Changing room policy

Dursley Dolphins will follow the Swim England changing room policy in the Wavepower document.

This policy has been written using the guidance from the Swim England changing room policy guidelines detailed in Wavepower 2016-2019

Under the duty of care to safeguard children, Dursley Dolphins has a responsibility for the wellbeing of children in the changing rooms.

Responsibility during club sessions

The view of Swim England and Dursley Dolphins is that while a child is training or being taught, they remain under the responsibility and duty of care of the person who is teaching or coaching them at that time. If a swimmer goes out of the pool area, the coach or teacher should be aware of this. If the child fails to return within a reasonable time, or appears to be upset upon leaving the poolside, the coach/teacher should request a suitable official to check on them. It is Swim England and Dursley Dolphins best practice for two persons to look for the member (the second person could be a senior member or a parent).

If a complaint is received about an incident that has occurred in the changing room between a swimmer or a member of the club and any other person, the club has a duty to act upon that concern as appropriate, following the recommended Swim England guidance. If the incident involves a person not associated with the club, the pool manager/school site should be made aware and consideration given as to whether the statutory agencies need informing.

Information for parents regarding changing facilities

The changing facilities at our different venues vary and at some pools are shared both by club members and members of the general public. The following policy should be observed;

  • At Wycliffe pool there are separate changing facilities for male and female swimmers. Male changing room entry is on the right as you enter the pool building. For female changing room the swimmers must enter the poolside to access them to the left.
  • At Dursley Pool it is a mixed changing village.
  • Swimmers follow the code of conduct in the changing rooms at all times.
  • Parents should not be in the changing room whilst swimmers are changing, unless their child is aged 8 or under or requires additional specific assistance. In such circumstances the parent or carer should be of the same gender as the child and should only be in the changing room to assist the child changing. Once the child is changed and has gone on to poolside the parent or carer should leave the changing room.
  • It is Dursley Dolphins policy that PARENTS MUST NOT ENTER THE CHANGING ROOMS AT ANY TIME either before, during or after a session as other swimmers may be changing, unless exceptional circumstances as detailed above. If, in exceptional circumstances, a parent or carer does need to enter the changing room, the coach should be made aware and the changing rooms checked prior to entry.
  • Parents/swimmers are also reminded that taking of pictures or video using cameras or any device capable of taking pictures is not allowed in any changing rooms at any time.
  • In addition, Swim England do not advise adults to supervise changing facilities as that places them and the children at risk of allegations of improper behaviour. However if appropriate an officer may be place outside of the doors for the changing room to allow children to call for assistance.