The Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA) is committed to the safety, wellbeing, and empowerment of all children accessing our programs and services including indigenous children, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and children and adults with disability.

ASSA believes its Member Swim Schools must hold the same commitment.

ASSA has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of child abuse. We support the rights of children and will act as quickly as possible, guided by the law, the ASSA Constitution and Policies, to ensure an environment is maintained where children and all participants feel safe, respected, valued and empowered at all times.

ASSA expects its Member Swim Schools to have the same approach.

In 2018, ASSA engaged Child Protection experts, Child Safeguard, to ensure that the Swim School environment is child safe. ASSA is working with Child Safeguard on a range of measures towards this outcome.

With ASSA being uniquely, solely focused on Swim Schools, we understand the responsibility and challenge of working to ensure a child safety culture and a safe and inclusive environment for all children participating at Member Swim Schools throughout Australia. Our commitment encompasses the rights and wellbeing of our personnel, members, contractors and volunteers and requires their active participation in building and maintaining a secure environment for all participants. We also acknowledge that these groups and individuals provide a valuable contribution to the positive experiences of children involved in the teaching of swimming and water safety.

We will support all Member Swim Schools to implement policies and procedures, from human resource management to reporting processes, with conscious action and proactive behaviors to protect the safety and welfare of children and ensure all feel confident to report inappropriate behavior. We recognise that Member Swim Schools, administrators, volunteers, parents and participants must understand the important responsibilities they each have in relation to child safety and we are committed to educating our community in this regard.

Together we pledge to require members to provide an environment where children feel safe, respected, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.

The President, Vice President, Directors and CEO of the Australian Swim Schools Association.

11 April 2019