Welfare
Welfare Officer
Laura Ashton Hill
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While it is important for the welfare officer to have a single point of contact, Swim England encourages clubs to have a welfare team of at least two. This allows for holidays to be covered and provides assistance in case there are incidents involving a child of a welfare officer. Laura is accompanied in the role by Natasha Perfect, Katherine Court and Ross Adams. Confidentiality is maintained throughout.
The Role of the Welfare Officer
The welfare officer is there to assist the club in implementing Wavepower, Swim England’s Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures document. Laura is the first point of contact for club staff, volunteers, young people, over 18 swimmers and parents for any issues concerning child welfare, poor practice or potential or alleged abuse. She ensures that all incidents are reported correctly and referred, in accordance with Wavepower. She acts independently and in the best interests of a child at the club, putting their needs above that of others and the club itself.
She ensures that all relevant club members, volunteers and staff have an up to date DBS Enhanced Disclosure and the opportunity to access appropriate child safeguarding training. She ensures that Codes of Conduct are in place for club staff, volunteers, coaches, competitors and parents. She ensures confidentiality is maintained and information is only shared on a ‘need to know’ basis.
Reporting a Welfare Concern
Hackney Anaconda is run by volunteers who also hold permanent jobs and undertake swim club roles in their spare time. Every effort will be made to respond within 48 hours. If you feel you cannot wait this long then you do have further options available to you.
Please review the advice below for further details.
In all emergency situations where you believe a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm and you are unable to contact the club welfare officer then immediate contact should be made with Police, Children’s Social Care, Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), NSPCC Child Protection Helpline or other agencies as appropriate. Take the name and contact details of the person you have spoken to and the incident/referral reference number (if applicable) so you have a record and report this to the club welfare officer as soon as possible.
The Swim England Guide to reporting a child welfare management concern can be read at the link HERE.
All Swim England members will adhere to the policies and guidance set out in the Wavepower document, which can be downloaded via the link below. You can also read the full document on this page below (please refresh the page if it does not load right away). The latest version of this document can be viewed on the Swim England website HERE.
Download the Wavepower 2024 Version 2 Document HERE.
Useful Contacts and Links
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NSPCC Childline - 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk (Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help)
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NSPCC Child Protection Helpline - 0808 800 5000 (24 hours)
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NSPCC Child protection in Sport Unit - 0116 366 5626, email: cpsu@nspcc.org.uk
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MIND - Mind.org.uk - 0300 123 3393
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Young Minds - Youngminds.org.uk 0808 802 5544
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Selfharm UK - selfharm.co.uk
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Harmless - harmless.org.uk
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Kooth - Online Mental Wellbeing Kooth.com
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Samaritans - 116-123, samaritans.org.uk
