Role of the Welfare Officer

This voluntary position is closely regulated by the Amateur Swimming Association and needs to be in place for any clubs associated with the ASA. The Welfare Officer is in place for all swimmers in the Academy Swim Team who are Under 18 and makes the needs of these swimmers a priority. Swimmers over 18 can also discuss any issues they may have with the Welfare Officer. A Welfare officer must undertake a full DBS check, attend a Safeguarding & Protection Course, as well as attend a “Time to Listen” course. Welfare Officers will have a good knowledge of the Wavepower document, which is the ASA policy and guidance to safeguarding children and young people in swimming.

AST Welfare Officer

Alan Howe - Welfare Officer

For the Academy Swim Team the Welfare Officer role is held by Alan Howe. Alan is a parent of a current and 2 former AST Burnham swimmers. If your child has a concern about themselves or another swimmer, about how they are being treated by others, or something that is making them unhappy, then the Club Welfare Officer is in place for your child, or you the parent or carer, to talk to about any concerns.

Reporting a Welfare Concern

Our Welfare Officer can be regularly seen around the Swim Academy on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evening's, but if you wish to contact Alan he can be reached by email at [email protected]. 

In all emergency situations where you believe a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm and you are unable to contact the club welfare officer then immediate contact should be made with Police, Children’s Social Care, Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), NSPCC Child Protection Helpline or other agencies as appropriate. Take the name and contact details of the person you have spoken to and the incident/referral reference number (if applicable) so you have a record and report this to the club welfare officer as soon as possible.

The Swim England Guide to reporting a child welfare management concern can be read at the link below.

How to Raise a concern or complaint

All Swim England members will adhere to the policies and guidance set out in the Wavepower document, which can be downloaded via the link below. You can also read the full document on this page below (please refresh the page if it does not load right away).

Download the Wavepower 2024 Document Here

Useful Contacts & Links