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What is Safe Clubs 4 Kids?

The Safe Clubs 4 Kids initiative encourages and supports the sport and active recreation industry to create and maintain safe environments for children and young people.

Children should be able to grow and develop in a safe environment without the risk of harm. Most people who volunteer or work with children are safe and do so to make a positive contribution and help children develop to their full potential.

History shows that child abuse occurs across all sectors of the community, including the area of sport and active recreation. However, by taking a few simple steps such as the Safe Clubs 4 Kids 4 considerations, you can adopt a proactive approach to creating a safe environment for children and young people.

Everyone can play a part in keeping children safe whilst having fun in the sport and active recreation environment.

4 Considerations

1. Make your rules clear

Create, promote and follow appropriate policies, procedures and guidelines.

• Ensure policies, procedures and guidelines are clear, followed and easily accessible by all.
• Have clear processes for responding to harassment, discrimination, bullying and abuse.

2. Get the right people

Follow a screening procedure to recruit the right people.

• Stage 1. Recruitment and selection
• Stage 2. Reference checks
• Stage 3. Criminal record checks, including Working with Children Checks
• Stage 4. Respond to any person with a criminal record check and/or feedback of broader concern
• Stage 5. Appointment and induction
• Stage 6. Provide ongoing support, training and supervision

3. Involve children and young people

Create a culture where everyone can talk and act together.

• Have an open culture where all members know how and where to give feedback, raise concerns and feel confident the club will respond.
• Talk to children and young people about their right to feel safe and what they think will make a great club.
• Regularly promote that the club prioritises the safety of children and young people.

4. Learn and respond

Have an understanding of children’s needs and appropriate responses to any concerns, including reporting.

• Support members to feel confident in their understanding of child abuse, know where to raise concerns and respond to any disclosures, allegations or suspicions of child abuse.
• Identify and advertise the person in your club who can be contacted by those wanting to raise an issue or concern.

How to report a disclosure or suspicion of abuse

The diagram below provides some guidelines about reporting:

1. Child reports, you observe or suspect an incident of child abuse.
   1. If you suspect a child is in immediate danger or for emergencies contact WA Police on 000.
   2. Report to the Department of Communities Child Protection and Family Support or the WA Police as soon as possible.
   3. Report to appropriate person at the club who documents details of the incident ensuring State Sporting Association procedures are followed.
2. The Department of Communities Child Protection and Family Support or the WA Police will give advice on the next steps.

For non life-threatening incidents contact:

Department of Communities Child Protection and Family Support
Business hours 61 8 9222 2555 or 1800 622 258
After hours or crisis care 61 8 9223 1111 or 1800 199 008
WA Police 131 444

Want to learn more?

Attend a Safe Clubs 4 Kids workshop to:

• Increase awareness about how to create child safe environments.
• Understand the importance of criminal record checks, including Working with Children Checks.
• Learn how to respond to and report a disclosure or suspicion of child abuse.
• Identify useful resources and contacts for support.