COVID-19 and Teen Mental Health - Advice for ParentsFor many teens, COVID-19 meant missing out on some of the biggest moments in their young lives, with school closed and social events cancelled. Months in lockdown also meant a rise in cyberbullying and body dissatisfaction as teenagers spend more time on social media. So I wanted to share this guide from MyTutor with useful tips and advice for parents to help their teens overcome body image issues, academic anxiety, peer pressure and cyberbullying, including links to other important teen mental health resources - all of which can be helpful in these uncertain times. Teen Mental Health – A Guide for Parents https://www.mytutor.co.uk/blog/teen-mental-health-a-guide-for-parents/
As an association most clubs are nearing the time of getting memberships in order.
Now is a good time to review the current process of the signing and receipt of safeguarding forms.
The current process has members, coaches, officials and volunteers signing the safeguarding forms applicable to their role or membership status.
The key codes of conducts being:
Coaches, Members and Volunteers Code of Conduct
Youth Code of Conduct
Parent Code of Conduct
Officials Code of Conduct
Social Media policy
Anti-Bullying policy
All safeguarding appendices and the Child Protection Policy can be found here.
As part of a new paperless process, all clubs are being asked to include the following section on their membership forms. This will replace the need for paper forms of the listed policies and accountability will be on clubs and members to visit the safeguarding tab to understand the expected standards of behaviour and processes to follow should an incident occur.
All SLSA Wales Coaches, Members and Volunteers and anyone working under the responsibility of SLSA Wales are required to adhere to its safeguarding policies and procedures.
As a member of Surf Life Saving Association of Wales I agree to abide by all of its safeguarding policies and principles.
By signing your membership form you are confirming that you have read and understood the following key policies. This will be a condition of your membership to SLSA Wales.
Coaches, Members and Volunteers Code of Conduct
Parents Code of Conduct
Youth Code of Conduct
Social Media Policy
Anti - Bullying
To find information relating to safeguarding I can visit the SLSA Wales Safeguarding page at
Welcome to SLSA Wales - Surf Life Saving Association of Wales
A copy of the SLSA Wales Child Protection policy can also be found here also.
N.B. in the case of young members, can parents explain the principles of the last 3 policies listed and sign for them where needed.
Your Club Safeguarding Officers -
Elizabeth Thomas
Aberavon
Stuart Penfold
Newgale
Lisa Pritchard
Aberporth
Lynsey P Lewes
Newport
Joanne Hollowoood
Aberystwyth
Natalie Bunston
Pen y Bont
Andrew Davies
Richard Butler
Delyth Clegg
Poppit Sands
Richard Butler
Centurions
Katarina Thomas
Porthcawl
Kate Glover
Cold Knapp
David Walters
Porthmawr
Nicola Curtis
Colwyn Bay
Lesley Page
Rest Bay
Roger Pierce
Colwyn Bay
Sarah Braddon
Rhoose
Leanne Taylor
Crannog
Lindsey Abbott
Rhosneigr
Lyle Bluck
Kenfig Sands
Jayne Hopkins
Sker & Pink Bay
TBC
Langland Bay
Rachel Evans
Southerndown
Rachel Lewis
Llanelli
Tara Morgan
Tenby
Wendy Olsen
Llantwit Major
Allison Woolcock
Vale
Bethan Wall
Mumbles
Zoe Phillips
Whitmore Bay
All safeguarding appendices and the Child Protection Policy can be found here.
Welcome to the Safeguarding area of SLSA WalesEveryone who participates within Surf Life Saving Association of Wales (SLSAW) is entitled to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment. SLSAW and member clubs have a moral and legal obligation to ensure that, when given responsibility for children, coaches, members and volunteers provide them with the highest possible standard of care.Each club should have a Safeguarding Officer (SO) and these should be your first point of contact should you have any concerns about the welfare of a child. The SO is a key part of any clubs personnel, they ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are followed and that club members and members volunteering in a regulated activity role are DBS checked and adhere to the safeguarding principles..Support for Our Young Membershttp://www.nspcc.org.uk - 0808 800 5000 http://www.childline.org.uk - 0800 1111 If you are one of our young members who feel you need to talk to someone outside of your club, organisation or family, then Childline are available 24/7You can contact them about anything. Whatever your worry is. It's better out than in.They are there to support you, listen to you and help you find ways to cope.You are never aloneIf you're worried a child may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety about coronavirus (COVID-19), we've got advice to help you support them.https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/childrens-mental-health/depression-anxiety-mental-health/Reporting forms
If you have a safeguarding concern please speak to your club Safeguarding Officer in the first instance or complete one of the following forms and either give it to your club Safeguarding Officer or send it to the Lead Safeguarding Officer on the email address above.
Membership forms from March 2021 should now contain a safeguarding section explaining what your responsibilities are regarding the SLSA Wales Safeguarding principles. The 5 key codes of condcut should be read by all members and this is to be confirMed on your membership form. This means there is no longer a requirement to complete paper forms and return them to your club Safeguarding Officer or Lead Safeguarding Officer. This should make the process more efficient for all members and personnel.Here is a guide to the forms that are relevant to youFor ParentsParents Code of Conduct Health and Wellbeing form to completed on behalf of their child - electronic copy to be kept by the clubPhotography and Recorded Images Consent Form - electronic copy to be kept by the clubFor YouthYouth Code of Conduct Anti-bullying policy Social Media Policy For all adult Members, Coaches and VolunteersCode of Conduct Coaches, Members and Volunteers Guidance and Expected Standards of the Use of Social MediaOfficials Code of ConductWelcome to the training area of SLSA Wales SafeguardingFor all Coaches, Members & VolunteersUK Coaching have launched a free online course. This toolkit will equip coaches with the knowledge and skills to provide great coaching experiences, as well as support other coaches to begin to better look after themsleves.The 5 pillars of learning cover: Safeguarding - Diversity - Inclusion - Mental Health - Well-BeingComplete the five free Knowledge Checks to earn our Duty to Care Digital BadgeRegister here https://www.ukcoaching.org/duty-to-care to earn your digital badge and share your learning on the SLSA Wales Safeguarding Twitter page along with your clubs name hereSLSA Wales SG TwitterSafeguarding and Protecting Children course for our 16 to 18 year old DBS checked Coaches, Asst Coaches and Club HelpersIt is now mandatory that all of our DBS checked youth members complete the Safeguarding and Protecting Children course tailored for16-18 year olds. Please can you use this link to register yourself on one of these courses and when you have completed it and sent me your certifiate you will be re-imbursed the £30.00 course fee.Both of these training opportunities are run by UK Coaching and they are the same course. If you cannot find a course with available dates then please keep checking as course are added on all the time.UK Coaching - Safeguarding & Protecting Children 16 - 18 (Online Classroom)
COVID-19 and Teen Mental Health - Advice for ParentsFor many teens, COVID-19 meant missing out on some of the biggest moments in their young lives, with school closed and social events cancelled. Months in lockdown also meant a rise in cyberbullying and body dissatisfaction as teenagers spend more time on social media. So I wanted to share this guide from MyTutor with useful tips and advice for parents to help their teens overcome body image issues, academic anxiety, peer pressure and cyberbullying, including links to other important teen mental health resources - all of which can be helpful in these uncertain times. Teen Mental Health – A Guide for Parents https://www.mytutor.co.uk/blog/teen-mental-health-a-guide-for-parents/DBS application - Support and Guidance for Members and Safeguarding OfficersDBS Application ProcessDBS Application FlowchartAnyone applying for a DBS check through SLSA Wales will be required to complete an
Agree to be registered with the Update Service where annual status checks can be completed by the Lead Safeguarding Officer
Agree to attend a Safeguarding and Protecting Children course (where applicable) to be renewed every three years
All safeguarding appendices and the Child Protection Policy can be found here.
Definition of regulated activityTypes of activity - teaching, training, instructing, caring for, supervision, providing advice / guidance on wellbeing, or transport specifically for chlldren (Excludes supervised volunteers)ORIn a limited number of specified places e.g. schools, children's homes and childcare premises. (Excludes supervised volunteers)Regularly
once a week or more
4 or more occasions in a period of 30 days
overnight between 2 - 6 am
* Such day to day supervision as is reasonable in all the circumstances for the purpose of protecting any children concerned - sector specific guidance on supervision
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