Child Safety
Child safety is an integral component of any sporting club. It can have a major impact on the enjoyment and participation of children in sport. The safety of the children in or around your club is paramount and clubs need to ensure that they provide a safe and secure environment for children and young people.
Victorian Child Safe Standards
Child Safe Standards require organisations involving children to have policies, procedures and practices to keep them safe – understand the standards at Commission for Children and Young People
To support the sport sector in implementing the 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards, Vicsport has a large number of Child Safe Sport resources.
Creating a Child Safe Environment
There are a number of different resources and campaigns that can support your club to create a child safe environment beyond meeting the Standards.
Working with Children Checks
These are a mandatory requirement in Victoria, to protect children under 18 from harm by screening people involved in child-related work. This includes volunteers and paid staff who have, or are likely to have, regular and direct contact with children, such as coaches, managers, and committee members.
We strongly urge all community sporting clubs to ensure all club volunteers hold a current Working with Children Check
Sports Focus Support
- Is your club meeting the legislative requirements for child safety?
- Have we identified our potential vulnerabilities and risks?
- Are we providing an environment that is welcoming and safe for children and young people?
Sports Focus can assist a club committee in navigating their legislative requirements related to the 11 Child Safety Standards and provide support to embed a strong culture of child safety.
Our process begins with a two-hour facilitated conversation with the committee to assess their specific needs and challenges. Following this, clubs will be provided with a tailored action plan for implementation.
Additionally, we offer a range of fee-for-service options, including the development of a Child Safety Policy, a Commitment Statement to Child Safety, and a Code of Conduct/Behaviour – all designed to embed child safety, among others.