Quick Dip: What Does the Club Welfare Officer Do?

A short read for the car journey

Category: Safety & Support  | Read time: Under 2 minutes

The Club Welfare Officer helps protect swimmers’ safety and wellbeing. They are someone you can speak to if another person’s behaviour worries you, upsets you or makes you feel unsafe.

That might mean repeated name-calling, hurtful messages or an adult doing something that makes you uncomfortable. You can also speak up if you are worried about another swimmer.

You do not need to know whether a rule has been broken before asking for help.

The Welfare Officer listens, takes your concern seriously and helps arrange the right support. They follow Swim England’s safeguarding procedures. Safeguarding means protecting people from harm.

They may need to involve other people who can help. They should handle what you say carefully, but cannot promise to keep everything secret if someone may be at risk.

You can start with: “Something has happened and I’d like to talk about it.”

You can speak to the Welfare Officer yourself or ask a parent, carer or trusted adult to help you contact them. You can write down what you want to say if speaking feels difficult.

If you need help straight away, tell a coach, lifeguard or another trusted adult who is there. Do not wait for the Welfare Officer to arrive.

If the first person does not help, tell someone else. You can also call Childline free on 0800 1111.

Ask a parent or carer: Can you show me who our Welfare Officer is and how to contact them?

Created by Basingstoke Bluefins Coaching Team