
This decision should be taken after full discussion with a Swim England. The formal complaint form can be requested by emailing signposting@swimming.org.
There is a charge of £50 for registering a formal complaint with Swim England.
How can I resolve a medical concern?
If you or your child have a medical condition or concern that is affecting your or their ability to take part in aquatics, we recommend you first make all attempts to discuss this with your coaches at your club.
If there are concerns over whether it is safe for you or your child to be participating in aquatics sessions, Chester-le-Street ASC can receive advice under the Medical Protocol.
You can find some updates resources and further information to improve inclusion within swimming by clicking here.
Swimline
Who is SwimLine for?
This service is provided for anyone involved in swimming, including children and young people who believe that the welfare of a child is at risk. This could be neglect or abuse, bullying or fear of someone, or anything that is worrying you and you don’t know who to discuss this with.
Who will take the calls and what happens?
When you ring you will hear a message. This will explain that if you wish to speak to someone urgently – or it would not be convenient or safe for someone to call you back – you can press a number to transfer straight to the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline. This will be answered by trained and experienced counsellors who will advise you and will act to protect children.
If there is no problem with someone calling back and you wish to speak to someone who understands swimming, you will need to leave your telephone number and a time convenient for the Swim England Safeguarding Team to ring you back. If there is an issue which causes concern Swim England will act to protect the child.
Other things you should know
SwimLine calls are free and do not appear on itemised bills unless the call is made from a mobile phone. SwimLine does not use the 1471 code or any other call return or call display facilities. If you leave a message we aim to ring back during the next working day. If you phone over the weekend we will aim to contact you on Monday.
You can call SwimLine on 0808 100 4001.
You can call the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline direct on 0808 800 5000. This line is open for 24 hours each day and calls are free of charge.
NSPCC – Child Protection in Sport Unit: thecpsu.org.uk
Stop Bullying The club has an anti-bullying policy.
Swim England are committed to preventing bullying in your swimming club but if you feel you or someone you know is being bullied you should:
- Tell your club Welfare Officer (details above), Coach or another adult you trust.
- Tell a parent or carer.
- Ring Swimline: 0808 100 4001
- Ring Childline: 0800 1111
More information about preventing bullying in sport can be found on NSPCC Child Protection in Sport
Equality and Diversity
You can read about Swim England’s Equality and Diversity Policies for disabled and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) swimmers on their Equality and Diversity Site. You can find some updates resources and further information to improve inclusion within swimming by clicking here. The following are the nine groups protected under the Equality Act 2010,
- Age
- Disability
- Gender Reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion and belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
Members should be aware that they face disciplinary action at club and/or ASA level for bullying or discrimination against a person with one of the protected characteristics from the Equality Act 2010 listed above. Disciplinary action may entail suspension, dismissal or permanent expulsion.
You can read further guides on increasing awareness and participation and reducing bullying for both;