Last Edited: June 6, 2025

Commitment to the safety of children and young people

Kelly Sports is committed to providing a safe environment for all children and young people.

This policy complies with:

• South Australia: The Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 and the Child Safe Environments principles, the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016
• Victoria: The Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005, Children, Youth and Families Act 2005, the Child Safety Standard, Working with Children's Act (2005)
• New South Wales: The Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998, Child Protection *Working with Children) Act 2012 and the Child Safety Standards.(NSW)
• National: The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

We welcome all children and young people regardless of their abilities, sex, gender, socioeconomic background, or cultural identity. We do not tolerate bullying, harassment, or discrimination.

Scope of Policy

This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, work placement students, contractors, and board/committee members (“workers”). All workers are required to sign a statement confirming their understanding of and commitment to this policy.

Communication

This policy is available on our website and provided to families as part of their welcome pack. All workers receive a copy during induction.

Children and young people are encouraged to express their views and are informed of their rights in age-appropriate ways. We ensure they know they can speak up, be heard, and raise concerns with any worker or with the help of their parent/guardian.

Code of Conduct

All Kelly Sports workers must:

• Follow this policy at all times.
• Treat all individuals respectfully and equitably.
• Act as positive role models.
• Maintain clear and professional boundaries.
• Respond to children's concerns respectfully and appropriately.
• Always have another adult present during one-on-one activities where possible and appropriate.
• Immediately report concerns of harm or abuse as per the "Reporting and Responding to Harm" section below.
• Promote participation and voice for children and young people.

Workers must not:

• Engage in rough or inappropriate physical games.
• Show favouritism or provide gifts to individuals.
• Perform personal tasks children or young people can do themselves.
• Discriminate for any reason.

All workers over 14 working with children must hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) or equivalent in the relevant state:

• South Australia: Working With Children Check (WWCC) issued by the Department of Human Services (DHS).
• Victoria: Working With Children Check (WWCC) issued by the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
• New South Wales: Working With Children Check (WWCC) issued by the Office of the Children's Guardian.

We verify and link WWCCs to our registration and notify the relevant state authority of any reportable incidents.

Training, Supervision and Support

Training includes:

• Reviewing mandatory reporting information relevant to South Australia, Victoria, and NSW during induction.
• Completing child safe environment training relevant to all three states every 3 years.
• Including child safety in staff meetings.

Supervision includes:

• Regular reviews discussing child safety and wellbeing.

Support includes:

• Comprehensive induction processes.
• Performance appraisals with child safety focus.
• Appointment of a Child Safety Officer.

Reporting and Responding to Harm

We define harm as physical or psychological abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Immediate Risk:

If a child is at immediate risk, call 000.

Suspected Harm:

• South Australia: Mandated notifiers must report suspicions of child abuse or neglect to the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL). Contact details: 13 14 78 (24 hours).
• Victoria: Mandated reporters must report suspicions of child abuse or neglect to Child Protection (Department of Families, Fairness and Housing - DFFH). Contact details: 1300 664 977 (24 hours).
• New South Wales: Mandated reporters must report suspicions of child abuse or neglect to the Child Protection Helpline (Department of Communities and Justice - DCJ). Contact details: 132 111 (24 hours).

All workers (mandated or not) are encouraged to report any risk of harm. Reports to the relevant Child Protection/Child Protection Helpline/CARL/SAPOL or Police must be followed by an internal report to management.

If a report involves a worker, they will be removed from child-facing roles during investigation.

We will:

• Support the child or family as needed.
• Refer to services when appropriate.
• Keep all reports confidential and securely stored.

General Complaints and Feedback

Families are encouraged to provide feedback at enrolment. Complaints can be made verbally to staff, or via:

• Phone: 1300 535 590
• Email: info@kellysports.com.au

Complaints are handled promptly and fairly.

If dissatisfied, families may contact:

• South Australia:
  • Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People: 1800 275 664
  • Health & Community Services Complaints Commissioner: (08) 8226 8666
  • Equal Opportunity Commission (SA): (08)8226 8666
• Victoria:
  • Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP): 1300 782 978
  • Victorian Ombudsman: 03 9613 6222
• New South Wales:
  • Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG): 02 8219 3600
  • NSW Ombudsman: 1800 451 524
• National:
  • Australian Human Rights Commission: 1300 656 419

Risk Management

Related Policies:

• Privacy Policy
• Staff Code of Conduct
• Social Media Policy
• Complaints Handling Procedure

Policy Review:

This policy will be reviewed every 5 years or earlier if:

• There are new risks identified.
• An incident or complaint suggests a need for change.
• There are relevant legislative updates.

Each review will trigger a revised Child Safe Compliance Statement submitted to the relevant state authority (e.g., Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People in SA, Commission for Children and Young People in Victoria, Office of the Children's Guardian in NSW).

Policy date: 6 June 2025

Next review date: 6 June 2030