Aquabatix Child Protection Policy

The purpose and scope of this policy statement

Aquabatix occasionally works with children and families as part of its activities. These include: synchronised swimming performances and rehearsals for those trained in the sport, teaching children of all ages and abilities the basics of synchronised swimming and movement underwater, and working with children under 18 trained in synchronised swimming in underwater tanks for filming or photographic purposes.

The purpose of the Aquabatix child protection policy is:

  • to protect children and young people who receive Aquabatix’s services. This includes the children of adults who use our services.
  • to provide parents, staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

This policy statement applies to anyone working on behalf of Aquabatix, including Directors and paid staff, volunteers, sessional and contracted workers, agency staff and students.

Legal framework

The Aquabatix child protection policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England/Northern Ireland/Scotland/Wales. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk/childprotection

We believe that:

  • children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind
  • we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practice in a way that protects them

We recognise that:

  • the welfare of the child is paramount
  • all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
  • some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
  • working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

  • valuing, listening to and respecting them
  • appointing a nominated child protection/safeguarding lead and a deputy child protection/safeguarding lead
  • developing child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures which reflect best practice
  • using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
  • creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise
  • developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures
  • sharing information about child protection and safeguarding best practice with children, their families, staff and volunteers via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions
  • recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
  • providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures
  • using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
  • ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place
  • ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
  • recording and storing information professionally and securely
  • ensuring children under 18 are supervised and under the guidance and expertise of a responsible coach when in rehearsals, at an event or working on set
  • making sure children have a private and safe space to change in
  • ensuring the activity is suitable for children to be involved in (for example no nudity, bad language or sexual content)
  • making sure when teaching children, it is appropriate for the youngest or most vulnerable person (this could be due to age or stage of the child’s development)
  • any physical contact is appropriate, justifiable, agreed by the child and approached sensitively
  • suitable adult to children ratio when teaching
  • for any one to one activities, a parent or carer must grant their permission after being briefed about the activity
  • a licence will be issued where relevant if the child is under school leaving age and participating in an event, model shoot, filming on screen work
  • a parent, carer or chaperone will be required on set if undergoing filming and/or photographic work
  • any photographs or filming that has taken place from the event, rehearsals, on set or in a teaching session that includes a child will be asked to the parent/carer for their permission to use on for online promotion such as website and social media channels

Parents and carers

Parents and carers will be fully informed about:

  • the nature of the work we are doing with their child
  • the young person’s role
  • the commitment required.
  • if photography and filming will be taking place
  • Aquabatix requires a parent or carer’s signature on the artist’s booking form if the artist is under 18

Contact details

Nominated child protection lead

Name: Katie Fried

Phone/email: 020 8144 2782  katie@aquabatix.com

Deputy child protection lead

Name(s): Adele Carlsen

Phone/email: 020 8144 2782  adele@aquabatix.com

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

This policy was last reviewed on: 25/02/19

Signed: Katie Fried
Date: 25/02/19