Child Safe

At South Gippsland Bass Swimming Club, the safety and well-being of all members, especially children and young people, is the highest priority.  The club is fully committed to upholding the principles outlined in the Child Safety Standards and Swimming Australia’s National Integrity Framework (NIF), ensuring that children feel safe, supported and respected in all interactions and activities within the club.

SGB recognises that every child has the right to participate in swimming in an environment free from harm, abuse and neglect.  As such the club has put in place robust policies, procedures and practices designed to protect children, promote their welfare and prevent any form of child abuse or misconduct.

Our commitment to Child Safely is built on the principles:

  • Zero tolerance of Child Abuse
  • Creating a safe and supportive environment
  • Educating our community
  • Working with children checks
  • Supporting children and families
  • Responding to concerns

The new Victorian Child Safe Standards and Swimming Australia’s Child Safeguarding Policy confirm the responsibility everyone from the swimming community has in actively promoting and upholding a culture of child safety.  South Gippsland Bass Swimming Club has adopted Swimming Australia’s National Integrity Framework (NIF), which seek to address risks to child safety and establish a child safe culture and practices.  The NIF, which commenced on June 15, 2022 includes the following 2 documents.

  1. Child Safeguarding Policy: defines prohibited conduct which includes child abuse, grooming and other misconduct with a child.  It also outlines reporting requirements in relation to allegations of child abuse and other requirements relating to child safe practices, include it recruitment and screening practices. Importantly, it complies with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and includes a Child Safe Commitment Statement and Child Safe Practices for all involved in our sport.
  2. Member Protection Policy: details prohibited conduct in relation to abuse, bulling, harassment, sexual misconduct, unlawful discrimination, victimisation and verification.

These policies can be accessed above by clinking on the relevant link or can also be found on the Swimming Australia’s Safe Sport Framework page National Integrity Framework.

South Gippsland Bass Swimming Club members are required at all times, to comply with any child safety policies, procedures and/or codes of conduct that the club may adopt.

All coaches and committee members are required to complete the Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Induction Course on the Sports Integrity Australia website.

 

Working With Children Check

In accordance with the Swimming Australia’s Child Safeguarding Policy, the recruitment process of SGB employees is subject to extensive screening and background checks. All employees, coaches, committee members, officials and volunteers who could potentially have direct contact with children (including physical, phone, written contact, email/electronic contact) requires a valid Working With Children’s Check. 

Due to the high level of parental involvement when volunteering with the club all parents and guardians who have regular contact with the club are required to submit a current Working With Children’s Check.   This can be uploaded to your swim central profile under documents.

 

Reporting

If any swimmer, parent, coach or official feel they have been treated in a way that does not meet he criteria outlines in the policies above they are encouraged to get in contact. The club has 2 points of contact:

  1. Kerryn Lynch: any child safe concerns: childsafetyofficer@sgbswimclub.com.au
  2. Janelle Croatto: other complaints or grievances: president@sgbswimclub.com.au

Alternatively incidents can be reported via the linked form and provide the relevant information.

 

Reference: https://images.app.goo.gl/kbMidDMfD6BXModH8

 

Other Resources: