New Safeguarding CPD integral to Stronger Affiliation process

Swim England’s Safeguarding CPD is a key component of the Stronger Affiliation process, which introduces new measures for clubs.

Launched earlier this week, the CPD provides teachers, coaches and club personnel with an insight into safeguarding issues, including how to access support and advice.

Importantly at this time, the course can be delivered as an online webinar, led by tutors, allowing participants in various locations to be guided through the course content.

The aquatics-specific CPD reflects Wavepower, Swim England’s recently updated child safeguarding policy and procedures publication.

It is also an integral part of the Stronger Affiliation process – making it especially relevant to Swim England’s 1,000+ affiliated clubs and almost 200,000 members across its sports.

What is Stronger Affiliation?

Measures are being introduced by Swim England to ensure new and existing members know clubs are well run and have the necessary safeguarding checks in place for any roles covered by Wavepower.

Swim England’s Club Development Team will work closely with clubs this year to ensure those which are not SwimMark accredited are compliant with the Stronger Affiliation process by January 2021.

Jon Keating, Swim England Club Development Director, outlined why the new Safeguarding CPD is central to this process.

He said: “As one of six pieces of evidence, all clubs have to demonstrate their Club Personnel Record. This will be inclusive of safeguarding for all workforce that need to hold safeguarding accreditation.

“Therefore we expect a spike from clubs needing to complete safeguarding training and to have this completed by December 1.

“Stronger Affiliation is about strengthening the governance of all clubs, and safeguarding – protecting our members and workforce – is a critical part of this work.

“Making the CPD aquatics specific will help the safeguarding training be more specific to Swim England clubs rather than some of the more generic courses currently accepted.”

Support for clubs

Swim England’s regionally based club officers can be contacted with any queries, while the Club Support Hub at www.swimming.org/swimengland/clubs-home can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In addition, there is a club administration contact number and email for any club needing support:

• Tel: 01509 640 442 / Email: [email protected]
• Find out more about Swim England’s new Safeguarding CPD here.