Child safe environment policy

All children who come to GGLAC have a right to feel and be safe.  We are committed to the safety and well-being of all children accessing our services and the welfare of the children in our care will always be our first priority. We aim to create a child safe and child friendly environment where all children are valued and feel safe. 

GGLAC has an appointed Child Safety Officer (CSO) who has completed the relevant training provided by the Office of Recreation and Sport. The role of the CSO is to deliver advice and awareness within the centre around developing a child safe environment. For this reason the CSO is the first point of contact to provide advice and support to children, parents, employees and volunteers regarding the safety and well-being of children in the centre.  

The association also has a Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) MPIO’s play an important role in sport. They provide information and guidance on complaints procedures – they are the ‘go to’ person if you want to discuss problems (including child protection concerns) at the centre/association, particularly if you are considering making a formal complaint (please see complaints and grievance policy). 

Child Protection guidelines for committee members and volunteers of GGLAC 

Caring for children and young people brings additional responsibilities for all committee members and volunteers.   

All committee members and volunteers of GGLAC are responsible for promoting the safety and well-being of children and young people by: 

  • Ensuring the safety and welfare of the child or young person is paramount at all times. 
  • Treating all children and young people with dignity, equality and respect. 
  • Adhering to the GGLAC and the associations child safe policy at all times. 
  • Listening and responding appropriately to the views and concerns of children and young people within the centre. 
  • Taking all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and protection of children and young people within the centre. 
  • Ensuring children and young people understand their rights and explaining to the child in age-appropriate language what they can expect when participating in a service, activity or program offered by the centre. 
  • Responding quickly, fairly and transparently to any serious complaints made by a child, young person or their parent/guardian. 
  • Notifying the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) on 13 14 78 as soon as practicable if they have a reasonable suspicion that a child or young person has been or is being abused or neglected.   

Committee members and volunteers will not: 

  • Take part in any unnecessary physical contact with a child or young person. 
  • Discriminate against any child or young person because of age, gender, cultural background, religion, vulnerability or sexuality. 
  • Develop any ‘special’ relationships with children or young people outside of the professional relationship. 

Review 

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Committee. 

Policy developed: Aug 2015 

Reviewed without change: Aug 2016, Aug 2017, Aug 2018, Feb 2020, Feb 2021, Nov 2023 

Date of next review: Nov 2024