Breifne Swim Club – Child Welfare

Breifne Swim recognises the absolute necessity for the highest of standards in Child Protection at all times.

While wishing to compete at the highest level possible, Breifne Swim Club also sees its primary role to develop, maintain and encourage all swimmers at whatever level they compete at. Each and every swimmer in the club are equally important.

Breifne Swim Club currently have two Club Children’s Officers (CCO’S) who have both attended and completed Child Protection and Safeguarding 2 workshops.

The current CCO’s are
Audrey McDowell, Email – audreysmcdowell@gmail.com, Mobile – 087 276 8221
Fergal Maguire, Email – fmaguire@laurmech.com, Mobile – 086 245 5119.

The CCO’s are responsible to the Breifne Swimming Management Committee and their main duties include the following;

To promote the Code of Ethics and Good Practice.
To familiarise with Safeguarding Procedures to ensure they can act as a resource for all members with regard to child welfare issues.
To influence policy and practice to prioritise children’s needs.
To ensure that children know how and whom they can report their concerns to within the club. Information disclosed by a child should be dealt with in accordance within the guidelines in Swim Ireland’s Code of Ethics.
To ensure that the children have a voice in the running of the club.
To encourage the participation of parents/guardians in club activities.
To co-operate with parents to ensure that each child enjoys his/her participation in swimming.
To act as a resource with regard to best practice in children’s swimming.
To report regularly to the club management committee.
To assist with monitoring changes in membership and follow up on any unusual dropout, absenteeism or club transfers by children or coaches/volunteers.

If any child has any issues or problems that they wish to discuss with a CCO, please do not hesitate to contact them. All queries will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

Audrey McDowell

Fergal Maguire