Welfare report

The Club Welfare Officer role is accurately reflected within the job description, which can be viewed on the BASC website. The role is one that endeavours to oversee all aspects of welfare for the club and its members. The role is to implement good practice and child protection policies and therefore helps to provide a safe environment for members.

Liaising with club members and poolside staff, who have identified safety issues or concerns, has been an important part of the role. It continues to be well supported by the Committee members and at County level. BASC follows The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures contained within WavePower 2012-2015, available for viewing on the ASA website. There are some interesting sections for example: changing room etiquette, anti-bullying, social media and photography, all topics we are asked about throughout the year.

The role of Club Welfare Officer also includes supporting all members of the club, volunteers and swimmers and the reporting of incidents out of the pool (i.e. dry side). The role has been shared by Mrs Julie Rose and Mr James O’Malley. This has allowed a more accessible and visible welfare officer presence on poolside and ensures that there is on-going transparency to the role, which aims to be impartial and independent of the committee.

Throughout the year the process of applying for Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosures for all adult volunteers of the club, and those swimmers assisting poolside staff, has been and is an ongoing process. Training for all volunteers, in the areas of ‘Safeguarding and Protecting Children’, also remains necessary. The majority of volunteers have recently attended this training, which is valid for 3

years. For those who have yet to attend a course, or theirs is due for renewal, please contact welfare@busheyasc.org. It will be required as soon as possible in 2013.

Finally we would like thank all members who support the Club Welfare Officers. All ideas and suggestions are welcome. This will ensure we continue to promote and maintain the safety of the swimmers, and also support the volunteers who provide a safe environment for all members of BASC.

The Club Welfare Officer can be contacted:

by email welfare@busheyasc.org
direct when on poolside
via the BASC Feedback Form (available to download from the policies section on the website) complete and pass to any committee member who will forward it to either Welfare Officers, The Chair or Poolside Manager.

Alternatively

Any Committee member can be approached with a concern if the CWO is unavailable; the information will be forwarded as soon as is possible.

All information will be dealt with in confidence, on a need to know basis.

All members have a responsibility to raise concerns about safety or child

protection issues that may affect any club member, volunteer or swimmer.

Julie Rose and James O’Malley

Welfare Officers

2012 AGM Reports and Annual Achievement Awards

Welfare Report