Swim England North West would like to take this opportunity to remind Club Welfare Officers of the following reqiurements for all Welfare Officers:

• Swim England North West Ltd requires all Club Welfare Officers to be an independent person (they cannot be related to or in a relationship with any one of the ‘Executive Officers of the Club or the Club’s Coaches, Teachers or Committee Members’)
• Welfare officers are required to complete a Swim England Safeguarding Course
• Welfare officers are required to complete Time to Listen Qualification
• Welfare officers are required to hold an in date DBS for the role of ‘Welfare Officer’
• Welfare officers are required to complete the Swim England Welfare Officer Workshop (for Club Affiliation/SwimMark Purposes)
• Welfare officer (or Chairperson) is required to complete the Foundations of Inclusivity CPD (for Club Affiliation/SwimMark Purposes)
• Club Welfare Officers should be utilising a generic email address (i.e. testclubwelfare@gmail.com).  The email address should be formatted in a way that references both the role of the welfare officer and the organisation – See Wavepower Page 77
• Email address and contact details should be communicated and publicised to all members.  The contact details should also be clearly visible on the club’s website/social media platforms making them easily accessible by club members

Masters Only Clubs

As per Wavepower it is now a requirement for ALL clubs to have a Welfare Officer in place, therefore Masters only clubs should now indicate on their Club Personnel Report, a Welfare Officer.   The Swim England Safeguarding and Time to Listen Courses are in the process of being updated, to include ‘Adults at Risk of Harm’, which is due to be completed by May/June 2024.  We recommend that all ‘Masters Only’ clubs wait until these new courses are released before completing.

However, in the meantime we would ask that Masters Only clubs ensure the Welfare Officer has the following in place:

• In date DBS check for role of Welfare Officer
• Welfare Officer attendance on Welfare Officer Workshop
• Welfare Officer completes Foundations of Inclusivity CPD

Masters Only clubs will then have until 1st August 2024 to ensure their Welfare Officer has completed both the Safeguarding and Time to Listen Courses and this is visible on their Club Personnel Report.

Swim England also run a National Welfare Officer Forum to enable important updates to be shared and an opportunity for all Welfare Officers and others involved in supporting Welfare and Safeguarding concerns to come together to share good practice and seek support for issues raised.

To register your interest in attending these forums, please click this link and complete the registration form.