Child Safe Policy

Every child in Victoria has the right to participate and be safe in a sporting environment.

Child safety in the sporting environment means protecting children from abuse, providing safety and empowering children’s voices. In Victoria, children aged 5 to 14 are the highest participation rates in any organized sports. Child Safety should be a core strategy for any sporting organization that attract and retain members below the age of 18.

New child safe policy has come into effect from 1^st July 2022, to better protect children and increase their participation in sports. From 1st July, there will be a transition from 7 standards to 11 new child safe standards. These new standards include new requirements from organizations which are briefed below:

• To involve families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe
• More emphasis is given to protect Aboriginal children and young people
• These standards help organisations to manage the risk of child abuse in an online environment
• Greater focus on providing better clarity on governance and procedures to keep children safe

Overview of the new standards are as follows:

1. Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued
2. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance, and culture
3. Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
4. Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing
5. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice
6. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice
7. Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused
8. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training
9. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed
10. Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved
11. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

For further information about the changes in standards from the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP), please click the links below:

Victoria’s new Child Safe Policy.

Vicsport Child Safe information and resources.

An overview of the Child Safe Standards.

FAQs on Victoria’s new Child Safe Standards.

If your club has any questions, please contact any of our staff from Sport North East.