CHILD PROTECTION
Risk Management Program
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Child Protection Risk Management Strategy Checklist Child Protection Policy Statement |
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Receiving and Reporting Disclosures of Harm |
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Appendix |
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Appendix A – |
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Appendix B – Code of Conduct |
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Appendix C – Incident Report Form |
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Appendix D – Child Protection Risk Management Plan |
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Appendix E – Blue Card Register |
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Appendix F – Recommended Guidelines : Coaches and Officials |
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Parents |
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Drop off and pick up or participants by parents/guardians |
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Transport of Players/Participants |
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Overnight Trips |
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The use of images of children |
24 |
Elements of a Risk Management Strategy for child protection
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Does this already exist?
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If yes, no further action required (list the location of this information, or any required amendments)
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If No, what is the Action plan to complete requirements
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Yes
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Location (e.g. in season handbook)
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No
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Action
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A statement about the commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and the protection of children from harm
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A code of conduct for interacting with children and young people
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Procedures for recruiting, selecting, training and management persons engaged or proposed to be engaged by the operator, as the procedures relate to the safety and wellbeing of children and the protection of children from harm.
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Policies and procedures for handling disclosures or suspicions of harm, including reporting guidelines
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A plan for managing breaches of the risk management strategy
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Policies and procedures for compliance with blue card legislation
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Risk Management plans for high risk activities and
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Strategies for communication and support including;
- written information for parents and persons engaged by the operator that includes details of the operators risk management strategy or where the strategy can be assessed; and - training materials for persons engaged by the operator to: help identify risks of harm and how to outline the operations risk management |
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Policy Title |
Child Protection Policy |
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Policy |
We are committed to providing a child and youth safe environment within which our young participant’s can enjoy the game of Rugby Union. We acknowledge that our staff and volunteers provide a valuable contribution to the positive experiences of our young participant’s. We aim to ensure this continues and to protect the safety and welfare of our young participant’s. Several measures will be used to achieve this; § Prohibiting any form of abuse against children; § Carefully selecting and screening people whose role requires them to have regular contact with children. [screening procedures as per state legislation are outlined in the appendix] § Ensuring that our code of conduct is promoted, enforced and reviewed. § Providing procedures for raising concerns or complaints; and § Providing education and or information to those involved in our sport on child abuse and child protection. We require that any child who is abused or anyone that reasonably suspects that a child has been or is being abused by someone within our sport, to report it immediately to the police or relevant government agency and the clubs nominated contact. All allegations of child abuse will be dealt with promptly, seriously, sensitively and confidentially. A person will not be victimized for reporting an allegation of child abuse and the privacy of all persons concerned will be respected. If anyone bound by this policy reasonably suspects that a child is being abused by his or her parent/s, they are advised to contact the relevant government department. |
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Policy Objective and Rationale |
The purpose of these procedures is to provide guidelines to effectively manage a child safe environment for young participants. |
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Responsibilities |
It is the responsibility of the person or persons carrying out the task to ensure that the correct procedures are employed. The overall responsibility rests with the management of this club. |
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Impacted Parties |
This policy applied to the following, whether they are in a paid or unpaid/voluntary capacity: § Individuals sitting on boards, committees and sub committees; § Employees and volunteers; § Support personnel (e.g. managers, physiotherapists, psychologists, masseurs, sport trainers); § Coaches and assistant coaches; § Athletes and players; § Referees, umpires and other officials; § Members, including life members; § Affiliated Clubs and associated organizations; § Parents, Guardians, spectators and sponsors to the full extent that is possible. |
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Contributors |
QRU Community Rugby Department |
This policy document will remain active with annual reviews undertaken to ensure its relevance.
____________________________________ Director -Grassrootsrootsrugby.com
Date: January 1, 2010
Review Date: January 1, 2011
An allegation of child abuse is a very serious matter and must be handled with a high degree of sensitivity. The initial response to a complaint that a child has been allegedly abused should be immediate if the incident/s are serious or criminal in nature then the
The following is a basic outline of the key processes to follow. More information can be obtained from the Queensland Government Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian.
You have reasonable grounds to suspect harm if;
§ A child or young person tells you they have been harmed
§ Someone else, for example another child, parent, or staff member tells you that harm has occurred or is likely to occur.
§ A child or young person tell you they know someone who has been harmed (it is possible that they are referring to themselves)
§ You are concerned at significant changes in the behavior of a child or young person, or the presence of new unexplained and suspicious injuries, or
§ You see the harm happening
Disclosures may sound like:
§ “I think I saw…”
§ “Someone told me that…”
§ “Just think you should know”
§ “I’m not sure what I want you to do, but…”
Any disclosure of harm is important and must be acted upon, regardless of whether:
§ The harm to the child or young person has been caused by a person within or outside you orgnanisation, or
§ The child or young person disclosing the harm to you is from within or outside your organization.
Irrespective of the source of harm, i.e. whether form within your organization (internal) or outside your organsiation (external), a disclosure may be made to a member of (insert affiliate/club name).
Step 1 – Receiving a disclosure
There is not one set of rules to follow when a child or young person tells you that harm has occurred to them, or another person discloses an incident of harm to a child or young person. However the following actions may be of assistance:
§ Don’t Panic – you may be the first person to whom the disclosure is made. Your reaction may determine whether the person making the disclosure trusts you with the information.
§ Find a private place to talk – privacy may help the person making the disclosure fell more comfortable and less concerned about telling you what they have to say.
§ Listen – when presented with a disclosure of harm, don’t say “I won’t tell”, and don’t promise to keep secrets. You should reassure the person they have done the right thing in telling and explain that you need to tell someone else who can help them and finally reassure them you will only tell someone who will make them safe.
§ Believe the person – it is not up to you to judge whether a child, young person or anyone else is telling the truth – always act on the basis that what you have been told is the truth.
§ Don’t ask leading questions – these are questions that tend to suggest an answer.
The person receiving the complaint should obtain and clarify basic details (if possible) such as:
§ Child’s name, age and address;
§ Dates
§ Times
§ Location
§ Who was present
Include a detailed description of:
§ Exactly what was said, using “I said,” “they said,” statements
§ The questions you asked
§ Any comments you made, and
§ Your actions following the disclosure.
If you are taking notes as the disclosure is occurring, explain why you are doing this and why it is important, i.e. to ensure an accurate record for any subsequent investigation. If the disclosure is being made by a child or young person, remember to explain this to them in a way that is appropriate for their age and understanding.
Any reports or documents of harm must be kept confidential and secure.
Step 2 – Reporting a disclosure
Suspicions of harm which may involve a serious offence against a child or young person must be always taken seriously.
(Insert affiliate/club name) first responsibility is to report it either to the Queensland Police Service or the Department of Child Safety. This should be done by the person whom the disclosure was made, as they will have the best knowledge of what was said.
Under no circumstances should any member or club of
§ Conduct their own investigation to substantiate claims
§ Hold its own internal hearing (a “kangaroo court”), or
§ Attempt to mediate a settlement of the matter instead of notifying relevant authorities.
Investigations conducted by clubs or members could lead to:
§ The compromising of future legal proceedings
§ The destruction of evidence by an accused person
§ Intimidation of the person disclosing the information, or
§ Intimidation of the child or young person being harmed (if the disclosure was made by somebody else).
The
The Queensland Police Service will investigate disclosures of suspected or substantiated harm to child or young people. This will often be done by officers of the Juvenile Aid Bureau or Child Abuse Unit.
If a disclosure is made to you, contact your closest Juvenile Aid Bureau or local police station and tell them you suspect, or have been told of, someone who has been harmed.
When contacting the police, they will want to know information such as:
§ The details of any disclosure of harm
§ The name, age, and the address of the child or young person harmed
§ Where the child or young person is at that point in time
§ Any identifying information regarding the alleged perpetrator of the harm, and
§ Your details
The Department of Child Safety
Where the disclosure indicates that harm may have been caused by a family member, or where parents are not acting to protect their child from harm, the incident must be reported to the Department of Child Safety through your local service centre.
Disclosures of harm relate to shared family care or residential services for children and young people must also be reporting to the Department of Child Safety.
However, where the disclosure of harm indicates a criminal offence may have taken place, such as sexual assault of a child or young person, the matter should be reported to the Queensland Police Service.
Not sure who to contact?
If you are unsure whether the harm disclosed has been caused by a family member or someone outside the family, contact the Queensland Police Service. If it is a matter for the Department of Child Safety, the Police Service will refer the matter to them.
Appendix A:
This information is subject to change at any time. Refer to the Queensland Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian’s website: www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au or contact 1800 688 275
In
Our organisation is responsible for applying to the Queensland Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG) for Working with Children Checks on employees and volunteers who work with children or young people.
All our volunteers and certain paid employees that work with children or young people in the following categories of employment must apply for a blue card:
§ *schools – employees other than teachers including non-teaching staff
§ Private teaching, coaching or tutoring
§ *education programs conducted outside of schools
§ Sport or active recreation
Categories marked with a * are retrospectively screened. This means all people who work in these categories of employment must hold a blue card regardless of when they started work.
Application forms to apply for a suitability notice for a paid employee, volunteer or person carrying on a regulated business can be downloaded from www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au . Screening for volunteers is free and paid employees and people carrying on a regulated business are $40.00 at the time of writing this.
1. Employees who work, or are likely to work, with children and young people for at least:
· eight consecutive days, or
· once a week, each week, over four weeks, or
· once a fortnight, each fortnight, over eight weeks, or
· once a month, each month over six months
Must undergo a criminal history check.
Paid employees can begin or continue to work in regulated employment while waiting for the outcome of their blue card application.
People working in regulated employment, which is ‘one-off’ or on a short-term basis (where the duration of their employment is less than that listed above) are not required to undergo a criminal history check.
If the Rugby Union organisation knows or reasonably suspects that an employee who is not retrospectively checked has a criminal history relevant to the working with children or young people, the Rugby Union organisation can apply for a blue card for that person. The application form for this is a ‘Current Employee blue card application form’.
Recent amendments to the Act require Rugby Union organisations to develop and implement a risk management strategy to promote the well-being of children in their care and protect them from harm.
The strategy caters for the following types of employees:
§ A person who has started work pending the outcome of their blue card application
§ A blue card holder
§ A person in regulated employment who is not required to hold a blue card, and
§ A person who the Commissioner is reassessing.
2. Volunteers working with children in our association/club must have a criminal history check. Application forms for us to apply for a suitability notice for a volunteer can also be downloaded from www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au. Screening for volunteers is free.
Exemptions
The following people are exempt from the Working with Children Check:
§ children under 18 who are volunteers (except students required to work in regulated employment as part of their studies with the rugby union organisation)
§ Parents who volunteer their services or conduct activities through the Rugby Union organisation or are involved in sport and active recreation activities where their child is also a member of the Rugby Union organisation.
(Only exemptions relevant to the activities of Rugby Union have been listed above.)
3. Businesses: A person carrying on the following regulated businesses within rugby union must also apply for a blue card:
§ private teaching, coaching or tutoring
§ education programs conducted outside of schools
§ providers of recreational activities such as sporting camps and programs (excluding amusement parks)
(Only the regulated businesses which conduct activities of relevance to rugby union have been listed above.)
This code is designed
· To return the element of enjoyment and satisfaction to Junior Rugby.
· To make adults aware that young people play to satisfy themselves and not necessarily to satisfy adults or member of their own peer group.
· To improve the physical fitness of youth by making it attractive, safe and enjoyable for all young people.
· To constantly remind Administrators, Coaches, Referees, Parents, that
1. Ensure that equal opportunities for participation in
2. Do not allow the game to become primarily spectator entertainment.
3. Equipment and facilities must be appropriate to the maturity level of the young players.
4. Rules and length of schedules should take into consideration the age and maturity level of the young players.
5. Remember that play is done for its own sake. Play down the importance of awards.
6. Distribute the code of ethics to spectators, coaches, players, referees, parents and teachers.
7. Ensure that parents, coaches, sponsors, doctors and participants understand their authority and their responsibility for fair play in
8. Offer clinics to improve the standards of coaching and refereeing with emphasis on good sportsmanship and the development of good technical skills.
9. Ensure adequate supervision is maintained at all games.
10. Behave in a manner to set an example for all participants.
1. Encourage parents to take an active interest in the Team.
2. Encourage parents and supporters to talk to opposite spectators.
3. Encourage supporters to praise good play by both teams.
4. Discourage supporters form excessive barracking.
5. Provide administrative assistance to the Coach.
6. Be fully informed of
7. Look after injured players
8. Ensure that players are aware of representative trials and if selected, they are fully aware of their commitments and that they know of their selection.
9. Phone results of game to designated person on time.
10. Check eligibility of players for your team.
11. If a member of the team is ordered off by the referee, see that player attends the judicial committee meeting as required and accompany him to the meeting.
12. Registration of players.
13. Make sure players, parents and officials are informed of all functions, social and otherwise.
14. Attend coaching and other meetings where coach is unable to attend.
15. Insist on an appropriate standard of team behaviour both on and off the pitch.
16. Set an example in terms of behaviour.
1. You have responsibility for your team and its supporters. EXERCISE IT.
2. Be reasonable in your demands on the young player’s time, energy and enthusiasm. Remember that they have other interests and demands on their time.
3. Teach your players that laws of the game are mutual agreements, which no one should evade or break.
4. Ensure that all players get a game. The ‘just average’ players need and deserve equal time.
5. Remember that young people play for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of it. Never ridicule or yell at the players for making mistakes or losing a game.
6. The scheduling and length of practice times and games should take into consideration the maturity level of the players.
7. Develop team respect for the ability of opponents, as well as for the judgment of referees and opposing coaches.
8. Follow the advice of a doctor in determining when an injured player is ready to play again.
9. Remember that young people need a coach they can respect. Be generous with your praise when it is deserved and set a good example.
10. Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles and the principles of growth and development of young people.
11. Encourage young people to develop basic skills and avoid over-specialisation in positional play during their formative years.
12. Create opportunities to teach sportsmanship, just as you would in teaching the basic skills.
13. Ensure that efforts for both skill improvement and good sportsmanship are rewarded by praise.
14. Remember that players are also students so be reasonable in your demands on their energy and enthusiasm.
15. Ensure that skill learning and free play activities have priority over highly structured competitions for very young people.
16. INSIST ON FAIR PLAY, do not tolerate foul play, fighting, or foul language. Be prepared to take of an offending player.
17. Discourage excessive talk on the pitch.
18. INSIST on a disciplined approach by players and mean what you say.
19. Set a good example by personal good behaviour.
1 Play for the ‘enjoyment’, not just to please your parents or coach.
2 Play the laws of the game of
3 Never argue with the referee’s decisions. Let your captain or coach ask any necessary questions.
4 Control your temper – no ‘mouthing off’.
5 Work equally hard for yourself and you team – you team’s performance will benefit and so will your own,
6 Be a good sport. Applaud all good play, whether by your team or by your opponent.
7 Treat all players, as you yourself would like to be treated. Don’t interfere with. Bully or take unfair advantage of any player.
8 Remember that the goals of the game are to have fun, improve your skills and feel good. Don’t be a show-off or always try to get the most points.
9 Co-operate with your coach, team mates, referee and opponents, for without them you don’t have a game.
1 Ensure that “over-refereeing” the game does not lose the ‘spirit of the game’ for young people.
2 Actions speak louder than words. Ensure that both on and off the field your behaviour is consistent with the principles of good sportsmanship.
3 Compliment both teams on their good play whenever such praise is deserved.
4 Be consistent, objective and courteous.
5 Condemn the deliberate ‘good foul’ as being unsportsman-like, thus retaining respect for fair play.
6 Publicly encourage law changes, which will reinforce the principles of participation for fun and enjoyment.
7 Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound refereeing principles and the principles of growth and development of young people.
1 Do not force an unwilling youngster to participate in
2 Remember, young people are involved in
3 Encourage your child to always play by the laws.
4 Teach young people that honest effort is as important as victory so the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.
5 Turn defeat into victory by helping young people work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship. Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing a game.
6 Remember that young people learn best by example. Applaud good play by your team and by members of the opposing team.
7 Do not publicly question the referee’s judgment and never his/her honesty.
8 Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from Junior Rugby.
9 Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches and referees. They give of their time and resources to provide recreational activities for young people.
1 Remember that young people play organised sports for their own fun. They are not there to entertain you and they are not miniature Wallabies.
2 Be on your best behaviour. Don’t use profane language, or harass players, coaches or referees.
3 Applaud good play by your own team and the visiting team.
4 Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them there would be no games.
5 Never ridicule or scold a player for making a mistake during the game.
6 Condemn the use of violence in all forms.
7 Respect the referee’s decisions.
8 Encourage players to play according to the laws.
9 SLEDGING: THIS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED in any shape or form. Players and Referees are NOT fair game.
10 Remember the QJRU Inc. Management Committee has the power to site Players, Coaches, and/or Spectators for behaviour that may bring the game of
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Incident Report Form |
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Name of Club: ___________________________________________________________________________
Date of Writing Report: ______________________ Time of Writing Report: __________________
Name(s) of the person or people involved in the incident: (OPTIONAL)
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Description of the incident:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Date the incident occurred: _________________________________________________________________
Location where incident occurred:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Nature of the incident:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Summary of the events prior to incident:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Immediate action taken:
If no action taken – reason:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Name of person completing form: __________________________________________________________
Contact telephone number: _______________________________________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________ Date:__________________________________
Name of person to whom the report was submitted:
Calculating the level of risk
1. Evaluate the likelihood of a risk, occurring, according to the ratings listed in Table 1
2. Evaluate the consequences if the incident occurred, according to the ratings in Table 2
3. Calculate the level of risk by finding the intersection between the likelihood and the consequences as per Table 3
Table 1: Measurers of Likelihood
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Descriptor |
Definition |
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Almost certain |
Is expected to occur in most circumstances |
1 / month |
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Likely |
Will probably occur at some time |
1 / 3 months |
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Possible |
Should occur at some time |
1 / year |
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Unlikely |
Could occur at some time |
1 / 5 years |
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Rare |
May occur in exceptional circumstances |
1 / >5 years |
Table 2: Measurers of Consequence or Impact
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Descriptor |
Definition |
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Extreme |
High financial loss; death; adverse public reaction / media attention; legal action. |
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Major |
Major financial loss; extensive injuries; loss of assets; revenue not collected |
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Moderate |
High financial loss; medical treatment required; revenue collection delayed; no / insufficient systems / controls in place to mitigate risk; insufficient staff skills / knowledge. |
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Minor |
Medium financial loss; first aid treatment; some compensating controls in place; policies/procedures not complied with |
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Insignificant |
Low financial loss; no injuries |
Table 3: Risk Rating
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Likelihood |
Consequence |
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Insignificant |
Minor |
Moderate |
Major |
Extreme |
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Almost Certain |
Medium |
Medium |
High |
High |
High |
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Likely (4) |
Low |
Medium |
High |
High |
High |
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Possible (3) |
Low |
Low |
Medium |
High |
High |
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Unlikely (2) |
Low |
Low |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
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Rare (1) |
Low |
Low |
Low |
Low |
Medium |
(Adapted from Australian/New
Risk Rating
High Immediate action required and detailed research and management planning required at committee/board level
Medium Membership attention needed and management responsibility specified
Low Manage by routine procedures, unlikely to need specific application of resources
Risk Action
High Reject, Manage, Reduce, Transfer
Medium Manage, Reduce, Transfer, Accept
Low Manage, Accept
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Activity |
Risk |
Causes |
Current Controls |
Likelihood |
Consequences |
Level of Risk |
Additional Controls for future implementation |
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Something happens… that leads to or results in… |
What are some of the causes of the risk? |
What are you currently doing to manage the risk? |
Table 1: Measures of likelihood |
Table 2: Measures of consequence or impact |
Table 3: Risk Rating |
What else can be done to manage the risk? |
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Employee/volunteer |
Blue Card Registration Number |
Expiry Date |
Application Pending (Y/N) |
Reason volunteer/employee is not to hold a blue card? |
Is CCYPCG Reassessing? (Y/N) |
Checked by? Date? |
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Coaches and officials need to be aware that not all children will understand an action or request in the same manner. One child may see an action as usual or acceptable behaviour while another may find it unacceptable. A child’s interpretation of an action may also be influenced by cultural and religious differences, gender and prior experiences. It is important therefore to be aware of your communication style.
The following principles or actions may help coaches provide a safe environment.
· Ensure your actions are at all times unambiguously professional. Give a verbal explanation, in front of all players (and preferably parents as well) of how, where, when and why you may need to touch players.
· Remember that the welfare of the child or children is always of paramount importance.
· Know the policies, complaint processes and guidelines under the Child Protection Risk Management Program and how they apply to you.
· Understand and commit to the rugby union coaches and officials codes of conduct.
· Understand how the child protection legislation in your state/territory may affect you.
· Ensure that any physical conduct with children is appropriate to the development of skills required for rugby union e.g. it would be appropriate to teach a child to tackle by putting your arms around the upper torso, but it would not be appropriate to make contact around the groin region as this is not essential to the development of tackling skills. Generally physical contact with players should be to develop skills, to give sports massage, to treat an injury or to prevent or respond to an injury.
· Be careful about which part of your body is and how much of it is in contact with a child’s body.
· Avoid unaccompanied and unobserved activities with children. Try not to separate yourself and a child from the line of sight of other people. If you need to have a private talk with a child about their ability or behaviour, do this in an open place near others. Invite another coach or support person to join the conversation or talk to more than one child at a time.
· Have sufficient coaches/assistants for effective supervision based on the age and number of children involved. Provide for disability considerations in regard to supervision.
· Use positive and age-appropriate language when talking to and in the presence of children. Avoid bad or aggressive language that could intimidate a child or set a bad example.
· Before entering change rooms knock or announce that you will be coming in and try to have at least one other adult with you. Do not isolate yourself and a child from others in the change room.
· Follow the club policy that if a parent is late picking up their child that the second to last child and their parent or guardian will wait with you and the child. This will also enable you to concentrate on making contact with the parent.
· Avoid the risk of being left alone with a child by having a parent, guardian or support person assist you with the training. Require that person to wait with you until all children have left.
· Do not engage in or let others engage in any of the following: -
o Abusive initiation or team bonding activities
o Forcing children into ‘macho type’ activities
o Rough, physical hurtful or sexually provocative games
o Regular scapegoating, ridiculing, rejecting, isolating or taking the ‘mickey’ out of a child
· Maintain control – avoid losing your temper (verbally or physically). If you find you regularly loose your temper with children you should seek support or consider whether you have the patience to work with children. Some ideas to assist with maintaining control include: -
o Set up basic rules at the beginning of the season, such as follow instructions, have a go, no put-downs. Make sure children are aware of these rules.
o Give positive messages.
o Have a time out area for children that are not behaving.
o Adopt a card system to express concerns with a child’s behaviour rather than becoming verbally agitated e.g. a yellow card is a warning, two yellow cards means time out for 2 minutes, a red card could mean the child misses out on next weeks game.
References:
Australian Sports Commission website. Ethics – Child Protection in Sport (http://www.ausport.gov.au/ethics/cpstrategies.asp)
Play by The Rules website (http://www.playbytherules.net.au) - Guidelines for Coaches and Officials.
NSW Department of Sport and Recreation (http://dsr.nsw.gov.au) - Child Protection in Sport and Recreation.
Parents often turn to sport as a safe place for children to build character, develop skills, learn valuable lessons and to have fun. While involvement in sport remains a positive experience for most participants, parents are now aware that children can face the risk of being harassed and abused in sport. In addition to clubs, parents can also play a key role in creating a safe environment for children in sport.
The following actions will help parents contribute to providing a safe environment.
· Get involved and get to know your child’s coach. Maintain open and frank communication. If things occur that disturb you, talk to the coach about them.
· Speak out when you hear language or attitudes that contribute to a negative or unsafe environment. You may wish to pursue your issues with the club executive.
· Be careful not to put coaches on pedestals. Tell your children its okay to say ‘no’ if the coach is doing something that makes them feel ‘creepy’.
· Make an effort to attend training and games whenever you can.
· Be wary of private, closed training sessions. If they occur on a regular basis ask the coach for an explanation.
· Be wary of any increases of the amount of time the coach spends with your children beyond the training session.
· If you volunteer in sport and ask to take part in screening, accept this as a positive step to keep children safe.
· Make sure you are not part of the problem. Don’t sling verbal abuse at referees, coaches or others.
· Know and abide by the Parents Code of Conduct, and encourage others to do the same.
· Encourage your child to play by the rules.
· Never ridicule your child for making a mistake.
References:
Australian Sports Commission website. Ethics – Child Protection in Sport (http://www.ausport.gov.au/ethics/cpstrategies.asp)
Children may be dropped off before an activity and picked up afterwards by their parents or guardians. In other instances, children may make their own way to and from an activity. On their way to and from children may be exposed to potential risk. Procedures should be put in place to minimise these risks.
Whilst clubs may have different strategies to meet specific circumstances the following considerations provide a guideline.
· Agree with parents a set procedure for drop off and pick up arrangements, including whether a child makes their own way to and from an activity, or will be dropped off and picked up. Let children and their parents/guardians know the times of training and games and when they can expect to collect their children. Advise them that it is not your responsibility to transport children home if parents are delayed.
· Ensure there is a buffer period where a coach or official arrives a certain period of time before an activity starts and stays a certain period of time after it ends.
· Have a club policy that the second to last child and their parent/guardian will wait with the coach/official and the child. This will also enable the coach/official to concentrate on making contact with the parent/guardian.
· If you have a clubroom where there will be other people, have a club policy that latecomers are to collect their children from the clubroom. Wait with the child if possible (in the presence of others), and make contact with the parent/guardian if necessary.
· If there are other people at the ground or facility, wait for the parent/guardian closer to those people. In the meantime try to make contact with the parent/guardian.
· Avoid the risk of being alone with a child by having a parent/guardian or support person assist you with the training. Require that person to wait until all children have left.
· Have a club policy that there is a register of parent/guardian emergency contact numbers and make sure coaches/officials have access to a phone.
References:
Play by The Rules website (http://www.playbytherules.net.au) - Guidelines for Coaches and Officials.
Commission for Children and Young People (http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au).
Ideally all players/participants should have their own transportation to and from sporting events. You should only provide transportation when:
· The driver is properly licensed
· Other players/participants/parents/guardians are in the vehicle
· The ride has been approved by parents/guardians
· The ride is directly to/from sports or recreation facilities
· You should also call someone and tell them what you are doing, the exact time you are leaving – so that you are accountable for your time.
Play by The Rules website (http://www.playbytherules.net.au) - Guidelines for Coaches and Officials.
· Always have more than one adult with children on an overnight trip/camp.
· There should always be more than one adult with a group of children, even if the number of children is small.
· Do not separate yourself and children from other adults.
· Obtain separate sleeping accommodation from the children (adults in separate rooms). However, ensure that adults are within hearing distance of the children to be able to respond to any alarm raised by a child.
· If an alarm is raised by a child more than one adult should respond.
References:
Play by The Rules website (http://www.playbytherules.net.au) - Guidelines for Coaches and Officials.
NSW Department of Sport and Recreation (http://dsr.nsw.gov.au) - Child Protection in Sport and Recreation.
There have been concerns about the risks posed directly and indirectly to children and young people through the use of photographs on sports web sites and other publications. Evidence in
Acquiring Images
· Permission needs to be obtained from the player’s parent/guardian prior to taking the image. Ensure that they are aware of the way in which the image may be used.
· Request that professional photographers and/or spectators taking photographic/video images register with the club and gain permission.
· Clearly outline with professional photographers that all images taken will remain the property of the club, and cannot be used or sold for any other purpose. Clearly outline that all negatives/proofs etc. need to be destroyed or given to the club at the conclusion of the photo opportunity.
· Clearly outline and publicise what is considered appropriate behaviour and content to those taking photographic/video images.
· Do not allow unsupervised or individual access to players.
· Do not approve photo/video sessions outside the event venue or at a player's home.
· Provide details of who to contact if concerns or complaints of inappropriate photographic behaviour or content are raised.
Displaying Images
· Consider using models or illustrations for promotional/advertising purposes.
· Permission needs to be obtained from the player’s parent/guardian prior to using their image. Ensure that they are aware of the way in which the image is to be used and how long the image will be displayed when used on a website.
· If the player is named, avoid using their image.
· If an image is used, avoid naming the athlete. If this is not possible avoid using both a first name and surname.
· Do not display personal information such as residential address, Email address or telephone numbers without gaining consent from a parent/guardian first.
· Do not display information about hobbies, likes/dislikes, school etc. as these can be used as grooming tools by pedophiles or other persons.
· Only use appropriate images of the player, relevant to the sport or activity, and suitably clothed. Images of players in an activity that involves minimal clothing or unusual body positions/poses, which could potentially be misused, should focus on the activity not on a particular child and avoid full face and body shots.
· Reduce the ability for the direct copying of pictures from a website to another source (i.e. disable the ‘right mouse click’ function).
· Provide details of who to contact if concerns or complaints of inappropriate image use are raised.