INFORMATION FOR SPORT ORGANISATIONS, COACHES & VOLUNTEERS TO #KEEPKIDSSAFE
INFORMATION FOR SPORT ORGANISATIONS, COACHES & VOLUNTEERS TO #KEEPKIDSSAFE
The safety and well-being of children should always be the top priority in sports clubs and organisations.
No matter what your position within a sporting club or organisation – coach, medic, administrator, participant/player, volunteer, parent or official – as an adult in sport, you have a vital role to play in ensuring that children can enjoy their sport in a protected and safe environment.
Information relating to child safety and protection from abuse and exploitation may bring up strong feelings. Remember, you are not alone. If you need assistance or support, you can access a list of dedicated services on our Finding Help page.
Safeguarding is the way that we keep children safe in sport. Safeguarding in practice involves two key elements: prevention to minimise risk to children and prevent any kind of harm or abuse from happening, and response to concerns that a child is at risk or is suffering harm or abuse.
Those who have child safeguarding concerns in Australian sport, are encouraged to report to Sport Integrity Australia’s Safe Sport Hotline on 1800 161 361 – Open 7am-7pm, 7 Days a Week
Sport NZ has a variety of child protection resources available on their website for those who have a concern or are looking to prevent child abuse or exploitation in sport. Any safeguarding concerns within football in Aotearoa New Zealand in particular can be reported to NZ Football’s email: safeguarding@nzfootball.co.nz
Safeguarding is the way that we keep children safe in sport. Safeguarding in practice involves two key elements: prevention to minimise risk to children and prevent any kind of harm or abuse from happening, and response to concerns that a child is at risk or is suffering harm or abuse.
Those who have child safeguarding concerns in Australian sport, are encouraged to report to Sport Integrity Australia’s Safe Sport Hotline on 1800 161 361 – Open 7am-7pm, 7 Days a Week
Sport NZ has a variety of child protection resources available on their website for those who have a concern or are looking to prevent child abuse or exploitation in sport. Any safeguarding concerns within football in Aotearoa New Zealand in particular can be reported to NZ Football’s email: safeguarding@nzfootball.co.nz
Legal Obligations of Sports Organisations to #KeepKidsSafe
In Australia, all sporting clubs and organisations have a legal duty of care to ensure that anyone who takes part in programs or activities is protected from all reasonably foreseeable risks of harm. This is a common law responsibility that covers both action and inaction. Therefore, every committee member, manager, coach, official, staff member and volunteer have a role in keeping kids safe in sport.
Each state/territory in Australia has child protection legislation specifying the responsibilities for both organisations and individuals that work or have contact with children. These responsibilities include mandatory reporting and background checking, such as police checks or working with children checks.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, organisations working with tamariki have a duty of care to safeguard and protect tamariki from abuse and neglect.
Safeguarding Children has produced a free 30 minute webinar “Child-Safe Organisations” which discusses the core elements of a child-safe organisation. It provides guidance to develop or enhance existing child-safe elements within an organisation.