AQUATOTS - CHILD PROTECTION TEACHER GUIDELINES

Aquatots believes the safety and welfare of all children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin and religion, is paramount and Aquatots takes all reasonable precautions to ensure this when children participate in any swimming activities with Aquatots.

All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and in the appropriate manner.

It is generally recognised that all forms of swimming can contribute positively to the development of individuals, physically, personally, socially and emotionally. This can only happen if the teaching and supervision of swimming is in the right hands - those of the informed, thinking and enlightened individuals, operating in an accepted ethical framework and as a self-monitoring professional. You, as Aquatots teachers are in positions of considerable influence, especially when teaching and supervising children and therefore have a profound responsibility to demonstrate and set high moral and ethical standards. Additionally, in an age of increasing litigation and with a growing awareness of the incidence of all kinds of abuse in sport and leisure activities, it is essential for all Aquatots teachers to consider their own practices and conduct to ensure that children''s welfare is paramount and that their (the teacher) behaviour cannot be misconstrued or deemed to contravene accepted good practice.

In addition, it is recognised that those who work with children on a regular basis in a sport situation may be able to provide an important link in identifying a child who has been or is at risk of being harmed. Therefore, you have a responsibility to review your own practice to ensure that it complies with recognised codes of behaviour. Keep yourself informed and able to recognise signs and symptoms of child abuse, be able to respond in a helpful way to anyone who discloses such information.

What is Child Abuse?

Child abuse can take several forms: Neglect, Physical, Emotional and Sexual.

In your capacity as Aquatots teacher, you may notice certain things that raise concerns, or, as a trusted, third party adult, the child (where able to) may disclose to you that abuse is occurring either in the home or elsewhere. It is important, therefore, for you to know how to respond appropriately.

If a child is of an age to disclose that abuse is occurring:

• Stay calm so as not to frighten the child.
• Assure the child that they are not to blame and that they were right to tell
• Take the child seriously.
• Keep questions to a minimum to ensure a clear understanding of what has been said.
• Do not promise confidentiality which may not be feasible, but offer reassurance.
• Make a full record of what has been said, heard or seen as soon as possible
• Report this to Lance Jones and or Evy Bentzon - Jones or directly to the authorities, as appropriate.

Signs of Abuse

Even for those experienced in working with child abuse, it is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has already taken place. Therefore, you should discuss any concern you may have about the welfare of a child immediately with either Lance Jones and or Evy Bentzon. It is their responsibility to contact the appropriate authorities for advice. Indications that a child may be being abused include the following:

• Unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns, particularly if situated on a part of the body not normally prone to such injuries
• An injury for which the explanation seems inconsistent
• The child, if of an age too, describes what appears to be an abusive act involving him/her
• Someone else expresses concern about the welfare of another child
• Unexplained changes in behaviour (e.g. becoming withdrawn or displaying sudden outbursts of temper)
• Inappropriate sexual awareness
• Engaging in sexually explicit behaviour
• Distrustful of adults, particularly those with whom a close relationship would normally be expected
• Has difficulty in making friends
• Is prevented from socialising with other children
• Displays variations in eating patterns, including overeating or loss of appetite
• Loses weight for no apparent reason
• Becomes increasingly dirty or unkempt

The above list is not exhaustive and the presence of one or more indicators is not proof that abuse is taking place. It is not your responsibility to decide that child abuse is occurring however it is your moral responsibility to act on any concerns.

In most instances, it would be important to talk to the parents or guardians to help clarify any concerns. For example if a child seems withdrawn, they may have as an example, experienced bereavement in the family or it is entirely possible that they may have recently been given prescribed medication, which may alter the child''s'' pallor and or make a child appear withdrawn. However, there are circumstances in which the child may be placed in even greater risk if these concerns were shared with the parents (e.g. where the parent may be responsible for the abuse).

• Report concerns to the Aquatots head Office.
• It is the responsibility of the Directors to record these concerns and report them to the appropriate authority.
• As a teacher you must record these concerns and what action you have taken.

Reporting Concerns as a Teacher

When passing on information, the following would be useful:

• The nature of the allegation
• A description of any visible bruising or other injuries
• The child''s account (where child is of an age to do so)
• Any times, dates or other relevant information.
• A clear distinction about what is fact, opinion or hearsay.

Good Practice

• Always be open when working with children - avoid situations where you and the child are completely unobserved.
• If any form of manual support or manipulation is required, it should be provided openly. Care is needed as it is difficult to maintain hand positions when the child is constantly moving.
• Where possible, parents and guardians should take on the responsibility for their children in all areas of the pool and changing facilities.
• Where there are mixed groups away from home, they should always be accompanied by a male and female member of staff
• Never engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games
• Never share a room with a child
• Never allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching
• Never allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged
• Never make sexually suggestive comments to a child or parent, even in fun
• Never allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon
• Never do things of a personal nature for children they can do for themselves
• Never invite or allow children to stay with you at your home unsupervised

It may sometimes be necessary for you to do things of a personal nature for children, particularly if they are young or have disabilities. These tasks should only be carried out with the full understanding and consent of parents and the children involved. There is a need to be responsive to a child''s reactions - if a child is fully dependent upon you, talk with them about what you are doing and give choices where possible. This is particularly so if you are involved in any physical contact or lifting or assisting a child to carry out particular activities.

If you accidentally hurt a child, they seem distressed in any manner or misunderstand or misinterpret something you have done, report any such incident to the parent and as soon as possible to the Aquatots head office and make a full written report under our standing procedures to be forwarded to Aquatots.

Policy & Procedure

Aquatots have a policy, which ensures that children are protected and kept safe from harm. The procedures will also protect you as an Aquatots teacher from spurious allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Do not hesitate to contact the Aquatots Head Office if you have any queries.

Advice & Training

Aqua will offer advice and information and there maybe formal training programmes may be available from local authorities and specialist groups and associations.

Complaints

Aquatots has a well established complaints procedure in operation for parents/guardians.

Teacher Candidates & Potential Employees: Aquatots ensures that references are taken up on all potential candidates and office staff, and all are vetted through the (CRB) Criminal Records Bureau, which check any potential Teacher or employee, prior to engaging them, against a registered lists of those deemed unsuitable to work with children. Thereafter every two years each teacher and employee has further checks carried out by the Criminal records Bureau (CRB).

Aquatots also ensure, before accepting a pool in a private residence the same checks are carried out on the owners.

AQUATOTS - ENHANCING CHILD PROTECTION THROUGH DISCLOSURE

Criminal Records Bureau in England and Wales

As Aquatots continues to successfully develop, market and promote its swimming programmes so comes'' the added commitment to protect those that we teach. To this end guidelines have been developed for the Aquatots Teacher or employee who work or come in contact with children.

Disclosure is an information service offered by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), an executive agency of the Home Office. The Disclosure process offers a regulated ''one stop'' service for England and Wales that enables organisations to make more thorough checks, particularly for positions that involve regular contact with children.

Since 2002 the CRB has offered various levels of Disclosure from Basic to Enhanced. The level of Disclosure needed may depend on the nature of the work to be carried out and applicant''s interaction with children. Many parents and guardians enquiring about the Aquatots program for their children frequently ask if staff members have been through the disclosure process.

How can this disclosure service help you as an Aquatots teacher? Being able to advertise as a company that your employees and Teachers have gone through the disclosure process will enhance promotion of our business and in turn your business when it comes to parents seeking to enrol with an Aquatots teacher. By carrying out these checks prior to engaging an employee and prior to the start of the Teacher candidates training, Aquatots are demonstrating to the parent or guardian ours and your commitment to the promotion of a safe environment for their children.

Summary

Consideration of child protection issues are necessary these days, not least because of the growth of the company and with more parents wishing their children to be involved in swimming activities with the development of Aquatots programmes. In this litigious time, it is prudent for all Teachers to be aware of the issues, remain above reproach and follow established codes of conduct. Look at your own activities and conduct and ensure that you remain above reproach, and that your behaviour could never be misconstrued by the parent, child or bystander.

Do not over react to hearsay, make your own observations and be methodical in your approach and never repeat or discuss hearsay with other parents or children. It is entirely possible someone who has a grudge or misunderstanding with an individual may use you, as your position as a teacher carries a certain amount of authority, to spread malicious rumours. Although the saying "better safe than sorry" is often used, you will need to use your commonsense and do not have a knee jerk reaction.

For almost a decade, Aquatots via the teachers, have worked with children and introduced them to the fun of the Aquatots swimming program. Let''s ensure that the reputation of Aquatots and those who teach the Aquatots program is beyond reproach and that above all else we treat the child''s welfare as paramount.

Evy Bentzon-Jones
Director