Governance & Safeguarding
Southport Swimming Club is a volunteer-led organisation governed by an elected committee. We operate in full compliance with Swim England's governance standards and are a SwimMark accredited club.
All members, coaches, volunteers, and parents are expected to read and adhere to the relevant codes of conduct. Documents are available to download below.
Safeguarding & Welfare
The safety, welfare and wellbeing of everyone at Southport Swimming Club is our highest priority.
We are committed to providing a safe, positive and welcoming environment where children, young people and adults can enjoy swimming, develop and achieve their potential.
Everyone involved in our Club – including swimmers, coaches, teachers, volunteers, officials and parents – has a role to play in creating a safe environment and speaking up if something doesn't feel right.
Our Club Welfare Officers
Our Welfare Officers are the first point of contact for any safeguarding or welfare concerns at Southport Swimming Club:
Natalie Lamb
Jim Whittingham
Email: [insert your safeguarding email address]
If you have a concern about the welfare or safety of a swimmer or another member of the Club, however small it may seem, please speak to Natalie or Jim or contact them confidentially using the safeguarding email address above.
Wavepower
Southport Swimming Club follows Wavepower – Swim England's Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
Wavepower sets out the safeguarding policies and procedures that all Swim England affiliated clubs are required to follow. Its purpose is to ensure that everyone can enjoy aquatics in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment. It covers safeguarding for children and adults at risk, reporting concerns, safer recruitment, training, changing rooms and the responsibilities of clubs and their members.
Reporting a Concern
If you are worried about something you have seen, heard or experienced, please speak up.
In the first instance, safeguarding and welfare concerns can be raised with one of our Club Welfare Officers. Concerns can also be reported directly to the Swim England Safeguarding Team if you would prefer not to raise the matter through the Club.
In an emergency, or where someone is at immediate risk of harm, call 999.
Swim England also advises that urgent concerns about a child can be raised with the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 if the Club Welfare Officer or Swim England safeguarding team cannot be contacted.
Creating a Safe Club
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. At Southport Swimming Club we work to ensure that appropriate safeguarding arrangements are embedded across everything we do.
This includes appropriate DBS checks and safeguarding training for relevant roles, clear Codes of Conduct, trained Welfare Officers and following Swim England requirements for safe recruitment and reporting concerns.
We also ask all swimmers, parents, coaches and volunteers to familiarise themselves with the Club's Codes of Conduct and safeguarding expectations.
Mobile Phones & Changing Rooms
The use of mobile phones and other electronic devices is prohibited in changing areas during Swim England regulated activity. This includes using a device for calls, messages, photographs or videos.