Swimming

When taking children or young people swimming, there are a few extra safeguarding considerations to keep in mind.

Changing areas should protect children’s privacy and dignity. That means having clear rules about adult supervision, and making sure staff and volunteers are never alone with a child in these spaces.

You should never take any photos and videos without clear parental consent, and absolutely none should be taken in changing rooms - either by the children or young people themselves, or by the adults supervising them. It’s also important to have rules in place to stop images being shared without permission.

You should consider the needs of any children with disabilities or special educational needs. Make sure the environment is accessible, that any extra support they need so they can take part safely and confidently is in place, and that all children know who to speak to if anything happens that causes them harm or concern.

There should be an increased adult to child ratio for all swimming trips, with a minimum of two adults present when your group are in the water and at least two adults per changing room.

Before the swimming event you should: 

• Find out the swimming ability of each child/young person.
• Ensure you have a completed swimming consent form for each child. A copy should be taken by the group leader on the trip and a copy should also be kept by the contact person in your organisation should any issues arise.

As part of your activity risk assessment you should:

• Check that there will be a qualified lifeguard present at all times.
• Check that First aid/rescue equipment is readily available.
• If appropriate to your group, check that the pool caters for children with disabilities.
• Check that there are adequate signs indicating the depth of the water.
• Check that the changing rooms are safe and hygienic and there is sufficient privacy for all.
• Ensure all workers are aware of the rules of the venue and encourage the children to follow these too e.g. No diving 

 Things to consider

Whilst a pool’s lifeguard should be on duty to supervise swimmers, this does not remove the duty of care of leaders and workers, including being able to account for the whereabouts of all those participating in the event.

Swimming in the sea or other natural waters is a potentially dangerous activity and should only be allowed as a supervised activity after a full risk assessment. Sensible precautions should be taken and swimming should preferably be in a recognised swimming area with a lifeguard present.

Leaders supervising changing rooms should be of the same gender as those changing, and supervised in a way that the leaders do not watch the children actually getting changed.

If the maximum depth of the water is less than 1.5 metres, diving should not be permitted.