Child Safe Standards
SHBA providing you a safe and comfortable environment.
What Are The Childsafe Standards?
Child safety in sport means protecting children from abuse, providing safe, quality experiences and empowering children’s voices. The Victorian Government’s Betrayal of Trust report and the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse highlighted just how significant an issue child safety is within sport and that action is required now.
Basketball Victoria and our Swan Hill Basketball Association is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We support the rights of the child and will act without hesitation to ensure a child safe environment is maintained at all times.
The Victorian Child Safety Standards apply to sporting organisations that operate and provide sporting services to children within Victoria (including National Sporting Organisations). There are several different requirements which make up the standards, and which sports will be required to comply.
The standards relate to child protection within your Association or Club, and include requirements to have practices, procedures and policies in place.
CHILD SAFE POLICY
CHILD SAFE CODE OF CONDUCT
Swan Hill Basketball Child Safety Officer
SHBA are pleased to welcome Sam Mirtschin as our Child Safety Officer. In this important role, Sam will help ensure that our basketball community remains a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where every child feels valued, respected and protected. We look forward to the positive impact Sam will have in supporting our players, families, volunteers, referees and coaches throughout the season.
Swan Hill Basketball Association has a Child Welfare Officer to look over matters concerning child safety and abuse. All members and staff are expected to discuss any concerns that they may have about the welfare of a child IMMEDIATELY with the nominated Child Welfare Officer – Sam.
The Club or Association welfare officer will be required to report all the incidents noted by them to the appropriate authority at Basketball Victoria who will then ascertain whether or not the person/s involved in the incident play a role in the organisation and act accordingly.
Child Safegarding Do’s and Don’ts.
Professional Boundaries:
DON’T!!!
– Provide support unrelated to your role
– Ask Children or young people to keep secrets
– Communicate privately with children or young people, in person or online.
– Take, store or share photos or video footage outside Basketball Victoria Policy.
– Use Behaviour or language that is intimidating or discriminatory.
Professional Boundaries:
DO:
– Be inclusive of all children and young people.
– Ensure all interactions with children and young people are professional and age appropriate.
– Maintain physical, emotional and online boundaries.
– Use positive, inclusive and respectful behaviour and language.
– Seek Advice where a child or young people requires support beyond your role.
Use of Language and Tone of Voice
DON’T
– Use language that is discriminatory, racist or sexist.
– Shame a child or young person, or make derogatory, negative or belittling comments.
– Use language or gestures that are frightening, humiliating or intimidating.
– Allow children and young people to use inappropiate language.
DO:
– Use clear, direct and age-appropriate language.
– Model respect and emotional regulation through your words, tone of voice, facial expressions and body language.
– Focus on a child or young person’s positive behaviour to build confidence and competence.
– Use language that is encouraging and supportive.
– Positivelty reinforce and model expected behaviours.
Racism has no place in basketball, or in any sport. This campaign is an important reminder that creating safe and inclusive environments requires action from all of us, from players and coaches to parents, volunteers, officials and spectators.
“Swan Hill Basketball has zero tolerance to child abuse in any form. All children and young people have the right to participate in basketball environments where they feel safe, encouraged and heard.”
Swan Hill Basketball
Address
15 Gray Street, Swan Hill VIC
Phone
0461 596 947
shba@bigpond.net.au
