PAS 520:2017

What is this PAS about?

It gives safeguarding recommendations to people who are teaching children aged 0 – 4 years to swim and associated professional photographers. These recommendations cover all aspects of operating, managing and developing a commercial swimming business or programme in this specialist area, with a clear emphasis on safeguarding children.

Who is this PAS for?

• Swimming schools
• Suppliers of underwater photography
• Relevant professional bodies
• Pool owners, operators and managers
• National governing bodies and related organizations
• Relevant children's and sporting educational charities
• Safeguarding organizations (e.g. local government safeguarding boards)
• Parents, parents groups and consumer groups
• Swimming apparel retailers
• Central government departments
• Leisure/holiday providers
• Universities and academia

Why should you use this PAS?

It sets minimum expected levels of adequate safeguarding for teaching very young children to swim and any associated photography, thus reducing the risks for children, their parents and for service providers.

What’s changed since the last update?

A number of elements were reviewed and changes were introduced concerning:

• Recommendations about swimming school class types and teaching ratios
• Recommended qualifications
• Alignment of wording (e.g. ‘responsible adult’, ‘member of staff’), to avoid confusion