FOREWORD

WASC believes that the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility particularly when it comes to protecting children from abuse.  Everyone in swimming – club official, coach, parent, friend, children themselves, everyone – can help.

Abuse can occur anywhere there are children – at home, at school, in the park, at the club.  Sadly, there are some people who will seek to be where children are simply in order to abuse them.  We believe that everyone within WASC has a part to play in looking after the children with whom we are working.  This is both a moral and arguably a legal obligation.  The Children's Act 1989 indicates that everyone who has the care of children should “do what is reasonable in all circumstances for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the child’s welfare”.

This child protection policy stems from the following principles: -

¨      The child’s welfare is the first consideration

¨      All children, regardless of age, any disability they have, gender, racial origin, religious belief and sexual identity have a right to be protected from abuse.

WASC will support anyone who, in good faith, reports his or her concerns that a child is at risk of, or may actually be, being abused.

WASC – WELFARE OFFICER