EVENTS & FUNDRAISING
SAFEGUARDING OUR MEMBERS
MEMBER WELFARE IS IMPORTANT
Red Rock Corindi Life Saving Club is committed to the protection, welfare and wellbeing of all its members and is dedicated to providing a safe, fun and enjoyable environment as outlined in the RCSLSC Member Protection Policy. We take an inclusive approach, ensuring all of our members are treated with respect and dignity and are protected from discrimination, harassment and abuse regardless of gender, age, ability or nationality.
Members are covered by Workers Compensation – SLSNSW for patrolling, club activities and competition.
SLSA CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
Red Rock Corindi Surf Life Saving Club is committed to providing a safe, supportive, enjoyable environment for children through the SLSA Safeguarding Children and Young People Program. The program recognises the importance of protecting young people under the age of 18 from abuse, harm and exploitation. It is everyone’s responsibility to treat all children and young members respectfully, and within the child protection laws of Australia (free from any form of abuse).
Resources, webinars and online training courses are available to every club member to establish clear guidelines for appropriate behaviour when engaging with children and young people. To learn more about how you can protect our children and young member, please contact us or read the Safeguarding Children Handbook.
All Red Rock Corindi SLSC members who work with children and young people are required to complete the Surf Life Saving’s Safeguarding Children and Young People Awareness Course.
NSW WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK (WWCC)
Red Rock Corindi Surf Life Saving Club has a strong interest in keeping children safe. As a club, we comply with the Child Protection legislation where all members in child-related roles are required to have a WWCC. For more information please read the Child Protection and the NSW Working With Children Check guidelines.
To apply for a WWCC please follow the process below and email your approved number to our Club’s email.
SLSA REPORTING GUIDELINES
All Red Rock Corindi SLSC members have a responsibility to speak up if they become aware of, or observe something considered inappropriate. Please contact us or follow the guidelines below.
All reports submitted will be treated in confidence and with the utmost respect for all those involved.
Make a Child Protection Report
CODE OF CONDUCT
Our Club is committed to the safeguarding of children and young peoplein Surf Life Saving. One way we do this is by ensuring that our members behave in a way which creates a safe, positive and inclusive environment. Surf Life Saving’s Codes of Conduct represent the minimum standards of member behaviour and must be complied with at all times. There are two Codes of Conduct, both of which can be found in the SLSA Member Protection Policy.
The General Code of Conduct: includes expectations relating to respect; ethics; professionalism; complying with SLSA rules, policies and procedures; reporting breaches of the Safeguarding Program; and being a positive role model. -
The Code of Conduct for People in Positions of Authority when Dealing with Children or Young People: includes expectations relating to positive guidance; overnight stays; language; adhering to role boundaries; transporting children; use of electronic communication; use of changing rooms; use of photography; physical contact; gift giving; wearing of uniforms; and use of alcohol or drugs. Members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Codes of Conduct, and to ensure that their behaviour, as well as the behaviour of others within the Club, is appropriate. They are encouraged to say something if they see something that doesn’t feel right, or is not in line with the Codes of Conduct.
CLUB COMMITMENT STATEMENT
We are asking our clubs to join us in making a commitment, specifically, a Commitment Statement for Keeping Children and Young People Safe.
Action Plan
• Identify a club committee member to take leadership for overseeing the implementation of the club’s development/refinement of approach to keeping children and young people safe
• Ensure ‘Child Safe’ is included on your club committee agenda
• Distribute Handbook, Worksheet 1, draft Commitment Statement to club committee with meeting papers for review
• Encourage discussion at your committee meeting and consider any implications for club practices
• Once Commitment Statement is approved/endorsed, follow up with communication to club.
Whats Next?
We encourage your club to think about ways to put your Commitment into practice.
• Some strategies include: Post the Commitment somewhere prominent on your club website
• Promote the Commitment in your club newsletter and/or via social media
• Continuously reflect on club practice to ensure the Commitment is adhered to at all times
• Schedule an annual review of the Commitment club committee to ensure practice is maintained and continuously improved.
Why Is A Commitment Statement Important?
In the protection of children from abuse and harm it is recommended that your club clearly and publicly makes a commitment to keeping children and young people safe. A Commitment Statement is an important first-step in:
• Providing a safe environment for all, including children and young people
• Taking an inclusive approach to all activities
• Educating and informing those within your club and the wider community about your club’s child safe responsibilities.
We have included the SLSA Commitment Statement below as an example of the approach we have taken at the national level. This Commitment Statement now exists as an important component in our overall SLSA Member Protection Policy and Child Safe Policy.
Our Club:
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• is committed to the safety and wellbeing of every child and young person who takes part in our activities, programs, events or services
• is committed to providing children and young people with a positive and nurturing experience
• will support families and the community to promote the healthy development and wellbeing of all children
• will strive to ensure that children and young people are protected from abuse and harm
• will work to create an environment in which children and young people are safe and feel safe at all times
• will listen to children and young people and address any concerns that they raise with us
• will support our members and the community to report any suspicion, or concern in relation to the mistreatment, or potential mistreatment. of a child or young person will challenge inappropriate behaviour of any of its members or members of the community
• will ensure all children and young people, no matter what cultural ethnicity, language, religion or disability, shall be able to participate in surf lifesaving in a fun and safe environment will appoint a Member Protection Information Officer, or equivalent, and ensure this person is trained on the obligations and responsibilities with respect to safeguarding children and young people
• will strive to ensure that persons in a position of authority do not harm, abuse or exploit children or young people who are involved within our club
• may not ask for consent to disclose information to police or an external child protection agency in the event we have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person.
As part of our commitment to keeping children and young people safe, our club:
• is committed to supporting parents and carers to protect their children and young people
• will offer assistance that builds on a family’s strengths and make up, is sensitive to their culture and religious beliefs and empowers them to meet the changing needs of their children and young people
• is committed to communicating honestly and opening with parents and carers about the wellbeing and safety of their children and young people
• will promote and distribute information to parents and carers about our child safe commitment to children and young people as part of an introduction to our club
• endeavours to be transparent in our decision-making, with parents and carers, as long as doing so does not compromise the safety of a child/young person or breach the SLSA Privacy Policy.