Child & Youth Risk Management Strategy

2014/2015Induction

Southport SLSC

Why have a documented risk management strategy?

• Commit to providing and promoting safe environments for children and youth

• Meet the legislative requirement - Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (the Act)

• Legally responsible as an officer or committee member to:

– act in the interest of the members, so should operate independently and free from influence

– Act in good faith

– Exercise due care & diligence

– Ensure solvency

– Meet legislative requirements.

• Surf Lifesaving is not immune to predators

Numbers• SLSQ is committed to providing and promoting safe environments for

children and youth. We believe that SLS must show a definite emphasis on this strategy by promoting and supporting its implementation at all levels because:• Almost 42% of our total membership are under the age of 18

(12, 606 young people);• there were almost 10, 000 junior activities members registered with

SLSQ at the end of 2013/14 season;• junior activities accounts for 32% of SLSQ’s total membership.

• Safe environments don’t just happen they require ongoing planning, commitment, and maintenance

What are the Legislative Requirements?

To comply with the legislative framework, SLSQ and Club child and youth risk management strategies must: • address surf lifesaving’s commitment to creating a safe and

supportive service environment within our organisation;• strengthen surf lifesaving’s capability to provide such an

environment; • assist surf lifesaving to manage any particular concerns with

respect to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who are involved with the organisation or business; and

• promote the consistency of surf lifesaving’s approach to risk management, both within the organisation or business and with respect to its compliance with the requirements under the Act.

Where can the Legislative Requirements be found?

There are eight minimum mandatory requirements as per the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 that must be included in a Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy:

Commitment

1. A statement of commitment

2. Codes of conduct

Capability

3. Recruitment, selection, training and management strategies

Mandatory Requirements cont…Concerns

Policies and procedures for handling: 4. disclosures and suspicions of harm 5. breaches

6. planning process for activities and special events.

Consistency

7. Compliance with the blue card system

8. Strategies for communication and support

Changes to the strategy…

• Management of the Blue Card System is now handled by the PBSA - www.bluecard.qld.gov.au

• New Blue Card Forms & Information on the Members Portal – https://portal.sls.com.au (Folder ref: Library – Member and Club Development - Member Protection – QLD – Blue Card Forms)

– Blue Card Scenarios Factsheet V3– Procedure – How to set email notifications for expiring blue cards

• Templates updated on the Members Portal (Folder ref: Library – Member and Club Development - Member Protection – QLD – Child Youth Risk Management Strategy)

– Training Register – Club Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy Action Plan Template– How to deal with receiving a Youth Protection Complaint / Disclosure (Flow Chart)– Flowchart for Reporting Youth Protection Complaint– Important Information for Parents/ Guardians & Carers template

• Policy Updates on the Members Portal:– Social Media Policy MC04 (Folder ref: Library – Governance, Policies, Forms, SOP's and more – 3

Policy – QLD – Marketing and Communications)

Most important

• The following documents are most important for practical use: – Summary for Clubs to Manage Child & Youth Protection; – Flow chart for Reporting Youth Protection Complaint; and – How to deal with receiving Youth Protection Complaint.

Who can help?

Club/ Branch to add contact name & information here…