Good communication makes for good practice. If your club puts in place good systems and provides opportunities for sharing information with children, parents, staff/volunteers, everyone will feel that their input is valued and that their ideas and concerns will be listened to. An ethos of partnership between parents, staff and volunteers will engender mutual trust.

Communications Policy

Clubs should provide contact details, using the club noticeboard or website, for;

• Committee members
• Club Children's Officer
• Designated person

And provide information on:

• Parent rotas
• Club personnel
• Squad selections
• Gala selections
• Media information (photos should not contain U18's named)

Clubs will maintain attendance records and an accident/incident book.

Accident form

For recording allegations or suspicions of abuse, there are two forms. 

One is for use in the Republic of Ireland and can be found on page 58 of Swim Ireland's Safeguarding Children  Policies and Procedures 2010.

The other is for use in N Ireland and it can be downloaded here Report Incident Form

Codes of Conduct forms will be signed on an annual basis and the declaration of compliance, returned by all clubs with their annual membership form, will include compliance with this requirement.  

Clubs will receive specific consent from parents/guardians for away trips/travelling.

Travelling and Away Trip Policy

Medical and Parental Consent Form

It is very important that clubs implement the procedure to receive parental consent forms. It is not sufficient for a club to merely have a procedure listed in their club handbook, the club must ensure that these procedures are complied with.

It is important that general written information on policy and procedures is circulated to everyone connected with your club in a way that is understandable to all, for instance through an information session or by sending out information leaflets or newssheets.

Parents are encouraged to discuss the subject of safeguarding with their children and raise their awareness of situations that might cause concern.  

Reporting Procedures

 Refer to Safeguarding Children Policies & Procedures 2010 

All club personnel, and especially coaches, should be familiar with the procedures for reporting inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour. See:

Basis for Reporting Concerns and Standard Reporting Procedure (page 47)  

and the sample Reporting Form (Appendix 5, page 58)

Requirements for members and their roles and for Child protection training requirements are on page 13