Child & Youth Risk Management Strategy 2014/2015 Induction Southport SLSC
Why have a documented risk management strategy? Commit to providing and promoting safe environments for children and youth Meet the legislative requirement - Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (the Act) Legally responsible as an officer or committee member to: – act in the interest of the members, so should operate independently and free from influence – Act in good faith – Exercise due care & diligence – Ensure solvency – Meet legislative requirements. Surf Lifesaving is not immune to predators
Numbers SLSQ is committed to providing and promoting safe environments for children and youth. We believe that SLS must show a definite emphasis on this strategy by promoting and supporting its implementation at all levels because: Almost 42% of our total membership are under the age of 18 (12, 606 young people); there were almost 10, 000 junior activities members registered with SLSQ at the end of 2013/14 season; junior activities accounts for 32% of SLSQ’s total membership. Safe environments don’t just happen they require ongoing planning, commitment, and maintenance
What are the Legislative Requirements? To comply with the legislative framework, SLSQ and Club child and youth risk management strategies must: address surf lifesaving’s commitment to creating a safe and supportive service environment within our organisation; strengthen surf lifesaving’s capability to provide such an environment; assist surf lifesaving to manage any particular concerns with respect to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who are involved with the organisation or business; and promote the consistency of surf lifesaving’s approach to risk management, both within the organisation or business and with respect to its compliance with the requirements under the Act.
Where can the Legislative Requirements be found? There are eight minimum mandatory requirements as per the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 that must be included in a Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy: Commitment 1.A statement of commitment 2.Codes of conduct Capability 3.Recruitment, selection, training and management strategies
Mandatory Requirements cont… Concerns Policies and procedures for handling: 4.disclosures and suspicions of harm 5.breaches 6.planning process for activities and special events. Consistency 7.Compliance with the blue card system 8.Strategies for communication and support
Changes to the strategy… Management of the Blue Card System is now handled by the PBSA New Blue Card Forms & Information on the Members Portal – (Folder ref: Library – Member and Club Development - Member Protection – QLD – Blue Card Forms) – Blue Card Scenarios Factsheet V3 – Procedure – How to set notifications for expiring blue cards Templates updated on the Members Portal (Folder ref: Library – Member and Club Development - Member Protection – QLD – Child Youth Risk Management Strategy) – Training Register – Club Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy Action Plan Template – How to deal with receiving a Youth Protection Complaint / Disclosure (Flow Chart) – Flowchart for Reporting Youth Protection Complaint – Important Information for Parents/ Guardians & Carers template Policy Updates on the Members Portal: – Social Media Policy MC04 (Folder ref: Library – Governance, Policies, Forms, SOP's and more – 3 Policy – QLD – Marketing and Communications)
Most important The following documents are most important for practical use: – Summary for Clubs to Manage Child & Youth Protection; – Flow chart for Reporting Youth Protection Complaint; and – How to deal with receiving Youth Protection Complaint.
Who can help? Club/ Branch to add contact name & information here…