The new Swim England code of Ethics

As part of achieving its NSPCC Advanced Standard in Child Safeguarding, the Swim England has released an updated Code of Ethics. Read on to learn more.

As part of achieving the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit Advanced Standard in Child Safeguarding, the Swim England has released a revised and shortened Code of Ethics. The new general Code is for:

• Swimmers,
• Parents,
• Coaches and Teachers, and
• Committee members, officials and volunteers who work directly with children.

Code of Ethics

Terms of Reference

The content of this Code of Ethics applies to all those involved within the sport of Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water Swimming and Synchronised Swimming.
The Code of Ethics should be read in conjunction with the Swim England Codes of Conduct contained in Wavepower Swim England Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures).

Swim England Code of Ethics

All individuals within the Swim England aquatic disciplines will at all times:

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person, be
  they adult or child, treating everyone equally within the context of the
  sport.
• Respect the spirit of the sport adhering to the rules and
  laws in and out of the pool, incorporating the concept of friendship and
  respect for others.
• Promote the positive aspects of the sport and never condone
  the use of inappropriate or abusive language, inappropriate
  relationships, bullying, harassment, discrimination or physical
  violence.
• Accept responsibility for their own behaviour and encourage
  and guide all Swim England members and parents of junior members to accept
  responsibility for their own behaviour and conduct.
• Ensure all concerns of a child safeguarding nature are
  referred in accordance with Wavepower (Swim England Child Safeguarding Policy and
  Procedures).
• Conduct themselves in a manner that takes all reasonable measures to protect their own safety and the safety of others.
• Promote the reputation of the sport and never behave or
  encourage or condone others to behave in a manner that is liable to
  bring the sport into disrepute.
• Adhere to Wavepower the Swim England Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
• Adhere to the Swim England Anti-Doping Rules.
• Adhere to the Swim England Equity Policy.
• Adhere to the Swim England Laws and Regulations.
• Adhere to the Swim England Codes of Conduct.

Swim England members should note that this is a general “umbrella” code and is supplemented by the Swim England Codes of Conduct which can be found in the Wavepower 2026 by Swim England https://www.swimming.org/library/documents/7123/download
Swim England Board formally adopted the new Code of Ethics at the Swim England Board meeting held on the November 2025. It can also be found in the 2026 Handbook.

Adult safeguarding

Currently, Wavepower is the Swim England safeguarding policy and procedures document for child safeguarding and did not cover the important, and developing, area of adult safeguarding. For the first time, Wavepower will include an adult safeguarding policy as well as directions on reporting concerns at adults at risk of harm.

Safeguarding changing rooms

Wavepower’s changing room policy prohibits taking photographs with a camera or mobile device in changing areas. This will change in the updated version of Wavepower to prohibit all use of a mobile phone or device in a changing area during Swim England regulated activity.

Approved training

From 2024, anyone who holds a role which Wavepower states requires safeguarding training will need to complete the Swim England Safeguarding course. This is a bespoke course which covers the important and unique aspects of safeguarding in an aquatic environment.

Safer recruitment

Wavepower’s update will clarify Swim England’s position on safer recruitment of paid roles in regulated activity, and it will be mandatory to follow the full safer recruitment actions contained in this policy.

The role of the welfare officer

It will no longer be ‘best practice’ but mandatory that the welfare officer of an organisation is not related to, or in a close relationship with, either the chair/owner/proprietor, or a coach/swimming teacher of the organisation they are the welfare officer for.

Published July 2026