CODES OF CONDUCT

Code of Conduct for Officials and Volunteers

1. At all times adhere to the ASA Code of Ethics, Rules and Regulations.
2. At all times adhere to Wavepower Swim England Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.

3. At all times adhere to the Swim England Equality Policy.

4. Adhere fully to the role and job description as outlined by the club and never use that role to gain favour for yourself or any individual swimmer.

5. Consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.

6. Treat all swimmers with respect and dignity, value their worth and treat everyone equally recognising their needs and ability within the context of the sport.

7. Encourage and guide swimmers to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.

8. Continue to seek and maintain your own development in line with your role and complete a Safeguarding Children in Sport course, if appropriate to your role.

9. Treat all information of a personal nature about individual swimmers as confidential, except in circumstances where to do so will allow the child to be placed at risk of harm or continue to be at risk of harm.

10. Encourage all swimmers to obey the spirit of the rules and regulations in and out of the pool.

11. Never encourage or condone swimmers, volunteers, officials or parents to violate the rules of the club or the sport and appropriately report any violations.

12. Observe the authority and the decision of the officials and only question those decisions in the appropriate manner.

13. Treat all competitors and other club teams with respect, whether that is in victory or defeat and encourage all team members and fellow club members to do the same.

14. Refer all concerns of a child safeguarding nature in line with the Wavepower’s procedures

15. Adhere fully to the role and job description as outlined by the club and never use that role to gain
    favour for yourself or any individual member.

16. Consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.

Code of Conduct for Teachers and Coaches

This Code is an extension to Swim England Code of Ethics; both should be followed.

Each Teacher/Coach must:

1. At all times put the well-being, health and safety of members above all considerations including developing performance.
2.  At all times adhere to the ASA Code of Ethics, Rules and Laws.
3. At all times adhere to the ASA and BHSC Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
4.  Consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.
5.  Treat all swimmers with respect and dignity, value their worth and treat everyone equally, recognising their needs and abilities within the context of their sport.
6. Develop an appropriate working relationship with swimmers based on mutual trust and respect.
7. Meet the ASA commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
8. Always place the well-being, health and safety of swimmers above all other consideration including developing performance.
9. Always ensure that all teaching, coaching and competition programmes are appropriate for the age, ability and experience of the individual swimmer.
10. Always identify and meet the needs of the individual swimmer as well the needs of the team/squad.
11. Be fair and equal in team and training squad selection.
12. Never abuse the position as Coach or Teacher  or exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward. In particular, coaches must not use their position to establish or pursue a sexual or improper relationship with an athlete or someone close to them.
13. Encourage and guide swimmers to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.
14.  Continue to seek and maintain their own professional development in all areas in relation to coaching and teaching children.
15. Treat all information of a personal nature about individual swimmers as confidential, except in circumstances where to do so will allow the child to be placed at risk of harm or continue to be at risk of harm.
16. Encourage all swimmers to obey the spirit of the rules and laws both in and out of the pool.
17. Where appropriate, co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sport scientists, doctors, and physiotherapists) in the best interests of the swimmer.
18.  Never encourage or condone swimmers, volunteers, officials or parents to violate the rules of the BHSC or the sport and report any violations appropriately.
19. Observe the authority and the decision of the officials and only question those decisions in the appropriate manner.
20. Treat all competitors and other club teams with respect, whether that is in victory or defeat and encourage all team members and fellow club members to do the same.
21.  Refer all concerns of a child safeguarding nature in line with the club/ASA safeguarding children policy.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

1. The ASA and British Swimming is committed themselves to tackling forms of discrimination and to strive to become inclusive of all those who want to participate in swimming (as competitors, officials, coaches and administrators) irrespective of their race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation and faith and ability.

2. This code of conduct includes the Association’s commitment to address equality, diversity and inclusion in swimming.

To this end the Association will not tolerate:

a) Discrimination on the grounds set out in 1 above.

b) Harassment.

c) Bullying.

d) Abusive or insensitive language.

e) Inappropriate behaviour detrimental to any individuals or groups of individuals.

3. The ASA and British Swimming are governed by UK law and will seek to ensure that its participants are committed to addressing its responsibilities under the sex discrimination Act 1975,Race Relations Act 1976, Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, Equal Pay Act 1970, Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Human Rights Act 1998, Disability Discrimination Act (Amendment)2005 and the Equality Act 2006.

4. Committees, Officials and Volunteers in all aquatic disciplines must address this responsibility to support equality, diversity and inclusion in our sport.

Code of Conduct for Parents and Guardians

The purpose of this document is to establish a minimum standard of behaviour by parents (including carers or another responsible adult) both on and off poolside. In order to maintain the club’s reputation of providing a friendly, safe and disciplined environment for everyone’s wellbeing, all parents must agree to abide by the rules contained in this Code of Conduct. It is important that you understand that these are requirements (not guidelines) and you understand the possible sanctions that may be taken against you or your swimmer. If you have any questions regarding the contents, please contact the head coach or welfare officers and we will be pleased to discuss this further.

Parents are expected to:

1.  Any changes in the state of your child’s health should be reported to the coach prior to coaching sessions and the membership secretary where necessary. Ensure the club has up to date contact details for you and any alternative person.
2. Deliver and collect your child from poolside. Parental responsibility is in place until the swimmers enter poolside and resume as soon as the swimmers leave poolside and enter the changing rooms. If you decide that your child is to be collected elsewhere, then by doing so you indemnify the club from any responsibility.
3. Deliver and collect your child punctually to and from coaching sessions/swim meets. Please inform a member of the committee or coaching staff if there is an unavoidable problem. If the club changes your child’s lane and/or training times, please remember the change is to provide appropriate levels of training and enable your child to progress and should be facilitated and encouraged at all times.
4. Ensure your child is properly and adequately attired for the training session/events including all required equipment.
5. Inform the coach before a session if your child is to be collected early from a coaching session/meet and if so by whom.
6. Encourage your child to obey rules and teach them that they can only do their best.
7. Respect that the club is administered by volunteers who generously give up their time. Behave responsibly as a spectator at training / meets and treat swimmers, coaches, committee members and parents of yours and other clubs with due respect, meeting the Swim England commitment to equality.
8. Do not use inappropriate language within the club environment and show appreciation and support for your child and all the team members.
9. Ensure your child’s needs are met in terms of hydration & nutritional needs and listen to advice given from the club coach.
10. Support the club coach and committee appropriately and raise any concerns you have in an appropriate manner. Details of the club Welfare Officer can be found on the club website and on the club board.
11. Do not enter poolside unless requested to do so or in an emergency.
12. Most of all, help your child enjoy the sport and achieve to the best of their ability.

The club will undertake to:

1. Inform you at once if your child is ill and ensure their wellbeing until you are able to collect him / her.
2. Ensure good safeguarding guidelines are followed to keep your child safe.
3. Ensure all activities are properly supervised / taught / coached and consent is obtained for any activity outside of that previously agreed.

Sanctions

Failure to comply with these codes could result in action being taken against parents to protect the welfare of swimmers, parents, coaching staff or volunteers. A verbal warning is generally the first stage. This is usually issued by the head coach or a welfare officer. A verbal warning will be followed by a confirmation email from the Committee detailing the reasons for the warning. If breaches of the code of conduct continue, the following disciplinary action can be taken against parents or their swimmer:

1. Written warning.
2. Temporary exclusion.
3. Membership withdrawal.

The Committee can, if required, withdraw the membership of a swimmer – a decision not taken lightly, but taken in the interests of the safety and well-being of the swimmers and club as a whole.

Where an initial incident is considered serious, the head coach or welfare officer may choose to bypass the stages of verbal or written warnings. In these cases, the incident may be referred to the Committee to consider and possibly implement a temporary exclusion or a permanent membership withdrawal.

Serious incidents will be reported to  Swim England in accordance with their guidelines.

The parent has a right to:

1. Make a complaint to the club if they feel the club or a member of the club is not acting appropriately to Swim England / club rules and regulations. Details of how to do this can be obtained from the club Welfare Officer.
2. Make a complaint on behalf of their child to the Swim England office of judicial administration