Merrow Swim School

Safeguarding Policy

Statement of Purpose

Merrow Swim School works with children and families as part of its activities. These include the provision of swimming teaching/water safety. The purpose of this policy is to provide customers with the company’s safeguarding policy.

*Please note, throughout the guidance the term child / children are used, this also refers and incudes young people and vulnerable adults. 

Safeguarding Principles

Merrow Swim School ensures that every employee recruited:

• Receives safeguarding training appropriate to their role

• Are subject, dependent on their role, to the appropriate DBS check

• Agrees to adhere to the company safeguarding policy.

All employees/freelancers agree to:

• Act appropriately and professionally in the presence of children

• Maintain a child centred approach ensuring the child’s welfare is paramount

• Remain alert and aware of possible safeguarding risks to children

• Ensure all participants whatever their age, ability, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity are protected from abuse

• Take all suspicious and allegations of abuse seriously; and respond swiftly and appropriately

• Challenge any inappropriate or harmful behaviour

• Not take inappropriate risks

• Understand the duty to report concerns in line with the child protection procedures

• Recognise the statutory responsibility and commit to working together with the police, local authority safeguarding team and the NSPCC to ensure the welfare of children

• Agree to adhere to the legislation on Position of Trust.

Recognition of Abuse

Employees/Freelancers will adhere to https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/spotting-signs-child-abuse/ for the latest guidance.

Types of Abuse

Employees/Freelancers will adhere to https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/ for the latest guidance.

Please note, Companies and employees should adhere to home country policies, procedures, guidance and legislation in which they operator. 

Disclosure from a Child

Employees/Freelancers will adhere to https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/what-to-do-child-reveals-abuse/ for the latest guidance.

Concerns regarding a Child

• If the child is in immediate harm the appropriate emergency services must be contacted

• If the child is not in immediate danger, contact the company Designated Safeguarding Officer, in writing, within 24 hours

• The Designated Safeguarding Officer will determine whether:

  • The incident needs reporting to the local authorities

  • The incident can be dealt with by speaking to the parents / guardians 

  • The concern is a poor practice issue rather than a safeguarding concern and the company Insert Behavioural Policy / Code of Practice / Disciplinary Policy will be adhered to.

Allegations of Abuse against Employees

• Any suspicion that a child has been abused by an employee must be reported to the company Designated Safeguarding Officer who will take such steps as they consider necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and any other child who may be at risk

• The company Designated Safeguarding Officer will refer the allegation to the LADO with immediate effect

• There may be circumstances where allegations are about poor practice rather than abuse. If, following consideration the allegation is clearly about poor practice, then the company should deal with this as a misconduct issue.

Safe use of Changing Rooms

Dunadry Hotel adheres to the Child Protection in Sport Unit’s ‘Safe use of Changing Facilities’ guidelines. 

Non-Recent Historic Abuse

Merrow Swim School follows the advice of the NSPCC in respect of non-recent historic abuse.

Reporting Incidents / Disclosures

Please report incidents/concerns to Safeguarding Officer Caroline McManus merrowswim@gmail.com

Telephon