Reporting concerns about children's safety
If the matter is urgent or the safety, health or welfare of a child or victim is at risk please call the Police emergency number 000.
You have a responsibility to report any child safety concerns, including:
- Abuse or harm
- Potential abuse or potential harm
- Observation, allegation, and/or suspicion of abuse or harm
- Breaches of SLSA Code of Conduct
- Gut feeling when something does not feel right
More information on reporting concerns about children's safety
Commitment to safeguarding children
Our Club:
- 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 safeguarding children and young people, 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 safeguarding 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.
Read the Code of Conduct for dealing with Children and Young People
We will:
- Provide a welcoming and safe environment and promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people participating in all CLSLSC events, services, programs or activities.
- Ensure we provide adequate care, supervision and positive and safe interactions with children and young people.
- Ensure we promote reporting mechanisms for any concerns around the safety or wellbeing of children and young people.
- Ensure children and young people are respected and balance their rights to privacy in change rooms
- Only take photos of children and young people when consent has been granted by the child’s parent/carer and when the context is directly related to participating in any CLSLSC events, services, programs or activities.
- Encourage positive language and tone of voice that leads to a welcoming and supportive environment for children and young people
- Take all reasonable steps to protect children and young people from any form of abuse or harm, acting diligently and appropriately in reporting any suspicions, concerns, policy and procedural breaches, allegations or disclosures of alleged abuse to management or threats against the safety of children/young people to internal and external authorities
- Listen to children and young people and provide opportunities for them to provide feedback
We will not:
- Have unnecessary physical contact with children or young people in any CLSLSC events, services, programs or activities.
- Act in any way that condones or fails to respond to inappropriate behaviour with children.
- Engage in activities or seek contact with children or young people who are our members outside of any club programs, events or activities.
- Engage in electronic communication with children or young people without authorisation from the child’s or young person’s parents/carer; including but not limited to chat rooms and social messaging platforms.
- Undress or use change rooms in the presence of children or young people should be avoided where possible and only then for the purpose of participating in club events, program, services or activities
- Permit any form of ‘sexual behaviour’ to occur between, with, or in the presence of, children or young people participating in any club event, program, service or activities.
- Provide transportation to children or young people without authorisation from the child's/young person’s parent/carer.
- Be alone with a child or young person, unless specifically approved as part of a club program or activity, pending a risk assessment.
- Dismiss or trivialise concerns and feedback provided by children and young people