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. The role aims to be impartial and independent of the committee, and is currently undertaken by Mrs Clare Kirwan. 

Liaising with club members and poolside staff, who have identified welfare 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 Swim England Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures contained within WavePower 2016-2019, available for viewing on the swim England website.  There are some interesting sections for example: changing room etiquette, anti-bullying, social media and responsibility of teachers before and after training, all topics we are asked about throughout the year.

Throughout the year the process of applying to the Disclosure and Barring Service DBS (formally Criminal Records Bureau) disclosures for all adult members of the club, has been and is an ongoing process.  All those involved in teaching, training, instructing, supervising, caring or transporting children or managing people in these categories frequently (one week or more often) or over an intense period (4 or more days in a 30 day period) are all eligible for a DBS check. Officials no longer require a DBS as they are generally not required in their role to talk to young people whilst officiating and if they do it should be in the presence of their coach/poolside helper. 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 as with the DBS. For those who have yet to attend a course please contact welfare@busheyasc.org for details of course providers.

BASC continues to support young volunteers with; teaching opportunities, lifeguarding, and their Duke of Edinburgh Award or GCSE PE requirements.   We are always very appreciative of these young volunteers who find time amongst their studies and swimming to give back some time to the club.  BASC remains committed to supporting them or any other junior members in volunteering which may also include officiating.

I would like to thank all teachers and committee members who support the Club Welfare Officer.  Receiving this support and the feedback from members helps to ensure BASC continues to promote and maintain the welfare of the swimmers and volunteers, and provide a safe, nurturing 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.