Drop Off and Collection of Swimmers Policy

The safety and well-being of each swimmer is the Club’s priority. This policy aims to outline the responsibilities of parents/guardians and coaches before, during and after training sessions.

       Drop-off

            Until the swimmer is poolside the responsibility for their safety and welfare lies with the parent/guardian.

            Therefore Slough Dolphin SC recommends;

• That the parent/guardian of all swimmers under the age of 13 should accompany their children into the pool/land training facility to ensure they arrive safely and go straight into the changing rooms or to the land training venue. 
• That parents/guardians with swimmers under the age of 13 do not drop their child/children off at the roadside or leave them in the car park. 
• Parents/guardians of swimmers under 13 ensure that a coach is present before leaving the complex.
  
  During Sessions
  
  The coaches are responsible for swimmers when they are on poolside or in the land training venue where they will ensure their safety and welfare. Where possible, parents/guardians are welcome to stay and watch their child/children and we would encourage parents of younger children to do so. Not only is this in the interest of the welfare of the children if they become ill or distressed, but it also allows parents/guardians to support their swimmers as they develop their skills.
  
  Collection
  
  When the swimmer leaves poolside (or land training), responsibility for child’s/children’s safety and welfare lies with parents/guardians. We ask that parents of all swimmers under the age of 13 collect their child/children from inside the pool facility. Parents/guardians are expected to arrive at the time the session finishes rather than when they think their swimmer will be ready so that they can assume responsibility for their child on leaving poolside. It is parents/guardians’ responsibility to ensure that they arrive promptly to ensure their children are not left unsupervised. Parents/guardians that are not staying during training sessions/swimming lessons should make sure they are contactable by phone (at one of the contact numbers provided to the club).
  
  Early Collection
  
  If a child must leave the session early due to illness or injury, they will be asked to remain on poolside until their parent/guardian arrives. They will only be allowed off poolside early if it is confirmed their parent/guardian is on- site. If a child would like to leave a session early (say for an appointment) the parent/guardian are responsible for emailing the coach at least two hours prior to the session to confirm this is authorised by yourself. Alternatively, you must provide a written note for them to give to the coach at the beginning of the session. The swimmers will not be allowed to leave early unless we have this confirmation from a parent/guardian as the coach remains responsible for the child during the entire duration of the session.
  
  Late Collection
  
  On occasion we understand that parents/guardians may be delayed and unable to collect their child from training or after an event. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to ensure the club has up to date contact numbers for you in case of an emergency or for use in situations such as these. The club asks for updated contact details annually as part of the Swim England’s membership renewal. Any subsequent changes to your contact details must be supplied to the club as soon as possible. After the swimmer leaves poolside or land training, the parent/guardian is responsible for the welfare of their child and it cannot be guaranteed that a coach or volunteer can remain with the child until collected.
  
  Where a parent/guardian is unavoidably delayed and knows they will not be able to arrive on time to collect their swimmer, they should arrange for an alternative nominated responsible adult to do so or to remain with the swimmer until they can be collected. If you are unable to do this, you must attempt to contact your coach or a club officer and provide clear guidance on what the club is required to do i.e., the parent/guardian must give consent if they wish another parent to transport their child home. Swimmers under the age of 13, if not collected, should not leave the building unsupervised and must stay inside the facility until you arrive and notify a coach, club official or facility staff member that they have not been collected. Parents/guardians must ensure their children are aware of this policy. Where no notice has been given of late collection and the coach / club officials are made aware that a swimmer remains uncollected, the coach or a club official will attempt to contact parent / guardian and will wait with the child. Consistent ‘no shows may result in the swimmer being excluded from club sessions.