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 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 theCommittee. 

Throughout the year the process of applying for Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosures for all adult members 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 attended this training, which is valid for 3 years. For those who have yet to attend a course please contact welfare@busheyasc.org.  It will be required as soon as possible in 2014.

In addition this year we were able to support some young volunteers within BASC in a joint initiative with Leanne Brace, the East Region Club Development Officer, the ASA and Sports Coach UK, in a three hour course entitled ‘Safe in Sport’.  It is a specifically designed course for 13-17 year olds which aims to prepare them for volunteering roles.  Thank you to Alex, Louis, Eliot, Sam, Sasheen, George, Charlie, Ravi, Tayla, Elizabeth, Lauren, Olivia, Fiona, Briony, Emily and Katherine for undertaking this.  We are very appreciative that the roles of teacher and lifeguard (or both) are now undertaken by 6 of these volunteers.  BASC remains committed to supporting them or any other junior members in volunteering for BASC, which may also include officiating.

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: 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 Officer or Club Secretary or via email welfare@busheyasc.org

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.