Every child has the right to participate in sport and recreation activities without risk to their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Keeping children and young people (those aged under the age of 18) safe from abuse, discrimination and harassment and protecting them from people who are unsuitable to work with children is the whole community’s responsibility. It’s also a legal requirement, ethical obligation and a duty of care.
Although the Department of Communities and the WA Police have responsibilities for the protection of children in Western Australia, all WA communities including the sport and recreation industry also have a responsibility to keep children safe when participating in sport and active recreation.
To support State Sporting Associations (SSAs) and their affiliated clubs keep our children safe and minimise risk, the department has partnered with the WA Sports Federation (WASF), Working with Children Screening Unit, Surf Life Saving WA and the WA Police – Child Abuse Squad to create Safe Clubs 4 Kids – which aims to increase understanding of how to create child safe environments and what to do if abuse is suspected or alleged.
The Working with Children Act (WA 2006) legislation applies to people who work (and volunteer) with children in Western Australia and the Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Sport and recreation organisations have responsibilities to comply with the Act and keep children safe in their organisations.
Manager Industry DevelopmentDepartment of Local Government, Sport and Cultural IndustriesTelephone 61 8 6552 7300Email the department