Working with Children
Safeguarding of Children and Young People
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.
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Coalcliff SLSC 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.
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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.
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Working with Children Check
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:
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​What is the Working with Children Check?
The WWCC is managed by the Office of the Children’s Guardian 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. A Check is a prerequisite for anyone in child related work.
Do Surf Life Saving Members need a Working with Children Check?
All NSW Surf Life Saving Club members and employees (over 18 years of age) require a WWCC if they are undertaking a child related role. However, there are a number of exemptions which are explained below.
Exemptions for the Working with Children Check
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Children under the age of 18
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Administrative, clerical, maintenance or ancillary work not ordinarily involving contact with children for extended periods
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Very short term work: not more than a total of 5 days in a calendar year (eg. parent helpers on a bbq)
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Volunteering by a parent or close relative with a team, program or other activity* in which their child usually participates or is a team member (the vast majority of our Nipper Age Mangers fall into this category)
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Co-workers and supervisors where a child works. (eg. patrolling members in the senior Club fall into this category)
Nippers
The child can be in any group on the beach. As long as the child is enrolled in Nippers and regularly attends, their parent/close relative is exempt. This is due to the fact that Nippers activities happen on the same day, and at the same location, no matter which group the child is in.
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*Other activity – The child must be in the same group for the parent/close relative exemption to apply. This is because other activities can happen in isolation from other groups.
For further information relating to WWCC contact president@coalcliffslsc.com.au
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