Safety & Child Protection
Health & Safety Around Swimming Pools
It is extremely important that parents and children are aware of the dangers which occur out of the water as well as in the water around the swimming pools and we ask that you take extra care. Always ensure that your outdoor shoes are covered while on poolside. The pool area is a very clean environment and dirt and germs from shoes can make it dangerous for the swimmer.
If your child has an infection of the foot i.e. Athletes Foot or a verrucae please ensure that the area is covered as these infections are easily transmitted to others and are almost always picked up at swimming pools.
Long hair can be a danger if swimming underwater close to the sides of the pool and it is advised for all children to wear the swimming cap provided. The cap is not only safer but will enable the child to be less distracted by not shaking hair from the face and ultimately will be able to concentrate on the lesson fully. Ill-fitting goggles are also dangerous. As the child is constantly adjusting them they can be "pinged" back into the eyes and cause injury. Goggles can also be far too big for a small child and will be purely be a distraction. If goggles are required please ensure that you take time prior to the lesson to fit them properly. we would suggest that goggles are not required for Aqua 1
Always advise your child to walk while on the poolside and never run. Pool areas can be very slippery and very hard!
Safe entry into the pool is very important as your child's teacher will emphasise therefore unless told otherwise a safe sitting entry is advised. From time to time various pool toys will be used for games and retrieving from the bottom of the pool. Some of these objects are hard and slightly weighted and therefore on no account must these be thrown at another person either in the pool or out.
All pool areas must be kept free from obstacles for health and safety reasons and would appreciate parents vigilance in this area. Should you notice an item which should be locked away or piece of emergency equipment which requires repair please do not hesitate to bring this to the attention of the swimming teacher.
All jewellery must be removed before coming to swimming lessons. Teachers are not responsible for personal belongings and parents should ensure that their child does not bring any items of value to the poolside.
The staff will be ensuring that everything possible is done to ensure a safe swimming environment for your children.
Child Protection Policy
Aberdeen City Aquatics programme recognises that child protection should not be treated in isolation. We will take on board guidance given by the North East of Scotland Child Protection Committee and will address recruitment and selection of paid employees and volunteers by doing the following:
- We accept that it is our responsibility as a Local Authority to check that all adults with regular access to children have been appropriately vetted.
- We will make a request for previous addresses on appropriate forms
- We will ask for the names of two referees who will be prepared to provide a written reference and who may be interviewed personally.
- We will interview prospective staff and volunteers.
- We will note at interview all previous relevant experience of volunteers and staff.
- We will carry out a probationary period for all volunteers and staff of at least 3 months.
We believe that every child regardless of age has at all times and in all situations a right to feel safe and protected from any situation or practice that results in a child being physically or psychologically damaged. In our programme, if we have suspicions about a child's physical, sexual or emotional well being, we will take action.
