St Paul’s Swimming Club – Child Protection Policy

1.  Purpose

St Paul’s Swimming Club Inc is committed to providing a safe, positive, and inclusive environment for all members. The welfare of children and young people is our primary consideration. We acknowledge that every child has the right to be protected from all forms of abuse and neglect.

2.  Scope

This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, contractors, and parents/guardians associated with the club.

3.  Safe Recruitment and Vetting

To ensure the safety of our swimmers, the Club will ensure the following are applied:

  1. Police Vetting: Require a clean NZ Police Vetting check for all staff and regular volunteers (every 3 years).
  2. Reference Checks: Conduct at least two reference checks for any new coaching or administrative
  3. Induction: Ensure all new staff/volunteers read and sign this Child Protection Policy before commencing

4.  Codes of Behaviour

All Adults (Coaches, Officials, Parents and Volunteers) must:

  1. Avoid being alone with a Use the “Two-Person Rule”—ensure another adult or a group of swimmers is present and use an open-door policy where possible.
  2. Maintain professional Physical contact should only occur when necessary for the child’s safety or to demonstrate a swimming technique.
  1. Use positive, encouraging Bullying, shouting, or belittling is strictly prohibited.
  2. Never transport a child in a personal vehicle without written parental consent and another adult present, other than in an emergency situation.
  3. Treat all children with respect at all times, regardless of their gender, race, religion, political beliefs, age, physical or mental health, sexual orientation, family and social background, and culture, economic status or criminal background.
  4. Act professionally and maintain appropriate boundaries at all
  5. Avoid circumstances where their behaviour (both verbal and physical) may be misinterpreted as hostile, suggestive, inappropriate, offensive, or neglectful.
  6. Monitor visitors at events, meets, activities, lessons, or programmes, and report any concerns to the Club’s Child Protection Officer or Club Administrator.
  1. Never leave a child in a pool or at a training venue unattended or without appropriate levels of supervision and in accordance with safe working practices.
  2. Promote an environment where children feel safe and
  3. Act swiftly to ensure that any perceived risk to a child is immediately reported in consultation with the Child Protection Officer.
  4. Inform the Club Protection Officer of breaches in safe working practices, regardless of whether this has resulted in the harm of a child.

5.  Changing Room and Digital Safety

  1. Changing Rooms: Adults must not enter changing rooms while children are present unless there is an emergency or they are a parent/guardian of a child in that specific area.
  2. Photography/Video: No photos or videos are to be taken in changing Any filming for technique analysis must be done in public view.
  3. Social Media: Coaches and volunteers must not “friend” or private message swimmers under 18 years on personal social media accounts. All club communication should go through official channels or include parents.

6.  Supervision Ratios

St Paul’s adheres to the following supervision ratios:

  1. Red Level – 1:5 per class
  2. Blue Level – 1:6 per class
  3. Junior Coaching 1:8 per class
  4. Club Training: all squads will be assigned a maximum number per squad and will be actively supervised by coaching staff during the practice.

7.  Responding to Concerns

If any member suspects a child is at risk of harm:

Observe: Note the behaviour or disclosure without leading the child.

Report: Immediately inform the Club Child Protection Officer or the Club Administrator.

External Reporting: If there is immediate danger, contact the NZ Police (111) or Oranga Tamariki (0508 326 459). All reports will be handled with strict confidentiality.

 

Document Control

DOCUMENT TYPE: Policy
DOCUMENT OWNER: Secretary
DOCUMENT REVIEW PERIOD (Maximum): Tri-Annually
REVIEW DATE DUE: May 2029
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: Nil
REVISED: May 2026

 

Version Record

Version Date Author Revision
1 May 2026 Secretary Full revision of procedures

 

Distribution:

To all St Paul’s Swimming Club Committee Members, Staff, and Club Members.