Child Safe Standards
CHILD SAFE STANDARDS
About the Standards
Why Do We Have the Standards? In April 2012, the Victorian government initiated an inquiry into the handling of child abuse allegations within religious and other non-government organisations. The inquiry’s final report, Betrayal of Trust, made a number of recommendations that have been acted on by the Victorian Government. The creation of Child Safe Standards (the Standards) was one of the key recommendations.
From 1 January 2017, the Child Safe Standards will apply to sporting organisations that operate and provide sporting services to children within Victoria (including National Sporting Organisations). The Standards apply to organisations as a whole, not only the areas that work with children. The Standards apply to all personnel in your organisation. This includes:
- Board of Management / Committee Members
- All paid staff (CEO, Executive, Employees)
- All Volunteers (Coaches, officials, administrators, referees, etc)
- All students on placement
- Any contractors you engage.
What Do I Need To Know? The Standards are flexible and principle based. The Standards apply to the safety of all children who are involved in your sport. Research shows that children from some population groups are at a higher risk of abuse than others. As such, each of the Standards must also be understood and applied in the context of:
- The cultural safety of Aboriginal children
- The cultural safety of children from a culturally and/or linguistically diverse background
- The safety of children with a disability.
For the purpose of these Standards a child is defined as a person under the age of 18 years.
What Are The Standards?
- Strategies to embed an organisational culture of child safety, including through effective leadership arrangements
- A child safe policy or statement of commitment to child safety
- A code of conduct that establishes clear expectations for appropriate behaviour with children
- Screening, supervision, training and other human resources practices that reduce the risk of child abuse by new and existing personnel
- Processes for responding to and reporting suspected child abuse 6. Strategies to identify and reduce or remove risks of child abuse
- Strategies to promote the participation and empowerment of children
What Steps Does Our Club Need to Take?
STEP 1: Develop a working group or sub-committee
STEP 2: Undertake a child safety review
STEP 3: Understand your level of risk
STEP 4: Identify any further information, advice or support needed
STEP 5: Develop and implement an action plan
Resources
Child Safety Legislation - Fiona Jones, VICSPORT
Understanding the legislation around the new Safe Sports Framework and similar initiatives is a hugely important part of building our community up to be a safe and inclusive space. This workshop was held alongside a panel discussion featuring Swimming Victoria and Diving Victoria CEO's Jason Hellwig and Matthew Duck, and Water Polo Victoria EO Sally Jones.
Volunteer Management - Kathy Tessier, Active Approach
With experience in delivering inclusive sport and physical activity programs from local to international levels, Kethy Tessier brings a wealth of knowledge on how volunteering operates and integrates within sport.
Additional Resources
The Department of Health & Human Services
(03) 9096 000childsafestandards@dhhs.vic.gov.au
Click here
The Commission for Children and Young People
03 8601 5281
childsafestandards@ccyp.vic.gov.au
Click here
Vicsport
03 9698 8109
Click here
