THE GOOD CLUB GUIDE EXTRA: FOR A CLUB WELFARE OFFICER

GETTING STARTED The following sections will provide additional help and support for a Club Welfare Officer in key areas of the role. This resource should be read in conjunction with other ASA Good Club Guides, and also ASA produced resources relating to child protection, available through the British Swimming website at

HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE As a reference to assist you/others in their role To assist a club in recruiting volunteers by giving information about a role To prompt discussions at your club about the standards and qualities of volunteers and child protection needed As part of an induction for a new volunteer at the club To input into the development /action plan for the club

ACTIVITY 1: HOW DOES THAT FIT WITH YOUR ROLE? Using the role description in the ASA Good club guide for a Welfare Officer, consider how this relates to you, and the role you are doing / could be doing in the future? E.g. are there areas, as a Welfare Officer that you may need to consider as part of your role having read the information?

ACTIVITY 2: PRIORITIES FOR YOU IN YOUR ROLE In your role as Welfare Officer, write down what you think are the 3 main priority areas for your club in the future e.g. accessing training courses, working with the Workforce Co-ordinator to ensure there is a child protection briefing in the induction for new volunteers. Describe your role in making this happen? e.g making the case for this to be on the club committee meeting agenda, providing promotional information. Who do you now need to share this information with? e.g Chairperson, Workforce Co-ordinator?

ACTIVITY 3: MAKING A REFERRAL A role of the Welfare Officer is to ensure that referrals are made, should they be necessary. All information relating to referrals is detailed within the ASA document “Child welfare in Swimming: procedures and guidelines” You might want to list any comments/ reminders on what you will need to do in the case of a referral.

ACTIVITY 4: SELF REFLECTION ACTIVITY What could you do to gain further experience in being a Welfare Officer having now read this resource? e.g. Contact neighboring swimming club by December to network with their Welfare Officer What information might be useful for you to follow up / gain further information on to help you during you term of office as a Welfare Officer? e.g attend a child protection workshop, or encourage others to do so

Who are the people who will be important for you to speak / communicate with in order to achieve the above and why? What further help do you need in developing your Welfare Officer skills?

Twelve months from today, what is the one thing you would like to have achieved in being a Welfare Officer? TIP: Set a reminder in your phone / diary / calendar that you have committed to doing this, and to re-visit this page!

SUMMARY We hope you have found this guide informative in guiding you in your role, and providing you with information and helpful tips. We wish you a great experience in your role and thank you once again for all your time and commitment you are giving to the sport.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The ASA are grateful for the contributions and input from the ASA Volunteer working group in ensuring these resources are written and reviewed by volunteers, for volunteers. These resources also draw upon the work developed by the ASA independent child protection officer, swim21 clubs, runningsports and Volunteering England. The ASA would like to acknowledge and thank these organisations for their support and permission in using the work they have completed.