Children are the life blood of our sport, without them sailing has no future. As a vulnerable population we need to protect them so they can thrive in our clubs. To this end, the Commission for Children and Young People have updated the Child Safe Standards. The new standards will take effect on July 1st, 2022. 

The standards have been updated to better increase consistency and better reflect the national principles for Child Safe Organisations. The standards will apply to all personnel in your club, including but not limited to instructors, coaches, volunteers, board/committee, and any paid staff.    

The key changes are around involving families and the communities, greater focus on Aboriginal children and young people, managing risks of online environments, and for more clarity around governance to keep children and young people safe. Previously there was 7 standards and 3 principles, the update means there are now 11 standards and no principles.  

To help your club understand and implement the new standards there will be a Vic Sport, child safe speaker at the club conference on the 3rd of July  

RSVP HERE https://www.sailing.org.au/events/139337/ 

What do the new standards mean: 

• Culturally safe environments will be established 
• Children and young people can participate in decisions affecting them 
• Families are informed and involved in decisions affecting their child 
• Both physical and online environments will promote safety and wellbeing 

The new standards are: 

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. Example actions:
   • Be visible about your commitment to a culturally safe environment through strategies such as acknowledgement of country, display of the Aboriginal flag and use of Indigenous location names. 
   • Identify and consult with Traditional Owner groups or Registered Aboriginal Party relevant to your organisation’s location. 
   • Identify and provide training and education opportunities to board, staff and volunteers addressing the creating of culturally safe environments for Aboriginal children and youth. 
2. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture. Example actions: 
   • Review your existing policies and/or develop a new child safe policy or statement of commitment to child safety.  
   • Communicate the statement and policy publicly and widely. This may include your organisations website, newsletters, social media and events.  
   • Ensure board members, staff and volunteers are aware of the organisation’s child safe policy. For example, include child safety material in all induction information packs. 
3. Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously. Example actions: 
   • Provide opportunities for children and young people to have a say in how your organisation is run. This might be through social functions, uniform design or the structure of training sessions.
   • Let children and young people know who they can speak to if they feel unsafe or unsure of something and that their concerns will be listened to. Use a mix of posters, conversations, social media and more. 
4. Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing. Example actions: 
   • Provide families, carers and communities with accessible information about child safety measures in place. 
   • Encourage feedback on what child safety means to families and communities through a range of methods. This could include anonymous surveys, suggestion boxes, or feedback sessions. 
   • Inform families, carers and communities when changes or updates are being made to policies or procedures and invite them to have a say through consultation sessions. 
5. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice. Example actions: 
   • Celebrating diversity through days of significance and events of importance (i.e. Diwali, Pride Month or International Children’s Day). 
   • Have easy to understand, child friendly information about the complaints process – who, what, when and how children and young people can raise an issue. 
   • Ensure diversity and inclusion policies are informed by a range of individuals who have lived experience 
6. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice. Example actions: 
   • All staff and volunteers have provided an up-to-date working with children check before starting work with the organisation.  
   • Regularly schedule discussion about child safety and risk minimisation in staff and team meetings. 
   • Child safety questions are included as part of the interview process. 
7. Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused. Example actions: 
   • A complaint handling processes is developed with input from children and their safety as the central focus. 
   • Complaint handling process is easily accessed and regularly communicated, such as via an organisational email or newsletter. 
   • Education is provided so that individuals understand their legal requirements for employment, reporting and privacy. 
8. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training. Example actions: 
   • Regular training sessions held that may cover recognising indicators of harm or abuse, how to respond to issues, who to report to and what cultural safety is. 
   • Make child safety as part of ongoing professional development requirements. 
   • Discussions at meetings about what the organisation’s child safe policies are and how they work. 
9. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed. Example actions: 
   • Undertake a risk assessment for online environments. 
   • Develop a social media policy and educate staff/volunteers on how it works. 
   • Utilise a two-deep, open and transparent communication practice online with children (i.e. ensure parents/guardians and other organisation representatives are included in online communication). 
10. Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved. Example actions: 
    • Schedule a yearly review of your child safe practices. 
    • Seek input from a variety of individuals for a broad understanding of child safety in your organisation. 
    • When an incident occurs, review what lead to it happening and identify ways to prevent it. 
11. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people. Example actions: 
    • Invite input and feedback from children, young people, families and communities when developing/reviewing policies. 
    • Have child friendly versions of all relevant policies. 
    • Have a dedicated page on your website where child safe information, policies and procedures are stored. Make it obvious and easy to access. 

Quotes from Acting Minister for Child Protection Gabrielle Williams 

“The new child safe standards will help organisations embed child safety into their everyday practice.” 

“This is about keeping Victoria’s children safe – these standards will help organisations, clubs and individuals that interact with children do all they can to prevent abuse and respond quickly if it is alleged.” 

Important documents outlining the new standards: 

These include what the new standards are, the minimum requirement to meet them, the compliance indicators as well as advice and information on how to meet them.  

A guide for creating a Child Safe Organisation 

A Short guide to the Child Safe Standards 

More information 

Overview: What’s New  

Overview: What’s Changed  

List of new Standards 

Useful Resources 

Change Management Guidance (VicSport) 

Child protection & Safe Guarding Course (Play by the Rules) 

How can we involve children and young people in decision making 

Cultural Intelligence in Sport (Play by the Rules)