Child Protection Policy

Introduction

• The welfare of the children and vulnerable adults and other adults is paramount. • All children and vulnerable adults and other adults whatever culture gender language racial origin religious beliefs and or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse. • All suspicions and allegations of abuse and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately • All staff working for The Atlantis swim school LTD has a responsibility to report their concerns to their immediate superior or the appropriate designated person child protection officer • Staff are not trained to deal with situations of abuse or to decide if abuse has occurred Management and Staff structure • Elaine Tanner F1STC Managing Director • David Tanner FISTC Technical Director • Julie Evans FISTC Office and overall Manager • David Archer AISTC Child protection officer (Designated person) • Susan Foster AISTC Pool Manager (Epsom College Sundays) • The Atlantis swim school LTD do not have volunteers working for them Policy statement • The Atlantis swim school LTD has a duty of care to safeguard all children and vulnerable adults and other adults involved with The Atlantis swim school LTD from harm .All children and vulnerable adults and other adults have the right to protection and the needs of the disabled children and adults who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account. The Atlantis swim school LTD will ensure the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults and other adults involved with the Atlantis swim school LTD through the child protection guidelines adopted by The Atlantis swim school LTD. • A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989)

Policy aims

• The aim of the The Atlantis swim school LTD Child Protection Policy is to promote good practice: • Providing children and vulnerable adults and other adults with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of The Atlantis swim school LTD. • Allow all staff to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues.

Promoting good practice

Child abuse particularly sexual abuse, Can arouse strong emotions in those facing such situations. It is important to understand these feelings and not allow them to interfere with your judgment about the appropriate action to take Abuse can occur within many situations including the home, school and the sporting environment. Some individuals will actively seek employment or voluntary work with children and vulnerable adults in order to harm them. A swimming teacher helper or receptionist will have regular contact with children and vulnerable adults and is an important link in identifying cases where they need protection. All suspicious cases of poor practice should be reported following the guidelines in this document. When a child or vulnerable adult enrols in swimming lessons with The Atlantis Swim School LTD having been subjected to abuse outside the environment, sport can pay a crucial role in improving the Childs or vulnerable adults self esteem. In such instances The Atlantis Swim School’s LTD management and staff must work with the appropriate agencies to ensure the child or vulnerable adult receives the required support.

Good practice guidelines

All personnel should be encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behaviour in order to promote children and vulnerable adults welfare and reduce the likelihood of allegations being made. The following are common sense examples of how to create a positive culture and climate. Good practice means • Always working in an open environment (e.g. avoiding private or unobserved situations and encourage open communication with no secrets) • Treating all children and vulnerable adults equally and with respect and dignity. • Always putting the welfare of each child and young person first, before winning medals or achieving goals. • Maintaining a safe and appropriate distance with pupils (e.g. It is not appropriate for staff or management to have an intimate relationship with a child or vulnerable adult or to go into a locked room with them). • Building a balanced relationships based on mutual trust which teaching staff and parents or carers to share in the decision making process. • Making the lessons fun, enjoyable and promoting fare play. • Ensuring that if any form of manual /physical support is required, it should be provided openly and according to guidelines by the ASA code of conduct. Care is needed, as it is difficult to maintain hand positions when a pupil is constantly moving children and vulnerable adults and their parents/carers should always be consulted and there agreement gained. • Keeping up to date with technical skills, qualifications and insurance in aquatic disciplines. • Involving parents/carers whenever possible. For example encouraging them to take responsibility for their children and vulnerable adults in the changing rooms. If groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms always ensure parents teaching staff work in pairs. And don’t take children or vulnerable adults into the toilets get their parents/carers to take them • Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism. • Recognising the developmental needs of children and vulnerable adults and not pushing them beyond their capabilities when testing for badges and awards. They should be achieved stress free. • Getting permission from the parents/carers in writing to act in loco, if the need arises to administer first aid and or other medical treatment. • Keeping a written record of any injury that occurs along with details of any treatment given

Practices to be avoided

The following should be avoided except in emergencies. If cases arise where these situations are unavoidable it should be with the full knowledge and consent of the pool manager or the directors of the company or the designated person child protection officer or the child or vulnerable adults parents/carers. For example a child or vulnerable adult sustains an injury and needs to go to hospital, or a parent/carer fails to pick a child up at the end of the lesson: • Avoid spending time alone with a child vulnerable adult away from others • Avoid taking or dropping of a child vulnerable adult to their lessons in your car unaccompanied by their parents/carers.

Practices never to be sanctioned

The following practices should never be sanctioned. You never: • Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay. • Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching. • Allow children or vulnerable adults to use inappropriate language unchallenged. • Make sexually suggestive comments to a child or vulnerable adult, even in fun. • Reduce a child or vulnerable adult to tears as a form of control. • Fail to act upon and record any allegations made by a child or vulnerable adult. • Do things of a personal nature for a child or vulnerable adult that they can do for themselves • Never take a child or vulnerable to the toilet. Get their parent/carer to take them. N. B as we are a swim school the parents or carers should always be there so it is not necessary to do things of a personal nature.

Incidents that must be reported and recorded

If any of the following occur you should report this immediately to your immediate superior or the appropriate designated person child protection officer and record the incident. You should also ensure the parents/carers of the child or vulnerable adult are informed. • If you accidentally hurt a pupil. • If he/she seems distressed in any manner. • If a pupil appears to be sexually aroused by your actions. • If a pupil misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done.

The use of photographic or filming equipment at our swimming venues

There is evidence that some people have used swimming and other activities involving children to take inappropriate photographs and video footage children and vulnerable adults in vulnerable positions. All staff are instructed to vigilant and report any such activity to your immediate superior or the appropriate designated person. As we are a swim school and we don’t have events such as swimming galas we do not allow any photography at any of our venues.

Videoing as a teaching aid

It is not acceptable to take videos of pupils having their swimming lessons as a teaching aid in our swim school. However if you wish to by pre-recorded videos from the A.S.A they are acceptable.

Recruitment and training of staff

The Atlantis swim school LTD recognises that anyone may have the potential to harm or abuse children and vulnerable adults in some way and that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure unsuitable people are prevented from working in our swim school. • All staff who apply for a position with in The Atlantis swim school shall have current CRB checks and be asked at their interview if the any criminal convictions • To provide references from other employers • Provide two forms of I.D. such as a passport or driving licence with a photograph • They should have up to date qualifications. • If they have not already done so to go on a child protection coarse • Relevant personnel to go on first aid and or life saving course • All staff to on seminars to upgrade their qualifications

Responding to allegations or suspicions

It is not the responsibility of anyone working for the Atlantis swim school LTD to decide whether or not child abuse taken place. However there is a responsibility to act on any concern by reporting these to immediate superior or designated person child protection officer or the appropriate authorities. The Atlantis swim school LTD will ensure all staff that will be fully supported and protect anyone who in good faith reports his or her concerns that a colleague is, or may be, abusing a child or vulnerable adult. Where there is a complaint against member of staff there may be three types of investigation • A criminal investigation • A child protection investigation • A disciplinary or misconduct investigation. The results of the police and child protection investigation may well influence and inform the disciplinary investigation, but all available information will be used to reach a decision.

Actions if there are concerns

1 Concerns about poor practice

• If the following considerations, the allegation is clearly about poor practice the child protection officer designated person child protection officer will deal with it as misconduct issue. • If the allegation is about poor practice by The Atlantis swim school LTD’s child protection officer or the matter has been handled inadequately and concerns remain, it should be reported to the A S A’s officer who will decide how to deal with the allegations and whether or not to initiate disciplinary proceedings

2 Concerns about suspected abuse

• Any suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult has been abused by a member of staff should be reported to your immediate superior and the to the appropriate person the child protection officer who will take such steps as considered necessary to ensure the safety of the child or vulnerable adult in question and any other child or vulnerable adult who may be at risk. • The appropriate person the child protection officer will refer the allegation to the social services department who may involve the police. • The parents or carers of the child or vulnerable adult will be contacted as soon possible following advise from the social services department. • The Atlantis swim school LTD’s appropriate person the child protection officer should notify the A S A’s child officer who in turn will inform the A S A’s child protection officer who will deal with any media enquires. • If The Atlantis swim school LTD’s appropriate person the child protection officer is the subject of the suspicion/allegation the report must be made to the appropriate manager or in his/ her absence the A S A’s child protection officer who will refer the allegation to the social services

Confidentiality

Every effort should be made to ensure that Confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information should be handled and disseminated on a need to know bases only. This includes the following people. • Elaine Tanner F1STC Managing Director. • David Tanner FISTC Technical Director. • Julie Evans FISTC Office and overall Manager. • David Archer AISTC Child protection officer (Designated person). • Susan Foster AISTC Pool Manager (Epsom College Sundays). • The parents/carers of the person who is alleged to have been abused. • The person making the allegation. • Social services /Police • Seek social services advise on who should approach the alleged abuser (or the parents of the alleged abuser if he/she is a child). Information should be stored in a secure place with limited access to designated people, in line with data protection laws (e.g. that information is accurate and regularly updated, relevant and secure.)

Internal Enquiries and suspensions

• The Atlantis swim school LTD’s Child protection officer (Designated person) will make an immediate decision about whether any individual accused of abuse should be temporarily suspended pending further police and social services inquiries • Irrespective of the findings of the social services or police inquiries The Atlantis swim school LTD’s directors and relevant management and Child protection officer (Designated person) will asses all individual cases to decide whether a member of staff can be reinstated and how this can be sensitively handled. This may be a difficult decision; particularly where there is insufficient evidence to up hold any action by the police. In such cases, the The Atlantis swim school LTD’s directors and relevant management and Child protection officer (Designated person) must reach a decision based on the available information which could suggest that on a balance of probability it is more likely than not that the allegation is true. The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult should remain of paramount importance throughout.

Support to deal with the aftermath of abuse

• Consideration should be given to the kind of support that children and vulnerable adults parents/carers and members of staff may need .Use of help lines, support groups and open meetings will maintain an open culture and help the healing process. The British Association for Counselling Directory is available From The British Association for counselling, 1 Regent Place Rugby CV21 2PJ Tel: 01788 550 899 Fax 01788 562 189 e-mail bac@bacp.co.uk Internet web site http://www.bacp.co.uk. • Consideration should be given to what kind of support may be appropriate for the alleged perpetrator

Allegations of previous abuse

Allegations of abuse may be made some time after the event (e.g. by an adult who was abused as a child or by a member of staff who is still working with children or vulnerable adults). Where such an allegation is made The Atlantis swim LTD school should follow the procedures as detailed above and report the matter to the to the social services or the police. This is because other children or vulnerable adults either who attend swimming lessons with The Atlantis swim school LTD or children or vulnerable who don’t attend swimming lessons with The Atlantis swim school LTD may be at risk from this person. Anyone who has previous criminal convictions for offences related to abuse is automatically excluded from working with children and vulnerable adults. This is reinforced by the details of the Protection of Children Act 1999.

Action if bullying is suspected

If bullying is suspected the same procedure should be followed as set out in ’Responding to suspicions or allegations’ above. Action to help the victim and prevent bullying with in The Atlantis swim school LTD • Take all signs of bullying very seriously. • Encourage all children and vulnerable adults to speak and share their concerns (It is believed that up to 12 children per year commit suicide as a result of bullying, So if anyone talks about or threatens suicide, seek professional help immediately). Help the victim to speak out and tell the person in charge of the session or someone else in authority. Create an open environment. • Investigate all allegations and take action to ensure the victim is safe. Speak with the victim and the bully (ies) separately. • Reassure the victim that you can be trusted and will help them , although you cannot promise to tell no one else. • Keep records of what is said (what happened, by whom, when). • Report any concerns to the Child protection officer (Designated person) or the managers or the directors (wherever is occurring).

Action towards the bully(ies):

• Talk with the bully (ies) explain the situation and try to get the bully (ies) to understand the consequences of their behaviour. Seek an apology to the victim(s) • Inform the bully’s parents. • Insist on a return of borrowed items and that the bully(ies) compensate the victim(s). • Provide support for the victim’s teacher. • Impose sanctions as necessary. • Encourage and support the bully (ies) to change their behaviour. • Hold meetings with the families to report on progress. • Inform all appropriate staff of action taken. • Keep a written record of action taken. • Most ‘ low-level incidents will be dealt with at the time by the teaching staff. However if the bullying is severe (e.g.) a serious assault or if it persists despite efforts to deal with it, incidents should be referred to the Child protection officer (Designated person) as in “ responding to suspicions or allegations” above.

3 Concerns out side the environment of the Atlantis swim school LTD (e.g.) a parent or carer

• Report your concerns to the Child protection officer (Designated person) who should contact social services or the police as soon as possible See 4 below for information social services or the police will need • IF Child protection officer (Designated person) is not available the person being told of or discovering the abuse should contact the social services or the police immediately • Social services and the Child protection officer (Designated person) will decide how to involve the parents/carers. • The Child protection officer (Designated person) should report the incident to The A S A. The A S A should ascertain whether or not the person /s involved in the incident have a position with The Atlantis swim school LTD and act accordingly. • Maintain confidentially on a need to know basis only. • See 4 below regarding information needed for social services.

4 Information for social services or the police about suspected abuse

To ensure that information is as helpful as possible a detailed record should always be made at the time of the disclosure/concern, which should include the following • The child or vulnerable adults age and date of birth • The child or vulnerable adults home address and telephone number • Whether or not the person making the report is expressing their own concerns or those of someone else. • The nature of the allegation. Include dates, times, any special factors and other relevant information. • Make a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay. • A description of any visible bruising or other injuries. Also any indirect signs, such as behavioural changes. • Details of witnesses to the incidents. • The child or vulnerable adult’s account, if it can be given of what happened and how any bruising or other injuries occurred. • Have the parents/carers been contacted? • If so what has been said? • Has anyone else been contacted? If so record details. • If the child or vulnerable adult was not the person who reported the incident, has the child or vulnerable adult been spoken to? If so what was said • Has anyone been alleged to be the abuser? Record details. • Where possible referral to the police or social services should confirm in writing within 24 hours and the name of the contact who took the referral should be recorded. If you are worried about sharing concerns about abuse with a senior colleague, you can contact social services or the police direct, or the NSPCC Child protection help line on 0800 800 5000 or Child line on 0800 1111.