In this document the word “Teacher” is used as a general term for “Teacher”, “Coach” and “Poolside Helper”
The Teacher must;
- Consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance
- Be responsible for the safety and well being of swimmers under their direct supervision
- Stay alert and have an overall awareness of what is going on in the pool. Excited children can become irrational, a weak swimmer could get out of their depth by mistake.
- Treat all swimmers with respect and dignity, value their worth and treat everyone equally, recognising their needs and abilities within the context of the sport
- Develop an appropriate working relationship with swimmers based on mutual trust and respect
- Always place the well-being, health and safety of swimmers above all other considerations including developing performance
- Always ensure that all teaching, coaching and competition programmes are appropriate for the age, ability and experience of the individual swimmer
- Always identify and meet the needs of the individual swimmer as well as the needs of the team / squad
- Be fair and equal in team and training squad selection
- Never exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward, in particular, coaches must not use their position to establish or pursue a sexual or improper relationship with an athlete or someone close to them
- Encourage and guide swimmers to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance
- Continue to seek and maintain their own professional development in all areas in relation to coaching and teaching children
- Treat all information of a personal nature about individual swimmers as confidential, except in circumstances where to do so will allow the child to be placed at risk of harm or continue to be at risk of harm
- Encourage all swimmers to obey the spirit of the rules and regulations both in and out of the pool
- Co-operate fully with other specialities (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors and physiotherapists) in the best interest of the swimmer
- Never encourage or condone swimmers, volunteers, officials or parents to violate the rules of the club or the sport and report an violations
- Observe the authority and the decision of the officials and only questions those decisions in the appropriate manner
- Treat all competitors and the club teams with respect, whether that is in victory or defeat and encourage all team members and fellow club members to do the same
- Refer all concerns of a child safeguarding nature to the club welfare officer (Ray Cline)