Safeguarding Policy

Swim Superb Safeguarding Policy

1. Policy Statement

Swim Superb is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, positive, and inclusive environment for all participants, particularly children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

The welfare of the child is paramount. All Swim Superb staff, contractors, and volunteers share a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults within our care during scheduled lesson times.

2. Purpose of This Policy

This policy aims to:

Protect children and vulnerable adults who access Swim Superb services.
Ensure all staff, parents, carers, and participants understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
Provide clear standards for conduct, safety, and appropriate use of electronic devices.
Clarify the scope of Swim Superb’s duty of care.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all Swim Superb staff, contractors, volunteers, parents, carers, swimmers, and visitors involved in Swim Superb activities.

Swim Superb’s duty of care applies during scheduled lesson times and when swimmers are under the direct supervision of Swim Superb teaching staff.

4. Key Safeguarding Principles

The welfare of the child is paramount.
All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or identity, have the right to protection from harm.
All safeguarding concerns or allegations will be taken seriously and addressed promptly and appropriately.
Swim Superb works in partnership with parents, carers, venues, and relevant external agencies to promote safe practice.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The DSL is responsible for:

Implementing and reviewing this policy.
Acting as the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns.
Liaising with external agencies where required.

Staff and Volunteers. All Swim Superb staff and volunteers:

Must complete appropriate safeguarding training.
Must report concerns immediately to the DSL.
Must follow Swim Superb’s Code of Conduct.
Are responsible for swimmers only during their scheduled lesson time.

Swim Superb staff do not supervise swimmers before or after lessons, or within changing facilities.

Parents and Carers

Parents and carers remain responsible for:

Supervising their child before and after lessons.
Supervising their child in all changing areas and communal spaces.
Ensuring compliance with venue rules and policies.

6. Safe Recruitment

Swim Superb follows safe recruitment procedures to ensure suitability to work with children, including:

Enhanced DBS checks
Reference checks
Interviews and probationary periods
Safeguarding training prior to unsupervised teaching

7. Code of Conduct

All staff and volunteers must:

Treat all children and vulnerable adults with dignity and respect.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
Avoid conduct that could be misinterpreted.
Only use physical contact when necessary for safety or instruction and in line with governing body guidance.
Never abuse, intimidate, bully, or exploit a child.

8. Use of Electronic Devices

To protect privacy and wellbeing:

Staff

May use devices for professional purposes only (e.g. registers or lesson plans).
Must not take photographs or videos without DSL and parental consent.
Personal phone use during sessions is prohibited.

Parents and Spectators

Must follow venue policies regarding photography and recording.
Recording on poolside is prohibited unless expressly authorised.

Swimmers

Must not use devices to photograph or record others.
Misuse may result in removal from sessions.

9. Managing Concerns or Allegations

Any safeguarding concern must be reported immediately to the DSL.

If a child is in immediate danger, emergency services (999) must be contacted first, followed by notification to the DSL.

Concerns may relate to:

Staff conduct
Behaviour of another child or adult
External safeguarding disclosures
Inappropriate device use

All concerns will be recorded and managed in line with safeguarding procedures.

10. Venue Responsibilities & Limitation of Liability

Swim Superb operates within third-party leisure facilities and hired venues. Each venue is responsible for:

The safety and maintenance of the premises
Changing room supervision and policies
General facility health and safety
Compliance with their own safeguarding procedures

Swim Superb must adhere to each venue’s policies and operational rules. Where venue policies differ from Swim Superb procedures, venue policies take precedence.

Swim Superb cannot override or amend venue policies.

Swim Superb shall not be liable for:

Accidents, injuries, or incidents occurring outside of lesson time
Incidents occurring in changing areas or communal spaces
Injuries arising from failure to follow venue rules
Incidents resulting from lack of parental supervision before or after lessons

Liability remains only where injury or loss results directly from proven negligence by a Swim Superb teacher acting within the course of their duties.

11. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or earlier if required due to legislative changes, operational changes, or following a significant incident.