Under our duty of care to safeguard children, Dewsbury Amateur Swimming Club (DASC) has a responsibility for the wellbeing of children in the changing rooms. This does not mean that parents/carers have no responsibility, but parents are often not in Dewsbury Sports Centre  at the time when children are swimming and training to exercise their duty of care.

DASC is not able to supervise children either before or after swimming sessions. The view of DASC is that the club has a reasonable duty of care to its members, which extends to an awareness on the part of the club that their junior members have been collected, in so far as is possible, at the conclusion of a session.

Facilities at the Dewsbury Sports Centre consist of a mixed changing village and may be shared by both club members and members of the general public. Mobile devices must not be used in the changing village.

Parents/carers should not be in the changing room whilst the children are changing, unless their child is of an age where help is required, or if the child requires additional specific assistance.

Members who are aged under 10 or in Year 5 or below at school will have a responsible adult present at Dewsbury Sports Centre during their training sessions with the club.

Parents/carers of children who are aged 10 and over (or in Year 6 or above at school) who chose to leave their children at later or longer sessions must ensure that the Coaches/Poolside Assistants have up-to-date contact numbers.

The view of DASC is that while a child is training, they remain under the responsibility and duty of care of the person who is coaching them at that time. If a member goes out of the pool area, the coach should be made aware of this. If the child fails to return within a reasonable time, or appears to be upset upon leaving poolside, the coach should request a suitable official to check on them. It is best practice for two persons to look for the member (the second person could be a senior member or a parent).

Parents/carers are expected to collect their child punctually from coaching sessions/events and to inform the Coach/Poolside Assistant or Team Manager if there is an unavoidable delay.

Parents/carers are expected to collect their child from the Reception/Foyer area at Dewsbury Sports Centre.

All junior members and their parents should be aware that if children are not collected by a parent, then they should make that known to the Coach/Poolside Assistant and for the nominated individual to ensure that the member is supervised appropriately until a parent arrives or the parent communicates alternative arrangements.

If a parent fails to collect a child, DASC will follow the procedure outlined in the Late Collection of Children Policy.