Child safe environments

1. Child safe environments 2017

2. A child safe organisation • A child-safe organisation has a commitment to protect children from physical, sexual, emotional and psychological harm and from neglect. • This commitment is more than simply minimising the risk or danger to children. It is about building an environment that is both child-safe and child-friendly. A place where children feel respected, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. • This becomes part of the organisation’s culture, it is reinforced by the policies and procedures, and is understood and supported by all members. • You have created a child-safe organisation when your club recognises its moral and legal responsibilities to ensure that children in its care are safe and builds a safe and positive environment for them. • This approach will help your club to grow and prosper into the future

3. Club member’s commitment 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.

4. Club administrator’s commitment The people who run our club ensure: • Our club promotes 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 knows where to find them.

5. 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 anyway • Respect and look out for each other. Kid’s commitment

6. Minimum requirements of your organisation • Risk management plan -includes risk of harm to children from others • Child safe policy • Guidelines and procedures to support the policy • Codes of conduct • Relevant history assessment (police checks/screenings) • Clear process for dealing with relevant history information • Procedure for recruiting suitable staff and volunteers -(referee checks) • Staff and volunteers actively supported • Education providedfor staff and volunteers in child protection and child safe environments (play by the rules, ORS resources etc) • Encourage input /feedback from children • Ensure awareness around reporting suspected abuse and neglect • Further information from • www.ors.sa.gov.au/create_a_child_safe_environment

7. Recognising abuse and neglect Understanding child abuse is important when recognising and reporting issues Physical-purposefully injuring or threatening to injure Emotional -an attack on 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 13 14 78

8. Indicators of Child Abuse It is important that people working with children are aware of the indicators of abuse and have the confidence to respond to any indication that a child may have been abused. Examples of indicators might be: • bruising, particularly in the face, head or neck region • multiple bruising or injuries - for example, burns, scalds, sprains, dislocations or fractures • injury left untreated • differing versions of how an injury occurred • child/relative advising of abuse • a child, referring to someone else being abused, may mean him/herself • sexual behaviour that is inappropriate for the age of the child • a high level of distrust of other people • an inability to relate well with adults and/or children • extreme attention-seeking behaviour, disruptive or aggressive behaviour and bullying • seeking indiscriminate or inappropriate adult affection.

9. Mandatory notification • Staff and volunteers of recreation and sport groups working with children 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 of child abuse by using threat, intimidation or unfavourable treatment. • Training for mandatory notification is notrequired. free on-line training is available via the Play By The Rules website www.playbytherules.net.au (Why not require that coaches and officials, and maybe even parents and participants complete this? ) • ORS Child Safe Officer education – a child safe officer in your club can assist with building awareness

10. Engaging volunteers Under the Children’s Protection Act 1993 all people working on a regular basis with children require a relevant history assessment to be conducted. This is valid for 3 years. The club has the responsibility to identify these people and ensure they are clear about the obligation and process. This must at least include assessment by the organisation of a police check. A screening by DCSI screening unit is the higher level assessment but costs $57 a volunteer. (perhaps consider having a sausage sizzle to raise money to cover this cost!) 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!

11. Assessing relevant history • This is best managed at an Association level if possible (ask your assoc.) • Assessment must be conducted according to the Standards (DECD) • Individuals privacy must be respected-not committee discussion • Individual must be given opportunity to provide contextual information • Keep documentation if making decision to retain employee despite criminal history Further information contact Office for Rec and Sport for information/advice Ph 84571408

12. Professional boundaries for coaches • Welfare of child is a priority-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 2nd to last child and parents remain until last child collected. • Encourage all participants to be positive and respectful

13. Responsibility of the club Everyone has a responsibility to make sure all participants can enjoy the activity free from any form of abuse or harassment. Ensure you are familiar with your club or Association Member Protection Policy -complaint handling procedures so when issues occur they can be dealt with quickly and appropriately Recommend coaches/committee members complete the free complaint handling online course available through www.playbytherules.net.au

14. Visit the ORS website at • www.ors.sa.gov.au/create_a_child_safe_environment • This page provides further information and resources to assist the club

15. Club culture • What is it? (consider respect, family friendly, welcoming, sideline behaviour, alcohol & drugs, win at all cost?) • How do you determine your club culture? • Ask members what they think-(a simple survey is great) • Ask people outside the club how they see your club • Involve everyone in creating change Points to consider: • Respect for all • Role of coaches (Coaches drive culture) • Community – how does the club contribute to the community • Involve all (including children and young people) Visit: http://www.ors.sa.gov.au/sport_and_recreation/managing_your_club_or_association/ethics_and_culture

16. Resources for organisations • The ‘Keeping children safe in recreation and sport’ – resource booklet -available through ORS • Play By The Rules for online training of volunteers and participants • www.playbytherules.net.au • National and State Sport and Rec organisations- for policies and recommended procedures. • Other web sites - Aust Sport Commission, Sport Medicine Aust, Dept. for Child Protection, DCSI, DECD Child Safe Environments www.decd.sa.gov.au/child- protection/child-safe-environments • 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 ph (08) 84571408 www.ors.sa.gov.au