Basingstoke Bluefins – Commitment to Safeguarding and Welfare
At Basingstoke Bluefins, the welfare and safety of every child and young person involved in our club is our absolute priority. We are fully committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environment where all swimmers can thrive, both in and out of the water.
We believe safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility — whether you are a swimmer, parent, coach, volunteer, official, committee member or administrator. As a Swim England affiliated club, we strictly follow the safeguarding policies and procedures outlined in Swim England’s Wavepower guidance.
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You can find the latest Wavepower document here: Swim England Wavepower
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Raising Concerns
If you are worried about the welfare of a child or the behaviour of an adult (including coaches, volunteers, parents or others), please speak up.
This includes:
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Bullying (in-person or online)
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Inappropriate conduct or language
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Abuse (emotional, physical, sexual)
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Neglect or grooming
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Mental health concerns or emotional distress
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Any behaviour that makes a swimmer feel uncomfortable or unsafe
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Club Welfare Contact
You can report a concern in confidence to our trained Club Welfare Officer:
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Club Welfare Officer
Lesley Dudman
Email: Welfareofficer@bbfsc.org
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Waterpolo Welfare Officer
Lynda Donnnelly
Email: Welfareofficer@bbfsc.org
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They are trained in child safeguarding and will handle your concerns with care and discretion, following Swim England’s safeguarding procedures.
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External Support Contacts
If you or someone you know is struggling and would prefer to speak to someone outside the club, the following services are available:
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Swim England Safeguarding Team
Helpline: 0808 100 4001
Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
Support for anyone involved in swimming with safeguarding concerns.
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Childline (Free, 24/7 confidential support for children and young people)
Helpline: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Children and young people can speak to trained counsellors about anything — from bullying and abuse to family issues or feeling low.
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YoungMinds (Mental health support for young people and their parents)
www.youngminds.org.uk
Text YM to 85258 for free 24/7 crisis support
Advice on anxiety, depression, stress, and emotional wellbeing.
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Samaritans (Emotional support for all ages, including teens)
Helpline: 116 123 (Free, 24/7)
www.samaritans.org
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What We Do as a Club
At Basingstoke Bluefins, we put safety and wellbeing first through:
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A designated Club Welfare Officer
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DBS checks and safeguarding training for coaches and volunteers
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Enforced codes of conduct
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Photography and changing room policies
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Anti-bullying procedures
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Clear incident reporting systems
We regularly review and update our safeguarding practices to align with Swim England and statutory guidelines.
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Together, We Safeguard
Creating a safe and positive swimming environment takes all of us. If you ever have a concern — no matter how small — please don’t keep it to yourself. By acting early and speaking up, we can ensure that every swimmer at Basingstoke Bluefins is safe, supported, and free to enjoy their sport.
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