One Swim England Summit set to discuss strengthening safeguarding through everyday awareness

Swim England is set to continue strengthening its commitment to safeguarding by delivering its ‘From small signals to safe aquatics: How everyone’s awareness builds safer cultures’ session, which is part of the Inspire theme, at this year’s One Swim England Summit.

While safeguarding concerns can sometimes appear sudden or unexpected, they often begin with subtle signs, whether it’s small comments, changes in behaviour or dynamics that don’t quite feel right – but they can be easily overlooked. This session will therefore aim to explore why early reporting matters, how it can reveal emerging patterns and why sharing seemingly low-level observations early plays a critical role in preventing critical safeguarding issues.

The session will be led by Swim England’s National Safe Aquatics Manager James Diamond-Jones, Director of Safe Aquatics and Welfare Simon Davis and National Safe Aquatics Development Officer Fiona Walpole-Bourne, alongside former elite swimmer and coach, Cassie Pattern. Together, they’ll explore how safer sport cultures grow from everyday awareness and early reporting, through personal reflections and professional safeguarding insight.

Why attend this session?

Whether you’re a coach, club owner, swimming teacher, volunteer, or have any responsibility in creating a safe environment within the aquatics community, this session will allow you to gain invaluable insight and guidance into recognising the early indicators of concern. The panel will help highlight why spotting small, consistent behaviours and comments shape the culture in aquatics.

With the help of practical scenarios and open discussions, the session will encourage you to challenge the way you think about “low-level” concerns, with the hope you leave ready to practise one simple message: noticing matters and reporting early isn’t about blame – it’s about building a safer sport, together.

Join us at The Vox, Birmingham on Thursday 19 March 2026 and be part of the conversation shaping the future of aquatics.

Book your tickets now