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For children and young people
Our Commitment
We are committed to creating a safe environment for everyone
Code of Conduct
Athletes (Under 18)
This code sets out your rights as an athlete, the respect you should expect, and what is expected of you as a member of the club.
You have the right to:
- •Feel safe and know how you can raise concerns
- •Be listened to
- •Be involved and contribute towards decisions within the club
- •Be respected and treated fairly by every member
- •Feel welcomed, valued and not judged based on your race, gender, sexuality, faith, ability or any other characteristic
- •Be encouraged and developed with our help and support
- •Be looked after if there's an accident or injury and have your parents/guardians informed
We expect you to:
- •Be aware of Wavepower and adhere to relevant guidance
- •Adhere to Swim England regulations, Code of Ethics, Club Constitution and rules
- •Listen to your coach or teacher, behave responsibly and speak out when something isn't right
- •Never leave the premises without agreeing it with your coach, teacher or team manager first
- •Make it to training and competitions on time — let the club know if you're running late
- •Let your coach know if you have any difficulties attending training or competitions
- •Bring the right kit to training and competitions
- •Take care of equipment and premises as if they were your own
- •Support and encourage your team mates
- •Respect volunteers and competitors at competitions
- •Respect the committee, coaching team and volunteer helpers at all times
- •Get involved in club decisions — it's your sport too
Standards of Behaviour
By becoming a member and agreeing to this Code of Conduct you agree to:
- •Follow the rules of the club, squad or activity at all times
- •Respect and celebrate differences — you will not discriminate on grounds of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, faith, ability or any other characteristic
- •Understand that abusive language, bullying, physical violence or any behaviour that hurts others will not be tolerated
- •Respect the privacy of others, especially in the changing rooms
- •Not use any mobile device at any time in the changing areas
- •Report any concerns about someone taking photographs in changing areas
- •Report any incidents of bullying or unacceptable behaviour to the welfare officer, even if you are only a witness
Please note: Breaches of this Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action by the club committee. Any behaviour which may be a criminal offence will be reported to Police and relevant authorities.
Code of Conduct
Athletes (18 and Over)
This code sets out your rights as an adult athlete, the respect you should expect, and what is expected of you as a member of the club.
You have the right to:
- •Feel safe and know how you can raise concerns
- •Be listened to
- •Be involved and contribute towards decisions within the club
- •Be respected and treated fairly by every member
- •Feel welcomed, valued and not judged based on your race, gender, sexuality, faith, ability or any other relevant characteristic
- •Be encouraged and developed with our help and support
- •Be looked after if there's an accident or injury and have your emergency contact informed where appropriate
We expect you to:
- •Be aware of Wavepower and adhere to relevant guidance
- •Adhere to Swim England regulations, Code of Ethics, Club Constitution and rules
- •Respect your coach or teacher, behave responsibly and speak out when something isn't right
- •Let someone know if you are leaving the premises at training or a competition
- •Let someone know if you're running late, particularly at a competition where it may impact others
- •Let someone know if you have any difficulties attending training or competitions
- •Support and encourage your team mates
- •Respect volunteers and competitors at competitions
- •Respect the committee, coaching team and volunteer helpers at all times
- •Get involved in club decisions — it's your sport too
Standards of Behaviour
- •Follow the rules of the club, squad or activity at all times
- •Respect and celebrate differences — you will not discriminate on grounds of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, faith, ability or any other characteristic
- •Understand that abusive language, bullying, physical violence or any behaviour will not be tolerated
- •Respect the privacy of others, especially in the changing rooms
- •Not use any mobile device at any time in the changing areas
- •Report any concerns about someone taking photographs in changing areas
- •Report any incidents of bullying or unacceptable behaviour to the welfare officer, even if you are only a witness
Please note: Breaches of this Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action by the club committee. Any behaviour which may be a criminal offence will be reported to Police and relevant authorities.
Code of Conduct
Parents & Guardians
At LSC, we want every swimmer to feel supported, safe and happy — and parents play a huge part in that. Thank you for being such an important part of our club community.
The Essentials
- •Help us nurture the club values of Respect, Responsibility and Passion
- •Complete and keep updated all consent, contact and medical details on TeamUnify
- •Help your child arrive on time, prepared and ready to enjoy their session
- •Let us know if your child will be late, collected early or going home with someone else
- •Ensure your swimmer has the right kit, goggles, food and drink
- •Build a positive relationship with your child's coach and chat to us if you have questions
- •Speak to us early if something doesn't feel right — we're here to help
Behaviour & Club Spirit
- •Take an interest in your child's swimming journey — celebrate the small wins
- •Encourage them to listen to their coach and understand their Athlete Code of Conduct
- •Be a positive, supportive voice at training and galas
- •Treat all swimmers, coaches, officials, volunteers and fellow parents with respect
- •Avoid negative comments about any swimmer, parent or club — including online
- •Use WhatsApp and social groups thoughtfully and only for club-related matters
- •Follow the club's rules on social media, photography and safeguarding
- •Keep coaches informed of any changes to your child's wellbeing or needs
- •Raise concerns through the right channels — our Welfare Officer is always here to listen
- •Allow coaches to do their work uninterrupted — poolside access is for staff only
- •Remain responsible for your child at galas unless a coach has agreed otherwise
- •Support our alcohol, smoking and anti-doping policies
Your Rights as a Parent or Guardian:
- •Know that your child will be cared for in a safe, welcoming environment
- •See our club policies at any time
- •Have the contact details for our Welfare Officer
- •Be informed of any concerns relating to your child
- •Know the training and qualifications of the coaches working with your child
- •Understand what happens if your child has an accident or becomes unwell
- •Give or withhold consent for activities outside normal training
- •Have any worries or questions listened to and taken seriously
- •Make a complaint if needed, following our club procedures
This Code of Conduct is aligned with Swim England's Wavepower 2025 safeguarding policy. All parents and guardians are required to comply with Wavepower in full, in addition to the Leatherhead SC Code of Conduct. Persistent breaches may, in the last resort, mean we have to ask a swimmer to leave the club.
Code of Conduct
Coaches & Teachers
This code sets out the rights and responsibilities of all coaching and teaching staff at LSC.
Your Rights as a Coach or Teacher
- •Be supported in your role and respected and treated fairly by the club
- •Be informed of Wavepower and appropriate reporting procedures
- •Know who the Welfare Officer(s) is/are and how to contact them
- •Be informed of the club complaints process
- •Be aware of the club rules and procedures
- •Be involved and contribute towards decisions within the club
- •Have access to ongoing training and CPD in all aspects of your role
Rules & Regulations
- •Adhere to and implement Wavepower
- •Champion everyone's right to take part and celebrate difference
- •Adhere to the Swim England Equality and Diversity Policy
- •Not engage in any behaviour that constitutes any form of abuse
- •Adhere to Swim England regulations, Code of Ethics, Club Constitution and rules
- •Refer all safeguarding and welfare concerns to the Welfare Officer
- •Challenge instances of poor, negative, aggressive or bullying behaviour amongst children
Coaching & Behaviour
- •Respect children's trust and rights whilst being honest and open
- •Keep coaching and/or teaching qualifications and CPD up to date
- •Keep children safe with appropriate staffing ratios and safe methods
- •Lead by example creating and promoting a positive, safe culture
- •Complete Swim England safeguarding training every three years
- •Ensure a current DBS certificate is maintained (renewable every 3 years)
- •Follow club procedures should a child have an accident or injury
- •Always put the wellbeing and safety of the child before all other considerations
Breaches of this Code will result in disciplinary action under the club committee's judicial regulations or under your contract of employment. Continued breaches may result in dismissal from the club. Criminal offences will be reported to Police.
Code of Conduct
Committee Members, Officials & Volunteers
LSC simply couldn't run without the commitment, kindness and energy of our volunteers. You are the heartbeat of the club, and we want you to feel valued, supported and confident in your role.
Representing the Club
- •Champion our club values: Respect, Responsibility and Passion
- •Follow Swim England's Code of Ethics, Regulations, Equality Policy and Wavepower at all times
- •Understand your role and carry it out fairly, consistently and without favour
- •Maintain high standards of conduct and appearance — you're an ambassador for LSC
- •Communicate clearly and respectfully with swimmers, parents and other volunteers
- •Use club social media and WhatsApp groups appropriately
- •Treat every member with kindness, dignity and respect
- •Help create and sustain a welcoming, positive, safe club culture
Supporting Our Swimmers
- •Encourage swimmers to take responsibility for their behaviour and sportsmanship
- •Promote fair play and always uphold the rules of the sport
- •Challenge negative, bullying or discriminatory behaviour
- •Treat sensitive information confidentially and share only on a need-to-know basis
- •Follow all child safeguarding procedures and refer concerns immediately
- •Ensure children are safe, supervised and supported at all times
- •Respect the decisions of officials and raise queries in the proper manner
- •Refrain from alcohol or smoking during any club activity, event or trip
Keeping Your Practice Strong
- •Keep your qualifications, CPD and required safeguarding training up to date
- •Complete Swim England safeguarding training every three years (where required)
- •Maintain a valid DBS check (renewable every three years, where required)
- •Know who the Welfare Officer is and how to contact them
- •Follow pool-hire conditions, club policies and health-and-safety rules
- •Act promptly and correctly if a child is injured or becomes unwell
Your Rights as a Volunteer
- •Feel welcomed, appreciated and supported in your role
- •Be treated fairly, with respect and without discrimination
- •Be listened to and have a say in club decisions
- •Access training and development relevant to your role
- •Know and use the correct safeguarding and reporting procedures
- •Feel confident about the club's complaints process
- •Be protected from physical or emotional abuse from swimmers or parents
Alignment with Swim England Policies
This Code of Conduct is an extension of:
- •Swim England Code of Ethics
- •Swim England Equality & Diversity Policy
- •Wavepower 2025 (v2.1) – Child Safeguarding Policy & Procedures
- •Swim England Regulations and Club Constitution
All volunteers are required to follow these policies in full. Persistent or serious breaches may result in disciplinary action under Swim England judicial regulations, and criminal matters will be reported to Police where required.
Accreditation
SwimMark Accreditation
Leatherhead Swimming Club is proud to be a SwimMark-accredited club — Swim England's official quality standard for swimming clubs.
What is SwimMark?
SwimMark (formerly Swim 21) is Swim England's Club Development model — a planning tool based on the principles of Long Term Athlete Development, enabling clubs to help athletes, teachers, coaches and administrators to achieve their full potential.
SwimMark is not just endorsed by Swim England but also by Sport England. SwimMark Accreditation includes Sport England Clubmark — a kite mark applied across all sports.
What it means for you
For parents and swimmers, SwimMark accreditation means you can trust that LSC is a club that does things properly — safe, professional and totally focused on helping swimmers thrive.
Club Policy
Behaviour & Disciplinary Policy
LSC is a community club built on respect, teamwork and a genuine love of swimming. All members agree to the LSC Codes of Conduct when joining or renewing. This policy explains how we manage behaviour concerns in a fair, consistent and transparent way.
What this policy does NOT cover
- ️Safeguarding & Welfare Concerns — anything involving child safety must follow Wavepower. Contact the LSC Welfare Officer at leatherheadswim.welfare@gmail.com
- ️Disputes or complaints between members — handled through the Club Complaints Procedure (Swim England Regulation 107)
- Breaches of Swim England rules — follow the Swim England Judicial Complaint Procedure (Regulation 108)
The LSC Disciplinary Process
We aim to deal with issues promptly, fairly and with the wellbeing of all swimmers in mind. There are four stages, ensuring clarity for everyone involved.
Informal Verbal Warning
A gentle reminder or request to change behaviour, given by a coach, teacher, team manager or club officer. Parents/guardians will be informed if the swimmer is under 18.
Formal Verbal Warning
A meeting takes place between the relevant club officer, the swimmer, and (if under 18) their parent/guardian. After the meeting, the Chair sends an email summarising the agreed behaviour changes.
Written Warning
Used when behaviour continues or is more serious. A meeting is held with the swimmer, relevant club officer and parent/guardian. A formal letter from the Chair will outline what was discussed, what behaviour must change, and what will happen if further breaches occur.
Final Written Warning
A final warning issued when Stage 2 conditions are ignored. A behaviour contract may be put in place. The Chair will send written confirmation outlining the consequences of any further breaches.
Further Action & Possible Sanctions
Ongoing breaches after a final written warning may result in removal from the club. Any dismissal follows the formal Club Complaint Procedure (Regulation 107) and involves the athlete and parent/guardian.
Possible sanctions include:
- •Removal from the remainder of a training session
- •Supervised poolside until collected
- •Additional educational training
- •Temporary exclusion from competition
- •Temporary exclusion from social events
- •Temporary exclusion from all club activity
- •A written apology
- •Monitored training for a fixed period
Our Approach
Throughout the process, both parties can raise concerns through the Club Complaints route. All communication will be clear and timely, decisions will be fair and in line with Swim England guidance, and the welfare of the swimmer and wider club community will always come first. We aim to handle problems early, positively and constructively — keeping Leatherhead SC a safe, friendly and supportive environment for everyone.
Note: use of phones/devices in changing areas is strictly prohibited during all club activity.