THE IMPORTANCE OF MEMBER PROTECTION

Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club (“Queensie”) is committed to the protection, welfare and well-being of all its members and is dedicated to providing a positive and safe environment for all members participating in surf lifesaving activities.   This is outlined in detail in the Member Protection Policy found at
SLSA Member Protection Policy and SLSA Child Safe Policy.

The SLSA Member Protection Policy seeks to ensure that everyone involved in surf life saving activities, including those involving under 18s, is aware of their rights and responsibilities and sets out the standards of behaviour expected of those involved in our Surf Life Saving and the behaviours that are not acceptable.

Our aim is to create a safe and nurturing environment for all members participating in Surf Life Saving by following the member protection code of conduct
https://www.surflifesaving.com.au/members/policies/slsa-policy-6-05-member-protection-code-of-conduct-extracted/

Our Member Protection Team

Our club has a group of dedicated volunteers who look after member protection practices and issues.  These include a Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO), Complaints Manager and Child Safe Coordinator.

MPIO: Phil Oxley and Kelly McFadden

Complaints Manager: Maddie Perkins

Child Safe Coordinator: Karla Prince

All Queensie members, particularly age managers, coaches, officials, leaders, trainers and management personnel, have a responsibility to provide safeguards dedicated to the well-being of other members. The abuse of young members, by other members or external source, is not acceptable and all incidents of such abuse are to be reported immediately to the appropriate authorities.

Queensie appoints an individual or individuals to the role of Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) who is there for members should they encounter any issues.   The MPIO provides information and guidance on complaints procedures and are the first point of call in the club for any enquiries, concerns or complaints about harassment, abuse or other inappropriate behaviour. The MPIO provides information about possible ways to resolve the issue and offers moral support to the person who raises the concern or the person who is the subject of the alleged behaviour. The MPIO will treat all information as strictly confidential.

Queenscliff’s MPIO’s are Phil Oxley and Kelly McFadden.

Phil is contactable at mpio@queenscliffslsc.org.au

Kelly is contactable at mpio2@queenscliffslsc.org.au

Complaint Management

The MPIO is available to provide advice to all members who may have an issue or grievance at the club and is the first point of contact for any member wishing to raise a concern.

To contact the MPIO, please email mpio@queenscliffslsc.org.au to arrange a call back.

After contacting the MPIO, should any member wish to proceed with a formal complaint, this can be lodged via the online complaints portal: https://complaints.sls.com.au/

All formal complaints are handled by the Club Complaints Manager, who will take action after complaints are lodged via the portal.

The Complaints Manager is responsible for managing any complaint submitted to their Club in line with the SLSA complaints Resolution Policy.

The Complaints Manager plays an important role in clubs, providing timely response to member complaints in line with the Complaints Resolution Policy 6.06.

The Complaints Manager position is separate to the Member Protection Information Officer and forms part of the broader Member Protection team at club level.

The Complaints Manager is responsible to recording all correspondence regarding a complaint in the online SLSA Complaints portal and appointing investigators and judiciary if required.  The role operates independently to the board, consulting with the Club President and Directors if appropriate.

Our Club Complaints Manager is Maddie Perkins and can be contactable at complaintsmanager@queenscliffslsc.org.au

We understand that in a community organisation where everyone knows each other, conflicts of interest can arise. We want members to feel they are able to raise any concerns they have, and if there is a conflict of interest and members would prefer to speak to someone else within the club regarding their concern, please email them directly. Alternatively, we can provide an MPIO from another Sydney Northern Beaches Branch to offer support.

Queensie adopts the SLSA Complaint Resolution Policy and its procedures which seek to provide clear processes:

• In addressing a disclosure, incident, observation or complaint, whether they relate to Members or a Person in a Position of Authority; and
• To potential Complainants, Respondents, Members and Person in a Position of Authority when dealing with a complaint or disciplinary matter.

The SLSA Complaint Resolution Policy can be found here.

In case of injury, members are covered by Workers Compensation – SLSNSW for patrolling, club activities and competition. Please contact the club as soon as possible to report an injury-

Email Shona Rose admin@queenscliffslsc.org.au

QUEENSCLIFF SLSC – CHILD SAFE COMMITMENT STATEMENT

Safeguarding our Children – Codes of Conduct

Our Club is committed to the safety and wellbeing of every child and young person who takes part in our activities, programs, events or services and will work to create an environment in which children and young people are safe and feel safe at all times.

Queensie recognises the importance of protecting young people under the age of 18 from abuse, harm and exploitation.  It is everyone’s responsibility to treat children and young people respectfully and follow child safe legislation and the SLSA Child Safe Policy. The Child Safe Code of Conduct applies to all members and associated parties as outlined in the Child Safe Policy.

Resources, webinars and online training courses are available to all members, providing clear guidelines of appropriate behaviour when engaging with children and young people.  All members are encouraged to complete the Child Safe Awareness online course found in the e-learning section of your members portal.

Child Safety and the SLSA Child Safe Policy 6.04

Queensie takes seriously its responsibility to deliver a safe, fair and inclusive environment for children and young people involved in Surf Lifesaving. Queenscliff promotes equity, respect and diversity by:

• Creating and maintaining a child safe culture that is understood, endorsed and put into action to protect our young members;
• Actively anticipating our young members’ diverse circumstances and responding effectively to those with additional vulnerabilities;
• Empowering our young members by giving them a voice and encouraging them to speak up on decisions that affect them; creating a fun and positive environment whilst providing them access to information and support.
• Paying attention to our young members who come from culturally diverse backgrounds, anyone who has identified as LGBTIQ and understanding the needs of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members; and Queenscliff is committed to keeping our young members safe from abuse and neglect.

Queensie appoints an individual to the role of Child Protection Officer (CPO) who is there for members should they encounter any issues.   The Child Protection Officer is responsible for ensuring the implementation and review of all child protection activities at the club.  This includes receiving and acting upon any reported concerns for the welfare of our young members and promoting best safeguarding practice. The Child Protection Officer is also a member of the Welfare and Support team to provide support not just to the children, but any member of the club. The CPO will act as an independent person, acting in the interests of the member.

Email Karla Prince at  CPO@queenscliffslsc.org.au

All members within Queensie, regardless of role or level of responsibility, must act to keep our young members safe from such any bullying, abuse or general harm. They do this by adopting the practices and behaviour SLSA has set as its standard when carrying out their roles, and reporting any concerning behaviours or reasonable belief of abuse or neglect of which they become aware to the MPIO (Phil Oxley at mpio@queenscliffslsc.org.au or Kelly McFadden at mpio2@queenscliffslsc.org.au) or any Person in Position of Authority in the club.  The SLS guidelines for child safety can be found at  http://sls.com.au/childsafe.

All members within Queensie, regardless of role or level of responsibility, must act to keep our young members safe from such any bullying, abuse or general harm. They do this by adopting the practices and behaviour SLSA has set as its standard when carrying out their roles, and reporting any concerning behaviours or reasonable belief of abuse or neglect of which they become aware to the MPIO (Phil Oxley at mpio@queenscliffslsc.org.au or Kelly McFadden at mpio2@queenscliffslsc.org.au) or any Person in Position of Authority in the club.  The SLS guidelines for child safety can be found at  http://sls.com.au/childsafe.

Working with Children Check (WWCC)

Members in Child related roles may be required to provide a Working with Children Check to the club to be verified with the Office of Children’s Guardian. Failure to do so will result in suspension from any child related roles. Some exclusions apply. To check if you are required to have a WWCC, follow the guidelines below:

WWCC guidelines

 Queensie & SLSA:   Rights & Responsibilities

Queensie’s young members, leaders and the organisation reserve certain rights as members and carry with them certain responsibilities.

Young Members have the right:

• To be safe;
• To be listened to;
• To be respected;
• To privacy;
• To take calculated risks in a protective environment;
• To an inclusive environment;
• To be referred to professional help if needed; and
• To be protected from abuse by other members or outside sources.

Young members are responsible for:

i. Showing respect to other young members and SLSA leaders;

ii. Keeping themselves safe;

iii. Accurately reporting inappropriate behaviour or risky situations for youth members

Queensie leaders have the right to:

• Access to ongoing training and information on all aspects of leading/managing surf lifesaving activities for youths, particularly member protection;
• Support in the reporting of suspected abuse;
• Access to professional support services; and
• Fair and equitable treatment by SLSA according to SLSA

Queensie leaders are responsible for:

i. Fostering team work to ensure the safety of young members in their care;

ii.  Using appropriate team management behaviour;

iii. Responding to youth members’ statements concerns about alleged abuse;

iv.  Ensuring the rights and responsibilities of youth members are enforced;

v.   Reporting suspected abuse to the appropriate SLSA authority;

vi.  Not abusing members physically, emotionally or sexually;

vii. Maintaining confidentiality about sensitive information as designated by the appropriate SLSA authority.

Child Safe Reporting

Keeping children and young people safe relies on community members reporting their concerns.

All Queensie members have a responsibility to speak up if they become aware of or observe something considered inappropriate. Please contact an MPIO (Phil Oxley at mpio@queenscliffslsc.org.au or Kelly McFadden at mpio2@queenscliffslsc.org.au) and/or submit the concerns through the online reporting portal:

• Visit https://complaints.sls.com.au/ and click on ‘Child Safe Matter’.
• Follow the question prompts, noting you may wish to remain anonymous.
• Click submit once finished. Your report will then be sent to SLSNSW for investigation.

All reports submitted will be treated in confidence and with the utmost respect for all those involved.

Other Information

• SLSA Social Media Policy 6.20

In addition to current SLSA policies, no member shall post or share any information or photography on a social media platform or talk to the media regarding any first aid or major incidents on patrol or during SLS and club events unless approved by QSLSC president or Deputy President.

• Child Safe Guarding click here
• SLSNSW WWC Guidelines Click Here
• Click Here to Renew or Register for a WWC number