Membership Form

Please answer all the questions correctly and as Accurately as you can because these details will be used at the club thoughout you being at the club. If any of your details change just tell one of us at the club and we will update them.

Date Of Birth

Medical Information

Additional Information

Code of Conduct for Coach/ Instructor / Trainer/Assessor

Coaches, instructors, trainers or assessors have a responsibility to support and promote good practice and acceptable standards of behaviour to everyone including, staff, volunteers, club members, participants, parents/carers and spectators in conjunction with RLSS UK Safeguarding Policy and all other organisational trainer and training policies, procedures and codes. Additionally, they must uphold the standards of discipline, training and competency expected of them.

Relationships

Coaches/instructors/trainers/assessors must be concerned with:

• The safety, well-being and protection of all individuals in their charge, ensuring that all training andcompeting demands are not detrimental to the social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs ofthe individual.

• Encouraging independence through guiding participants to accept responsibility for their ownbehaviour and performance within training and competition.

• Ensuring their behaviour is not misinterpreted or open to allegations of favouritism, misconduct orimpropriety, particularly where physical contact with the participant is necessary within appropriatecontexts.

• Ensuring participants and relevant people are aware of their qualifications and experience.

• Refraining from public criticism of other colleagues and professionals– the definition of public in thisinstance means criticism expressed outside of the appropriate reporting process in place before, during or after an activity should concerns about practice arise.

Integrity

Coaches/instructors/trainers/assessors must:

• Abide by the RLSS UK rules and regulations and those made from time to time by relevant governingor accredited bodies as they apply to them.

• Follow fair play and ethical guidelines.

• Ensure that they do not compromise any participant by encouraging methods which could constituteunfair advantage or put at risk the safety or wellbeing of the participants.

• Promote the prevention and educate participants on the misuse of performance enhancing drugs and illegal substances, always abiding by the World Anti-Doping Agency Anti-Doping Code.

• Upon request present and show proof of the details of their training, qualifications and services.

• Ensure that where they are claiming an affiliation, sponsorship or accreditation with any organisation,they do so in truthful and accurate manner.

• Ensure all practices are suitable and relevant dependent on age, maturity and ability for allparticipants.

• Declare to the appropriate body, any criminal convictions and submit to safeguarding checks andcriminal record checks as required.

Confidentiality

The coach/instructor/trainer/assessor and the participant must reach an agreement about what is regarded as confidential information. Confidentiality is defined in detail in Section 9 in the RLSS UK Safeguarding Policy. Confidentiality does not necessarily include disclosure of information to persons who can be judged to have a right to know. For example:

• Evaluation for selection purposes.

• Recommendations for employment.

• In matters of discipline within the RLSS UK activities e.g. sport, competition or events.

• In matters of disciplinary action by a sports organisation or governing body against one of its members.

• Legal, procedural or medical requirements.

• Recommendations to parents/family where the health and safety of participants might be at risk.

• In pursuit of action to protect children, young people or adults at risk from abuse.

Personal Standards

 Coaches/instructors/trainers/assessors within the training or competing environment must not attempt to exert undue influences and pressures in order to obtain personal benefit or reward. They must display high personal standards representing a favourable image of RLSS UK and their affiliated Clubs including:

• Good personal appearance that projects an image of health, cleanliness and functional efficiency.

• Not smoking or drinking whilst delivering training or an activity or whilst they have a responsibility tocare for children, young people and adults at risk.

Competence 

All coaches/instructors/trainers/assessor:

• Have a responsibility to themselves and their participants to maintain their effectiveness in their workand delivery of services.

• Should be able to recognise and accept when to refer or recommend participants to otherstructures/organisations, colleagues or training providers and clubs.

• Is responsible for verifying the competence of participants.

• Should plan and prepare for sessions and deliver an appropriate and progressive programme.

• Will co-operate with colleagues from own and other professions.

Safety As far as is reasonably possible, coaches/instructors/trainers/assessors and have a responsibility to:

• Safeguard and protect participants from all forms of abuse as set out in the RLSS UK SafeguardingPolicy.

• Support and promote discipline and maintain standards of conduct with due respect to the governingbody.

• Establish and maintain a safe working place including in their training, assessing, competition andother work environment.

• Ensure as far as possible the safety of the participants with whom they work.

• Ensure that they attend training in safeguarding and child protection and ongoing continuousdevelopment to keep themselves up-to-date.

• Ensure that participants are aware of their personal responsibility to keep themselves and others safe.

• Ensure that all activities and training take into account the age, maturity, experience, disability, specialneeds, increased risk to abuse e.g. minority ethnic groups, religion and faith, gender and other considerations that may affect the ability of the participants to participate safely. A detailed guidance on the Awareness to Increased Risk is set out in Section 5 of RLSS UK Safeguarding Policy.

• Work together with other colleagues, professionals and specialists in the field including registered medical and ancillary practitioners in the diagnosis, treatment and management of their participants’ medical and psychological needs.

Codes of Conduct for Participants

As a Participant I will:

• Read and keep to this Code at all times.

• Treat everyone equally and do not discriminate on the grounds of age, religious beliefs, race, gender,social classes, lack of ability or any other consideration.

• Be a positive role model and a good ambassador for my Club and act in a way that displays the values of RLSS UK.

• Be responsible for my actions and conduct myself in an appropriate manner and display courtesy and good manners to others.

• Respect and cooperate with everyone and never engage in abusive peer behaviour e.g. take unfair advantage of others, pick on or make fun of each other including displaying bullying, offensive, discriminatory or aggressive/inappropriate behaviour or language.

• Not abuse or misuse any relationship of trust or position of power, or influence held by me.

• Report any concerns about myself or others especially, children or adults at risk to the Club Welfare Officer, Branch Safeguarding Officer or Safeguarding Case Officer at RLSS UK HQ.

• Promote clubs rules, policies, procedures, guidance and codes of conduct to other participants especially those new to the club.

• Play fairly within the rules of the sport, competition or event and never deliberately cheat or be dishonest.

• Be responsible for informing my club or event organisers about any known medical condition, previous injuries, illness, disability or additional support needs that may affect my participation in activities, sports, competition and events.

• Not participate under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances.

• Not improve individual performance with the use of banned substances or banned techniques.

• Not do and say nothing that will bring RLSS UK and the Club into disrepute for e.g. making an inappropriate comment or communication about a fellow participant, club official, event organisers, volunteer, staff or coach/instructor/trainer/assessor including but not exclusive of social media, email, direct or physical communication. 

• Accept the decisions of Officials without question or complaint. If I have a complaint, I will let the person responsible for the activity e.g. the Event Organiser, Team Captain, Trainer or Coach, to ask the necessary questions and avoid words or conduct which may mislead an Official.

• Give maximum effort and strive for the best performance during a training session, competition or an event.

• Hold the correct qualifications for the level of competition or event I am participating in.

• Learn to accept success and failure, victory and defeat with humility and dignity and without excessive emotional displays.

• Abide and follow the instructions given by the person responsible for the activity or event provided it does not contradict the Codes of Conduct.

• Applaud good performance of other participants regardless of the team they play for.

• Abide by disciplinary sanctions that might be imposed on me.

• Always remember that the aim of participating in RLSS UK activity including lifesaving is to improve my skills, it is not about the results.

Code of Conduct for Staff and Volunteers

As members of staff and volunteers, we will,

• Treat everyone equally and do not discriminate on the grounds of age, religious beliefs, race, gender, social classes and lack of ability or any other consideration: this includes co-volunteers, staff, club members, participants, visitors and all those we interact with at RLSS UK.

• Respect everyone and never engage in appropriate physical or verbal contact with others or abusive peer behaviour or take unfair advantage of others, pick on or make fun of each other including displaying offensive, discriminatory or aggressive/inappropriate behaviour or language.

• Remember that actions, words and gestures can sometimes be misinterpreted, regardless of their good intentions.

• Ensure the safety of participants by providing effective supervision and proper planning of organised activities- activities should involve more than one person being present, or at least in sight or hearing of others.

• Not exaggerate or trivialise abuse, bullying, harassment or victimisation of others.

• Report any safeguarding concerns about participants especially, children or adults at risk to the Club Welfare Officer, Branch Safeguarding Officer or Safeguarding Case Officer at RLSS UK HQ and statutoryagencies where appropriate.

• Ensure that safeguarding incidents and accidents are recorded in line with the RLSS UK’s Safeguardingprocedures.

• Be a positive role model and set a good example of behaviour for RLSS UK and the Club and act in away that displays the values of lifesaving and promote objectives of the Club at all times.

• Appreciate the efforts of all young people and not over-train the young people and never exert undueinfluence over participants to obtain personal benefit or reward.

• Ensure the organisation is aware of and follows best practice guidelines to safeguard children, youngpeople and adults at risk from harm and abuse.

• Administer minor first aid in the presence of others and where required refer more serious incidentsto the club, organisation or event “first aider” and contact emergency services if required.

• Work together with others to ensure the safety of participants in their responsibility.

• Not abuse or misuse any relationship of trust or position of power, or influence held by me. I will notengage in a sexual relationship children or adults at risk.

• Maintain confidentiality about sensitive information.

• Refrain from the consumption of alcohol or illegal substances during activities or events.

• Not condone the violation of rules, rough play or encourage individual performance with the use ofbanned substances or banned techniques.

• Dress to the required standard when carrying out our roles.

• Not spend excessive amounts of time alone with children or adults at risk unless there are exceptionalcircumstances or the reason for this has been firmly established and agreed with the Club WelfareOfficer, Branch Safeguarding or club management or Safeguarding Designated Lead.

• Not take photos of children or adults at risk without permission.

• Not invite or allow children or adults at risk to go to your home or stay with you unsupervised.

• Not take children or adults at risk in a car on journeys, however short.

• Ensure my own roles and responsibilities, and those of everyone you are responsible for, are clearlyoutlined and everyone has the information, training and support to carry out.

• Ensure that you have consent from participants before taking or using photos and videos.

• Maintain a safe and appropriate distance from participants.

Code of Conduct for Parents/Carers

As a Parent/ Carer, I will:

• Read and keep to this Code at all times.

• Teach my child, young person or adult at risk in my care, to treat everyone equally and not todiscriminate on the grounds of age, religious beliefs, care, gender, social classes, lack of ability or anyother consideration.

• Report any concerns about a child or an adult at risks welfare to the Club Welfare Officer, BranchSafeguarding Officer or Safeguarding Case Officer at RLSS UK HQ.

• Report any suspected misconduct by anyone involved in RLSS UK.

• Always conduct myself in an appropriate manner and display courtesy and good manners to othersand act as a positive role model for children and adults at risk.

• Promote the clubs rules and code of conduct to others especially those new to the club and RLSS UKactivities.

• Ensure that my child or adult at risk are on time for all activities and events.

• Focus on the participant’s efforts rather than winning or losing.

• Abide by the sanctions that might be imposed on me.

• Support all efforts to remove verbal, physical and racist abuse from RLSS UK and its clubs.

• Not force an unwilling child or adult participant to take part in RLSS UK activities.

• Encourage everyone to play by the rules and respect officials, event organisers or any other personresponsible for an activity.

• Turn defeat into victory by helping children or adults at risk to improve their skills and demonstrategood sport person behaviour.

• Never ridicule or shout at a participant for making a mistake or losing at an event or competition.

• Remember that participants are involved in RLSS UK activity for their enjoyment-NOT MINE.

• Be responsible for informing the club or event organisers about any medical condition, illness,disability or additional support needs of the child or adult at risk.

• Refrain from publicly questioning the judgement or honesty of officials. If I have a complaint, I will letthe person responsible for the activity e.g. the event organiser, team captain, trainer or coach, to ask the necessary questions and avoid words or conduct which may be inappropriate or mislead an Official.

• Respect the decision of coaches, instructors, trainers, assessors, staff, volunteers, officials and event organisers, they know about RLSS UK activities including lifesaving, sport or competition and the ability and capability of participants.

• Recognise the value and importance of staff and volunteers. They give their time, energy, and resources to provide recreational activities for others including my child.

• Be a good example by recognising fair play and applauding good performances including your team or competitor.

• Not engage in any communication to bring the name of organisation and the club into disrepute or make an inappropriate comment about a fellow participant, club official, event organisers, volunteer, staff or coach/instructor/trainer/assessor including but not exclusive of social media, email, direct or physical communication.

• Not behave in a way that would disrespect or harm anyone involved in RLSS UK.

• Insist on fair and disciplined play- do not accept foul play, cheating or any consideration whatsoeverwith a view to influence activities e.g. sport or competition outcomes.

Code of Conduct for Spectators/Visitors

As a Spectator or Visitor I will:

• Read and keep to this Code at all times.

• Treat everyone equally and not discriminate on the grounds of age, religious beliefs, care, gender,social classes, lack of ability or any other consideration.

• Remain in the designated area for spectators or viewing areas (where provided).

• Encourage good performance and fair play by all participants irrespective of their ability.

• Never ridicule any individual participant regardless of the team they play for.

• Always conduct myself in an appropriate manner and display courtesy and good manners to others.

• I will act a positive role model for everyone involved in RLSS UK activities.

• Promote the clubs internal rules and code of conduct to other participants especially those new tothe club and RLSS UK activities.

• Abide by the sanctions that might be imposed on me.

• Insist on fair and disciplined play- do not accept foul play, cheating or any consideration whatsoeverwith a view to influence activities e.g. sport or competition outcomes.

• Respect the decision of coaches, instructors, trainers, assessors, staff, volunteers, officials and eventorganisers, they know about RLSS UK activities including lifesaving, sport or competition and theability and capability of participants.

• Refrain from publicly questioning the judgement or honesty of officials. If I have a complaint, I will letthe person responsible for the activity or event to ask the necessary questions and avoid words orconduct which may be inappropriate or mislead an Official.

• Not attend activities e.g. events, competition or sport under the influence of alcohol or illegalsubstances.

• Not engage in any communication to bring the name of RLSS UK and my club into disrepute or makean inappropriate comment about a fellow participant, club official, event organisers, volunteer, staff or coach/instructor/trainer/assessor including but not exclusive of social media, email, direct or physical communication.

• Not behave in a way that would disrespect or harm anyone involved in RLSS UK.

• Do not distract anyone involved in an activity in any way at all.

• Remember that participants are involved in RLSS UK activity for their personal enjoyment- not mine.