Child Protection & Welfare
Endeavour Volleyball Club is unequivocally committed to the protection and well-being of all children and young people (defined as individuals under 18 years of age) participating in our programs. This commitment is central to our club’s philosophy and directly addresses Criterion G05 (Child Protection and Welfare) of the Volleyball NSW Club Licensing System Regulations, ensuring compliance with all mandatory requirements for safeguarding.
Endeavour Volleyball Club implements the Volleyball Australia Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy.
All staff and volunteers are required to hold current NSW Working With Children Checks. We strictly observe reporting and response procedures under the National Integrity Framework and maintain a designated Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO).
Our safeguarding practices meet or exceed the statutory requirements of the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 (NSW) and align with Volleyball NSW’s approach (see local policy).
In alignment with Volleyball Australia’s Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy (effective 1 February 2024), Endeavour Volleyball Club adopts a zero-tolerance approach to any form of harm, abuse, or neglect. We uphold the rights of children and young people to feel safe, protected, and able to participate in volleyball in a positive, enjoyable, and inclusive environment.
Our measures are proactive and preventative, focusing on safety, wellbeing, participation, and empowerment for all youth, from Under 14 to Under 18 years of age, allowing them to thrive in the sport.
Scope and Application:
This policy applies to all Relevant Persons at Endeavour Volleyball Club, including employees, contractors, volunteers, coaches, administrators, participants, and members, as well as the club as a Relevant Organisation. It covers all interactions with children and young people arising from involvement in volleyball activities, in accordance with the VA policy’s scope.
Commitments:
Endeavour Volleyball Club commits to:
- Providing a safe and inclusive environment that promotes respect, diversity, and cultural safety, with particular attention to vulnerable groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities, those in out-of-home care, and individuals of diverse genders or sexualities.
- Adopting and implementing a Child/Young Person Safe Commitment Statement (as recommended in Appendix 1 of the VA policy), which outlines our dedication to child safety standards and zero tolerance for prohibited conduct.
- Complying with relevant New South Wales child protection legislation, including the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 and the Child Safe Standards, as well as Volleyball NSW requirements.
Responsibilities:
- All Relevant Persons must comply with state/territory child protection obligations, report suspected abuse, provide accurate information during recruitment, and familiarize themselves with reporting requirements. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary or criminal proceedings.
- The club, as a Relevant Organisation, is responsible for responding to child abuse allegations, implementing child safety standards, and supporting Relevant Persons in fulfilling their duties. To ensure robust implementation, we have appointed a dedicated Child Safeguarding Officer / Member Protection Information Officer (currently [Name/Position, e.g., Jane Doe]) within our administration. This role oversees the development, implementation, and monitoring of child safeguarding measures, including regular reviews and updates to our practices.
Recruitment and Screening Procedures:
In line with the VA policy (Appendix 3: Child-Related Position Assessment Recommendations), we assess all roles (new and existing, paid and volunteer) for child-related involvement.
For positions involving contact with children (e.g., coaching, supervision, transport, or overnight activities):
- We require current Working With Children Checks (WWCC) from the Office of the Children’s Guardian NSW, with clearances verified, registered, and renewed as needed.
All relevant staff, including Coaches, hold valid WWCCs.
- Recruitment includes thorough interviews, reference checks (with at least one focused on child safety), and verification of qualifications to ensure suitability for working with children.
Education and Training:
We reinforce safeguarding through mandatory education:
- Per Criterion CD03 of the Club Licensing Regulations, all administration and technical coaching staff complete essential integrity courses, including the Sport Integrity – Safeguarding Children and Young People module.
- All Level 2 and higher accredited coaches complete the Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Induction.
- Additional training is provided on recognizing signs of abuse, mandatory reporting, and creating child-safe environments, with annual refreshers for all Relevant Persons to build awareness and compliance.
Risk Management:
We proactively identify and mitigate risks through:
- Regular risk assessments of activities, venues, and programs (e.g., youth development sessions).
- Implementation of codes of conduct for all Relevant Persons, emphasizing appropriate behavior and boundaries.
- Measures to prevent grooming, exploitation, or other harms, including supervision protocols and safe transport guidelines.
Reporting and Responding to Concerns:
Endeavour Volleyball Club follows the VA policy’s procedures for reporting and responding (including the ‘Responding to Child Abuse Allegations’ process):
• All suspicions or allegations of child abuse, harm, or prohibited conduct must be reported immediately to the Child Safeguarding Officer, relevant authorities (e.g., NSW Police or Department of Communities and Justice), or via Volleyball Australia’s complaints process.
- We ensure confidential, timely, and impartial investigations, with support for reporters and affected parties. Mandatory reporting obligations under NSW law are strictly enforced.
- Prohibited conduct, as defined in the VA policy, includes physical/sexual abuse, emotional harm, neglect, grooming, and exposure to family violence.
Support for Children and Young People:
We prioritize the child’s voice and wellbeing by:
- Encouraging children to speak up about concerns through accessible feedback mechanisms (e.g., anonymous reporting forms on our website).
- Providing access to support services, counseling, or referrals as needed following incidents.
- Fostering an empowering environment where children feel valued and heard, with tailored support for those with additional vulnerabilities.
By embedding these practices, Endeavour Volleyball Club not only meets but exceeds the requirements of Criterion G05, creating a safe, fair, and inclusive space for all youth to excel in volleyball. For detailed information on our Child Safeguarding measures, policies, and the full Child/Young Person Safe Commitment Statement, please visit our website: Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy.
This statement is reviewed annually by our Governing Body to ensure ongoing effectiveness and alignment with best practices.