There must be a pool and/or a dry-land duty rota for coaching and teaching activities. The duty rota requires an adult in addition to coaching or teaching staff to oversee the teaching/coaching session involving young people reducing the risks to both children and adults. This ensures someone is on hand for any emergency that might arise.
If you are unable to do parent duty you must swop with another parent and advise the secretary via email
Role of person on duty
- The person on duty must be over eighteen, and may be an older member of the club, i.e. it does not need to be a parent. However, an athlete may not be the person on duty for their own session or squad
- The coach/teacher must be able to rely on the person on duty being present, some sessions take place at more vulnerable times e.g. early morning
- The person on duty should have a full view and hearing of the pool area; this cannot be achieved by sitting up in a stand or behind protective screens or glass.
- The person on duty should not interfere with the safe coaching or teaching of the session. However, if a young person is in imminent danger the issue must be dealt with immediately
- Concerns should be brought to the coach or teacher in charge of the session or the Children’s Officer following a session
- The person on duty is required to remain until all the young people have been collected. Any parent persistently arriving late or being delayed picking up their child/children should be reported to the coach/leader or the committee – this is a breach of the code of conduct and should be dealt with accordingly
- Find an alternative in the event they are not able to attend; it is the responsibility of the person scheduled to be on duty to do this
- Be in full view of the pool
- Ensure an attendance record for the session is kept – this can be kept with the coach and should be signed by the coach and person on duty
- Be aware of children leaving and returning to pool, e.g. a child should return to the pool after visiting the toilet
- Allow the coach/teacher freedom to get on with the session – sometimes coaches or teachers need to feedback to individuals on one to one basis, this should be in open view
- Take note of any problems that occur – refer any issues directly to the coach or teacher in charge of the session or, if not possible, to the Children’s Officer or club secretary
- Know how or where to access young people’s contact details in cases of illness or emergency or in the event the session is cancelled
- In cases of emergency, help the coach/teacher by being an extra adult to supervise children or to assist with a response to the emergency