1. Policy Statement

Balfour Swimming School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people.

We believe:

• the welfare of the child is paramount

• all children have the right to feel safe, valued, and respected

• safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

• concerns must be taken seriously and acted upon quickly

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, parents, swimmers, and visitors.

 

 2. Legal & Regulatory Framework

This policy is based on:

• Children Act 1989 & 2004

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)

• Keeping Children Safe in Out‑of‑School Settings

• Swim England Wavepower

• UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018

 

 3. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Balfour Swimming School appoints a Designated Safeguarding Lead responsible for:

• receiving and recording concerns

• contacting statutory agencies when required

• ensuring staff and volunteers follow safeguarding procedures

maintaining safeguarding records securely

DSL Name: [Insert] 

Email: [Insert] 

Deputy DSL: [Insert]

 4. Recognising Abuse

All staff and volunteers must be able to recognise signs of:

• Physical abuse

• Emotional abuse

• Sexual abuse

• Neglect

• Bullying or cyberbullying

• Grooming or inappropriate contact

• Poor practice or boundary violations

Any concern — no matter how small — must be reported.

 

5. Responding to Concerns

If a child is at immediate risk, call 999.

Otherwise:

1. Listen calmly and reassure the child

2. Do not promise confidentiality

3. Record what was said using the child’s own words

4. Report to the DSL immediately

5. Do not investigate yourself

The DSL will decide whether to:

• contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

• contact Children’s Social Care

• contact the Police

• record as a low‑level concern

 

6. Safe Recruitment

All staff and volunteers must:

• complete an application form

• provide references

• undergo an enhanced DBS check

• complete safeguarding training

• agree to follow all policies

No volunteer may work unsupervised until checks are complete.

 

7. Code of Conduct

All adults must:

• maintain professional boundaries

• avoid 1‑to‑1 unsupervised situations

• use appropriate language and behaviour

• never use physical punishment

• avoid favouritism or inappropriate contact

• follow pool rules and safety procedures

See the Swimming Code of Conduct for full details.

 

8. Supervision & Ratios

We follow Swim England recommended ratios:

• Beginners: 1:6

• Improvers: 1:8

• Advanced: 1:10

Additional supervision is provided for:

• SEND swimmers

• deep‑water sessions

• busy pool environments

Children must never be left unattended.

 

 9. Changing Room Guidance

• Staff must not enter changing rooms unless necessary for safety

• Two adults should enter together where possible

• No photography or filming

• Parents remain responsible for children under 8 unless agreed otherwise

• Bullying or inappropriate behaviour must be reported immediately

 

10. Photography & Social Media

Photography is strictly controlled.

• No photos or videos without written consent

• No posting images of other children

• No live streaming

• Staff may only use school‑approved devices

• Images must be stored securely and deleted when no longer needed

See the Photography & Social Media Policy.

 

11. Online Safety

• No private messaging between staff and children

• Communications must go through parents

• Official accounts only for school communication

• Any online concerns must be reported to the DSL

 

12. Medical Needs & First Aid

• Parents must disclose medical conditions

• Emergency medication must be accessible

• A first‑aid trained adult must be present

• Incidents must be recorded and reported

 

13. Whistleblowing

All staff and volunteers have a duty to report:

• unsafe practice

• misconduct

• safeguarding concerns about adults

• concerns about the DSL

Reports can be made to:

• the Directors

• the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

• Swim England Safeguarding Team

Whistleblowers are protected under UK law.

 

 

 14. Record Keeping

Safeguarding records must be:

• factual and accurate

• stored securely

• kept separate from general records

• retained in line with statutory guidance

 

15. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed:

• annually

• after any safeguarding incident

• when legislation or guidance changes