Our Club: SUPPORTS Kids Is SAFE for Kids Is FUN for Kids

A Child Safe Environment A Child-Safe organisation is committed to protecting children from physical, sexual, emotional and psychological harm and from neglect. This commitment extends beyond creating an environment free from risk or danger. It is about building an environment that is both Child-Safe and Child-Friendly. An environment in which children feel respected, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. This commitment is embedded in the organisation’s culture, reflected in its policies and procedures, and is understood and practiced at all levels. You have created a Child-Safe Organisation when your Club or group recognises its moral and legal responsibilities to ensure that children in its care are safe and establishes a safe and positive environment for them. This approach will help your Club to grow and prosper into the future

Everyone in our club: Is committed to promoting our kids’ wellbeing and protecting them from harm. Behaves according to our Club’s Code of Conduct Is always on the lookout for potential risks to the safety of our kids Values and respect kids’ involvement and contributions to our Club Knows how to respond to and report behaviours that are unsafe or harmful to our kids. Club Members Commitment

The people who run our Club ensure: Our Club rules promote the wellbeing and safety of kids All reasonable steps are taken to ensure our staff, coaches, officials and volunteers are suitable to work with our kids All our staff, coaches, officials and volunteers receive ongoing training, support and development about working with kids Our kids can get involved in helping to keep our Club Child Safe and Child Friendly Everyone involved in our club knows our Child Safe rules and policies and where to find them. Club Members Commitment

Our kids: Know it is their right to feel safe and supported in our club Actively participate in our club’s activities and “have a say” about things that are important to them Will tell someone they trust straight away if they or their friends feel unsafe or are being hurt in any way Respect and look out for each other. Club Members Commitment

Recognising Abuse and Neglect Understanding child abuse is important in recognising and reporting issues Physical -purposefully injuring or threatening to injure Emotional -an attack non child’s self esteem (bullying, name calling, ridiculing, threatening, intimidating or isolating) Sexual -any sex act or sexual threat Neglect -failure to provide the basic physical and emotional needs Everyone in a recreation group or sporting club has a responsibility to care for and protect all children who participate in its activities. CHILD ABUSE REPORT LINE

Mandatory Notification Staff and volunteers of recreation and sport groups working with children now have a legal obligation to report any suspected child abuse and /or neglect based upon reasonable grounds. It is an offence to prevent a person from making a report through threat, intimidation or unfavourable treatment Training for mandatory notification is not required however Recreation and Sport has available free on-line training via the Play By The Rules website Why not require that all members, coaches, officials, parents and participants complete this?

Risk management plan includes risk of harm to children Child safe environment policy outlines organisation commitment Guidelines and procedures to support policy Codes of conduct Criminal history assessment obligations are known Clear process for dealing with criminal history information Procedure for recruiting suitable staff and volunteers Staff and volunteers actively supported Training and development provided for staff and volunteers in child protection and Child safe environments Encourage participation of children in organisation Education of staff and volunteers about role and responsibility in reporting suspected abuse and neglect Further information from Minimum Requirements of the Organisation :

Engaging Volunteers With the introduction of the recent changes in the Child Protection Act all people working on a regular basis with children will require a police check. The club has the responsibility to identify these people and ensure they are clear about the obligation and procedure. Determine other strategies to screen volunteers such as referee checks, evidence of qualifications and training, Is there additional support or training the club can offer? (introduction to coaching, play by the rules training (free and online), child safe officer training, etc) Volunteers should be provided with job descriptions, copy of member protection policy, codes of conduct, procedures or other club resources to ensure they are well informed. A well supported volunteer with clearly defined roles is more likely to be retained!

Assessing a Recorded Criminal History This is best managed at State Assoc level or Association level-check with then regarding the procedure. Individuals privacy must be respected when assessing criminal history – it is not a committee discussion Individual must be given opportunity to provide contextual information Keep documentation when making decision to retain employee despite criminal history Further information at or contact Office for Rec and Sportwww.families.sa.gov.au/childsafe

Professional Boundaries for coaches Welfare of child is paramount importance-Plan your activities / equipment needs (especially safety) Know policies, complaint processes and codes of behaviour club has in place Physical contact with participants must be appropriate and seek permission before contact Be careful about which part and how much of your body is in contact with child’s body Avoid unaccompanied and unobserved activities with a child. Use positive and age appropriate language Knock before entering change rooms and ensure another adult is present. Club policy that after training or matches 2 nd to last child and parents remain until last child collected. Encourage all participants to be positive and respectful

Responsibility of the Club You have a responsibility to make sure all participants can enjoy the activity free from any form of abuse or harassment. Ensure Member Protection Policy includes complaint handling so all members are aware of the correct procedures when issues occur so they can be dealt with quickly and appropriately.

Resources for organisations The ‘Keeping children safe in recreation and sport’ – resource booklet Play By The Rules for online training of volunteers and participants National and State organisations- for policies and recommended procedures. Web sites - Aust Sport Commission, Sport Medicine Aust, Dept for Families and Communities Training courses for your staff and or volunteers (Coaching, complaint handling, Child Safe Officer– check ORS website for future dates) Office for Recreation and Sport or phone (08) www.recsport.sa.gov.au