THE IMPORTANCE OF MEMBER PROTECTION

Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club (“Queensie”) is committed to the health, safety, protection, welfare and well-being of all its members and is dedicated to providing a safe, fun and enjoyable 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.

The Member Protection Policy conveys a message to all Queensie members, and prospective members, responsible for surf lifesaving activities, particularly those involving members under 18 years of age, about minimising risk exposure of these members. We take an inclusive approach, ensuring all of our members are treated with respect and dignity and are protected from discrimination, harassment and abuse regardless of gender, age, ability or nationality.

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

MPIO: Jamie Grant and Kelly McFadden

Complaints Manager: Maddie Perkins

Child Safe Coordinator: Leishea Grant

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 and Information Officer (“MPIO”) who is there for members should they encounter any issues.   The MPIO will act as an independent person, acting in the interests of the member.  Your MPIO for the 22/23 season is Jamie Grant (who is also the Under 11 age Manager) and Kelly McFadden.

Jamie 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, you can contact the MPIO at Sydney Northern Beaches Branch office.

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: https://www.surflifesaving.com.au/members/policies/slsa-policy-6-06-complaints-resolution/

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 Carla Thornton admin@queenscliffslsc.org.au

QUEENSCLIFF SLSC – CHILD SAFE COMMITMENT STATEMENT

Safeguarding our Children – Codes of Conduct

Our Club is committed to the safeguarding of children and young people in Surf Life Saving through the SLSA Safeguarding Children and Young People Program https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZePyxG9ey8&ab_channel=SurfLifeSavingAustralia.

The Code of Conduct represents the minimum standards of member behaviour and must be complied with at all times.  Within that framework we strive to create a safe, positive and inclusive environment for all members.

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. 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.  Your CPO for the 22/23 season is Leishea Grant

Email Leishea 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 (insert hyperlink for email address) 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.

NSW Working with Children (WWCC)

Queensie has a strong interest in keeping children safe. As a club, we comply with the Child Protection legislation where all members in child-related roles are required to have a WWCC.

The WWCC is managed by the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) and involves a national criminal history check and review of findings of workplace misconduct. The result of a WWCC is either a clearance to work with children for five years, or a bar against working with children. Cleared applicants are subject to ongoing monitoring, and relevant new records may lead to the clearance being revoked.

All NSW Surf Life Saving (SLS) members and employees (over the age of 18years) require a WWWCC from April 2015 if they are undertaking a child-related role. However, whilst there are a number of exemptions, which are explained here in  Child Protection and the NSW Working With Children Check guidelines, we do ask all active members to provide the club with their WWCC.

 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;
• 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 report 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;
• 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.

SLSA Reporting Guidelines

All Queenscliff SLSC members have a responsibility to speak up if they become aware of, or observe something considered inappropriate. Please contact our club’s MPIO, Jamie Grant or Kelly McFadden or follow the guidelines below.

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

Guide to Making a Report

Other Information

• SLSA Social Media Policy 6.20

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

• Club Member Safe guarding click here
• SLSNSW WWC Guidelines Click Here
• Click Here to Renew or Register for a WWC number