CHILD SAFE POLICY
As a condition of enrolment at South Coast Elite, students and their parents or guardians agree to abide by all the policies set
forth by South Coast Elite its Owner, Director, faculty and staff.
In certain circumstances, when it is in the best interest of South Coast Elite or one or more students, it may be necessary for
the club owner or Director to terminate a student’s enrolment. Termination of an enrolment is at the sole discretion of the
club owner or Director without notice and effective immediate.
Where appropriate every effort will be made to correct a problematic situation before terminating enrolment Providing reason
(s) for termination of enrolment are at the sole discretion of the club Owner or Director.
These may include however are not limited to:
• Disruptive or dangerous behaviour by students or their parents
• Risk and harm of other children, staff, or property
• Inability of SCE to meet the child’s needs
• Failure to continually pay tuition fees
Any termination of enrolment is not subject to appeal by Law. Any property belonging to SCE must be returned immediately.
Upon termination of enrolment refunds will not be provided for any fees paid. Any fees owed to SCE at the time of termination
will be payable in full effective immediate.
**SCE Policies and Procedures may be updated to amended from time to time without notice**
Contents
1. Purpose
2. Context
3. Scope
4. Commitment to child safety
5. Children’s participation
6. Recruitment practices
7. Code of Conduct
8. Support for employees and volunteers
9. Reporting and responding to the suspicion that a child or young person may be at risk
10. Strategies to minimise risk
11. Harassment/bullying
12. Communication
13. Related policies and procedures
14. Risk Register & Review Date
15. Acknowledgement Form
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1. Purpose
This policy was written to demonstrate the strong commitment of South Coast Elite to child safety and establishing and
maintaining child safe and child friendly environments. This policy will outline the roles and responsibilities for everyone
involved at South Coast Elite.
2. Context
This policy reflects our commitment to provide a safe environment where every person has the right to be treated with respect
and is safe and protected from harm.
It complies with our obligations under:
• Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 which requires prescribed organisations to provide safe environments for
children and young people as set out in the legislation
• Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016 which sets out the obligations of persons or bodies who provide a service or
undertake an activity that constitutes child-related work including ensuring these people have a valid Working with
Children Check (WWCC).
3. Scope
This policy, from the date of endorsement, applies to all people involved in the organisation, including:
• employees (permanent and casual)
• volunteers
• contractors
• sub-contractors
• work experience students
• indirect service providers
• any other individual involved in this organisation
Note: In this policy, the term “employee” is intended to cover all persons occupying any position listed above
4. Commitment to child safety
All children who come to South Coast Elite have a right to feel and be safe. We are committed to the safety and well-being of
all children and young people accessing our services and the welfare of the children in our care will always be our first priority.
We aim to create a child safe and child friendly environment where all children are valued and feel safe.
This policy was developed in collaboration with all our employees, volunteers, the children who use our services and their
parents.
5. Children’s participation
South Coast Elite encourages and respects the views of children and young people who access our services. We listen to and
act upon any concerns that children, young people or their families raise with us. We teach children what they can do if they
feel unsafe.
We ensure that children, young people and their families know their rights and how to access the complaints procedures
available to them.
We value diversity and do not tolerate any discriminatory practices.
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6. Recruitment practices
South Coast Elite takes all reasonable steps to ensure that it engages the most suitable and appropriate people to work with
children. We employ a range of screening measures and apply best practice standards in the screening and recruitment of
employees and volunteers.
South Coast Elite meets the requirements of the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016.
We choose suitable employees and volunteers to work with children and young people. At South Coast Elite our recruitment
process includes requiring a working with children check as stated in the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016
Our recruitment strategies that we have adopted to ensure the most suitable workers or volunteer include:
• Clear positions descriptions, written applications
• Working with children checks
• Referee and qualification checks
• On-the-job observation and probationary periods.
In addition, any SCE employees or volunteers who are under investigation in relation to a matter involving risk or harm to a
child will be prohibited by SCE management, from participating in all SCE services, programs or events.
7. Code of Conduct
All members are made aware of, and must abide by, our Code of Conduct. Our Code of Conduct was developed in
collaboration with all our employees, volunteers, the children who use our services and their parents.
This Code of Conduct outlines appropriate standards of behaviour by adults towards children.
The Code of Conduct aims to protect children and reduce any opportunities from risk or harm to occur. It also helps staff and
volunteers by providing them with guidance on how to best support children and how to avoid or better manage difficult
situations. This Code of Conduct applies to all people involved in South Coast Elite activities, including staff, coaches, officials,
volunteers and parents.
All South Coast Elite staff and volunteers are responsible for promoting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
by:
• Adhering to our Child Safe Policy, this Code of Conduct and other South Coast Elite policies
• Taking all reasonable steps to protect children from risk and harm
• Treating everyone with respect, including listening to and valuing their ideas and opinions
• Welcoming all children and their families and carers and being inclusive
• Respecting cultural, religious and political differences and acting in a culturally sensitive way, particularly when
interacting with children who are Aboriginal or otherwise culturally or linguistically diverse and those with a disability
• Modelling appropriate adult behaviour
• Listening to children and responding to them appropriately
• Reporting and acting on any breaches of this Code of Conduct, complaints or concerns appropriately and treat them
seriously and with respect.
• Complying with our guidelines on physical contact with children
• Working with children in an open and transparent way – other adults should always know about the work you are
doing with children
• Respecting the privacy of children and their families, and only disclosing information to people who have a need to
know.
South Coast Elite staff and volunteers MUST NOT:
• Seek to use children in any way to meet the needs of adults
• Ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse
• Use prejudice, oppressive behaviour or language with children
• Engage in rough physical games
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• Discriminate on the basis of; age, gender, race, culture, vulnerability or sexuality
• Initiate unnecessary physical contact with children or do things of a personal nature that children can do for
themselves, such as toileting or changing clothes
• Develop ‘special’ relationships with specific children or show favouritism through the provision of gifts or
inappropriate attention
• Be alone with a child, without other staff, or appointed South Coast Elite member in the facility.
• Exchange personal contact details such as phone number, social networking site or email addresses with children
• Have unauthorised contact with children and young people online or by phone.
8. Support for employees and volunteers
South Coast Elite seeks to attract and retain the best employees and volunteers. We provide support and supervision, so
people feel valued, respected and fairly treated. We ensure that employees/volunteers who work with children have ongoing
supervision, support and training so that their capacity is developed and enhanced to promote the establishment and
maintenance of a child safe environment.
Strategies we have implemented include:
• All new employees undergo induction and receive a copy of our child safe policy and code of conduct.
• All employees receive regular supervision sessions that include a focus on ongoing learning about child protection and
other matters that affect children and young people.
• Continual guidance and updated information in regard to cheerleading coaching and training.
9. Reporting and responding to the suspicion that a child or young person may be at risk
- A person may, while participating in the sport or other activities associated with SCE or carrying out their work, form a belief
on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection from harm.
If a person is concerned about an immediate risk to a child’s safety, the person must phone “000” as soon as practicable.
Child risk and harm can be divided into four categories:
1. Physical harm: occurs when a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant harm as a result of a physical injury,
such as a non-accidental physical injury.
2. Sexual harm: occurs when a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant harm as a result of sexual harm, such as
when a child is exploited, or used by another for his or her sexual gratification or sexual arousal, or for that of others.
3. Emotional and psychological harm: occurs when a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, emotional or psychological
harm of such a kind that the child’s emotional or intellectual development is or is likely to be significantly damaged;
and
4. At risk: occurs when a child’s physical development or health has been, or is likely to be significantly damaged. It
refers to an omission, such as depriving a child of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision
and safety, attachment to and affection from adults, or medical care.
Child abuse includes any actions that results in actual or potential harm to a child, in circumstances where the child’s parents
have not protected, or are unlikely to protect, the child.
Mandatory reporters
Select classes of people in the community (including teachers, nurses and doctors) are required by law to report to the
Department of Child Protection where they have formed a belief, on reasonable grounds, that a child is in need of protection
because they have suffered (or are likely to suffer) significant harm due to physical or sexual abuse. The South Australian Police
must be contacted on 000 if it is an emergency.
This report must be made as soon as practicable, and after each occasion where he or she becomes aware of a further
reasonable ground for the belief.
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Reasonable grounds for belief
A reasonable belief is formed if a reasonable person believes that:
• the child is in need of protection;
• the child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm as a result of physical or sexual injury; and
• the child’s parents are unable or unwilling to protect the child.
• To form a reasonable belief, you should consider and objectively assess all the relevant facts, such as the source of the
allegation and how it was communicated, the nature of and details of the allegation, and whether there are any other
related matters known regarding the alleged perpetrator.
• A ‘reasonable belief’ or a ‘belief on reasonable grounds’ is not the same as having proof, but is more than mere
rumour or speculation.
You will have reasonable grounds to notify if:
• a child states that they have been physically or sexually harmed;
• a child states that they know someone who has been physically or sexually harmed (sometimes the child may be
talking about themselves);
• someone who knows a child states that the child has been physically or sexually harmed;
• professional observations of the child’s behaviour or development leads a professional to form a belief that the child
has been physically or sexually abused or is likely to be abused; or
• signs of harm lead to a belief that the child has been physically or sexually harmed.
Voluntary reporters
In addition to the mandatory reporting obligations above, any person who believes on reasonable grounds that a child is in
need of protection from any form of child abuse, may disclose that information to the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) on 13 14
78 or to the South Australian Police on 000 if is an emergency.
Reporting child sexual harm
If a person receives information that leads them to form a reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed in South
Australia against a child by another person, the person has a legal obligation to disclose that information to the Child Abuse
Report Line as soon as it is practicable; or to the South Australian Police if it is an emergency.
Approach to reports of harm
SCE supports and encourages a person to make a report to the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) on 13 14 78 if they form a belief
on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection, or they are concerned about the safety, health or wellbeing of a
child.
• Any person that makes a report in good faith in accordance with their reporting obligations (whether mandatory or
discretionary) will be supported by SCE and will not be penalised by SCE for making the report.
• If a person is uncertain as to whether they should make a report to an external authority in relation to the safety of a
child, they may speak to the SCE Management for guidance and information. If in doubt, ask for assistance.
• If an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer, SCE will follow the reporting procedure outlined in SCE
Child Safe Policy and take all steps to ensure that the safety of the child is paramount. An initial step will involve the
withdrawal of the accused person from active duty, which could entail standing down, reassignment to a role without
direct contact with children, working under closer supervision during an investigation, or any other measures deemed
appropriate depending on the seriousness of the allegation.
• SCE will investigate allegations of inappropriate conduct against a child in accordance with procedural fairness and will
handle the allegations in a confidential manner to the greatest extent possible.
• SCE will cooperate with the directions of the South Australian Police and/or the Department of Child Protection in
relation to any investigation conducted by these authorities.
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• SCE will keep a register of any allegations regarding inappropriate conduct.
South Coast Elite will not tolerate incidents that put children at risk. South Coast Elite will follow all necessary steps to ensure
that children and young people are kept safe from harm.
From time to time we provide opportunities for employees to attend information sessions about these mandatory reporting
obligations (Note: offering formal training for staff and volunteers is not a legal requirement). We also ensure that employees
have access to relevant information resources such as:
• Child safe environment: Guidelines for mandated notifiers and information for organisations (available to view or
download from www.families.sa.gov.au/childsafe)
• Families SA reporting child abuse website: http://www.dfc.sa.gov.au/pub/default.aspx?tabid=485
• Free online SMART (Strategies for Managing Abuse Related Trauma) Learning package, developed by the Australian
Childhood Foundation: www.childhood.org.au)
We ensure that support is also available for the employee making the report, particularly where an ongoing service is provided
to the child, young person and their family.
Supporting children, young people and their families
Child Protection is everyone’s responsibility. South Coast Elite recognises that even where a report is made, we may still have a
role in supporting the child or young person. This support may include:
• Referring the child, young person or their family to other appropriate services.
• Displaying information about services that can assist children and their families (such as the Kids Helpline and Youth
Healthline) in areas accessed by children and their families.
10. Strategies to minimise risk
South Coast Elite has a documented risk management plan that identifies, assesses and takes steps to minimise and prevent
risk of harm to children because of the action or inaction of a person involved in the organisation (including an employee,
volunteer or another child).
Policies and procedures –
• Transportation – it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that children are signed into the studio and picked up on
time.
• Taking images of children – Due to child protection laws and privacy issues, we are unable to allow parents to take
photos or videos of students during any Open Days or concerts.
South Coast Elite may take photos of the students in cheerleading uniforms or during class time – with the permission
signed for by the parents – these photos may be used for advertising and or social media – if parents have consented
to such.
Parents must indicate on their child’s enrolment form if they give permission for their child to be photographed and
for their image to be used on the South Coast Elite website or Facebook page or in club publications.
Please note that no surnames are used with photos on any website or in club publications.
• Supervision of children – children are under full supervision while in the gym by the coach – it is the parent’s
responsibility to ensure the students care and safety outside of the gym.
• Complaints procedures – Any complaints about employees, volunteers, athletes or parents must be made directly to
the owner, Nyomi Young. This can be in person or via email (southcoastelite@outlook.com). Nyomi Young will follow
this matter up in a respectful and confidential matter and all complaints will be recorded and stored in a locked filing
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cabinet. SCE asks that any matters are kept confidential and are not shared with other members of South Coast Elite.
Where necessary employees will be made aware of the issue if Nyomi Young feels it is a matter of safety or where
children need to be safe from harm.
• Physical contact – see Code of Conduct.
• Responsibilities – see Code of Conduct.
• Protecting privacy and confidentiality- Information pertaining to students and/or their families, whether financial,
personal, or confidential, is never to be discussed with anyone other than the director. As a condition of employment,
staff must and hereby do agree that all such information is the exclusive property of South Coast Elite and that they
will not at any time disclose to anyone any such information, whether or not it has been specifically designated as
“confidential.” If they are ever unsure of their obligations regarding this policy, it is their responsibility to consult with
the director for clarification.
• Toilet Policy - If a child is unable to toilet themselves, parents are required to wait in the waiting room for the entire
class so that they can assist their own child when the need arises. For those students that can toilet themselves and a
parent cannot be located in the waiting room, class helpers will escort the child to the toilet and ensure their safe
return to class, but due to child protection issues they will be unable to assist children inside the toilet cubicle. Parents
are encouraged to discuss this policy with their children.
As a professional I believe that I am a part of a community of care. While working with children to develop their skills and
appreciation of dance in a positive supportive environment, I am committed to their safety and wellbeing. I will treat them
with respect and understanding at all times.
In order to ensure children and young people are kept safe from harm I will:
• Supervise the children at all times during cheerleading classes.
• Ensure that any member of my staff with whom your child may come in contact is aware of child abuse and child
protection.
• Ensure that no visitors or outsiders have contact with the children.
• Notify you if I am unable to teach your child/children.
• Only allow the child to go home with a nominated person for whom permission has been given.
• Notify the Department of Child Safety if I suspect or am told that your child is being harmed at home.
• Notify the police if I suspect or am told that your child is being harmed outside the home.
• Notify the Department of Child Safety if I am concerned that your child is self-harming.
11.Harassment/bullying
South Coast Elite opposes all forms of harassment, discrimination, exclusion and bullying. We take this issue seriously and
encourage anyone who believes that they, or another person, has been harassed, discriminated against, excluded intentionally
or bullied to raise this issue with the owner/director Nyomi Young.
12. Communication
South Coast Elite will ensure that everyone to whom this policy applies is aware of and has had an opportunity to read the
policy.
We also ask employees, volunteers and parents (where appropriate) to sign a written statement indicating that they have read
and will abide by our child-safe policy. We retain a copy of all signed statements.
As stated in Chapter 8 (Section 114(5)) of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 requires that an organisation must,
at the request of a parent or caregiver, produce for inspection a copy of the child safe environments policies and procedures
prepared or adopted by the organisation. These policies and procedure will be readily available for any requests.
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13.Related policies and procedures
• South Coast Elite child safe code of conduct as signed at enrolment
• South Coast Elite Acknowledgement Statement to be signed by employees, volunteers and parents/guardians
indicating they have read and will abide by this policy- see end of document
• South Coast Elite Risk management strategy and procedures developed to manage risks and protect children and
young people
14. Risk Register & Review Date
RISK REGISTER
Risks Likelihood Consequences Level of
Risk Treatment to prevent or reduce risk
Parent does not
arrive to pick child up Possible Moderate High
·Procedure for drop off and pick up provided
to parent and discussed
·Parent provides two other contacts if unable
to pick up child
·Child to be in sight at all times until parent
arrives
Child says that he/she
does not want to go
home with parent
Unlikely Major High
·Ask child for reason
·If answer suggests harm to child from
someone at home, report to relevant
authorities
·If not discuss issue with parent
Child discloses that
he/she is being
physically harmed by
parent/sibling
Possible Major Extreme
·Depending on information given either report
or discuss with parent
·Ring Department of Child Safety to clarify if
unsure and to report disclosure
Child discloses that
he/she is being
sexually abused by
parent or family
member
Possible Major Extreme
·Report to Department of Child Safety
·Provide support to child through Crisis Care if
necessary
Child discloses that
he/she is being
sexually abused by
someone outside the
family
Possible Major Extreme
·Report to police
·Proved support to child and notify
parents
Child complains to
parent that during
cheerleading lesson
he/she was verbally
abused
Unlikely Major High
·Provide copy of teacher code of conduct and
commitment to protecting children from harm
·Provide procedures for making complaint
·Request that parent attend lessons to observe
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Child complains to
parent that during
lesson he/she was
physically or sexually
abused
Possible Major Extreme
·Refer parent to code of conduct but also their
right to report these claims after having
clarified issue with child
·Parent to inform teacher of any issue that the
child has in relation to a lesson to clarify issue
Child presents with
depression, sadness
and some talk of self-
harm
Possible Major Extreme ·Report behaviour immediately
Child’s behaviour
makes lesson
untenable and could
cause harm to child
or teacher
Possible Moderate High
·Refer child to code of conduct ·Speak with
parent about child’s behaviour involving child
in that discussion
·Require that parent immediately picks up
child from lesson ·Require parent to attend
any future lessons
If you have any concerns about my Child Protection Policy and Risk Management Strategy please contact me on
0408 811 712
Evaluation of these strategies and the development of additional strategies to minimise and control risks to children and young
people occur as part of our ongoing risk management process. South Coast Elite will review the policies and procedures once
every 5 years as required by the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017
Approved by:
Nyomi Young Dated January 27, 2021 Review date: January 27, 2026
15. Acknowledgement Form
Acknowledgement Form
IMPORTANT NOTE: Requiring that employees/volunteers sign an acknowledgement form could possibly prevent later claims
of ignorance of your school policies.
This Child Safe Policy has been prepared to enhance your understanding of the child safe policies, practices, and procedures of
South Coast Elite, it is important that you read this entire document. We reserve the right to make changes at any time without
notice and to interpret these policies and procedures at the discretion of the director. This Child Safe Policy supersedes all prior
documents and previously issued policies.
After you finish reading this Child Safe policy and within seven (7) days of receipt of it, please sign, date, and return this
Acknowledgement Form. Make a copy of these pages for your records before submitting them.
By signing below, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the policies outlined in this Child Safe Policy. You agree
to comply with the policies contained in this document and to read and understand any revisions to it and be bound by them.
You understand that this document is intended only as a general reference and is not intended to cover every situation that
may arise during your employment. This Child Safe policy is not a full statement of South Coast Elites policies and procedures.
Any questions about its contents can be discussed with the director/owner.
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Employee/Volunteer name (print legibly) ________________________________
If this release is obtained from an Employee/Volunteer under the age of 18, then the signature of that presenter’s parent or
legal guardian is also required.
Parent’s Signature_____________________ Date___________________________
Employee’s Signature __________________ Date __________________________
