SPEED AND AGILITY CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
As at March 2020

1 Application
The National Child Protection Policy (Policy) will apply to Speed and Agility Coaches that is conducted or administered by:
(a) A Coach or assistant that is affiliated with Speed and Agility Coaches including:
(b) an entity or body that is affiliated with (or licensed by) Speed and Agility Coaches
The Policy applies to Speed and Agility Coaches athletes; coaches; officials; spectators; volunteers and administrators and all people reasonably connected to Speed and Agility Coaches.

2 Policy Statement
Speed and Agility Coaches are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in Sport.
The rights of children are fundamental. Speed and Agility Coaches support the active participation of children in Sport.
This Policy provides Speed and Agility Coaches guidance to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all children in Sport and to assist with obligations under child protection laws.

3 What is Child Abuse?
Child protection laws apply in each state and territory and cover the reporting and investigation
of child abuse. Speed and Agility Coaches must comply with all applicable child protection laws.
Child abuse involves conduct which puts children, including unborn children, at risk of harm or neglect. Child abuse can be inflicted by adults or other children and can include:
a) Physical abuse by hurting a child or a child’s development (e.g. hitting, shaking or other physical harm; giving a child alcohol or drugs; or training that exceeds the child’s development or maturity).
b) Sexual abuse by adults or other children where a child is encouraged or forced to watch or engage in sexual activity or where a child is subject to any other inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature (e.g. sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, pornography including child pornography or inappropriate touching or conversations).
c) Emotional abuse by ill-treating a child (e.g. humiliation, taunting, sarcasm, yelling, negative criticism, name calling, ignoring or placing unrealistic expectations on a child).
d) Neglect, including medical neglect (e.g. failing to give food, water, shelter or clothing or to protect a child from danger or foreseeable risk of harm or injury).
In addition, Speed and Agility Coaches should ensure that a child is not left unattended without making appropriate arrangements for the child’s supervision and care.

4 Reporting Child Abuse
If Speed and Agility Coaches reasonably suspects or believes that a child needs protection, it should report immediately to the police or the relevant government agency. Speed and Agility Coaches must comply with all applicable mandatory reporting laws. Mandatory reporting is a term used to describe the legislative requirement imposed on selected classes of people to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to government authorities. All Australian states and territories have enacted mandatory reporting laws. However, the laws are not the same across all jurisdictions.
Speed and Agility Coaches must comply with all relevant child protection laws when dealing with a complaint or incidence of child abuse. In particular:
a) Speed and Agility Coaches should deal with all allegations of child abuse promptly and confidentially and should not disclose information about the child, the accused or details of the complaint except as required by law.
b) Speed and Agility Coaches should not attempt to investigate, mediate or conduct any hearing into any allegation of child abuse.

5 Working with Children: Statutory Obligations
Speed and Agility Coaches acknowledges that selecting suitable and appropriate people to work with children is vital. Speed and Agility Coaches should conduct reference checks as far as practicable in relation to people and or employees who are required to work with children. All Members who are required to work with children must comply with the working with children obligations in their state or territory. This may involve a Member undertaking a “working with children check” to determine their suitability to work in a paid or volunteer capacity with children. Information about statutory working with children obligations can be found in the URLs below:
➢ QLD: http://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/
➢ NSW: www.check.kids.nsw.gov.au/
➢ WA: www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au
➢ VIC: www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren
➢ SA www.families.sa.gov.au/pages/protectingchildren
➢ TAS: www.police.tas.gov.au
➢ NT: http://www.workingwithchildren.nt.gov.au
➢ ACT: http://www.ors.act.gov.au/community/working_with_vulnerable_people_wwvp

6 Taking Images of Children
Speed and Agility Coaches should inform the parent/guardian about the nature of the use of the image(s) as well as how the image(s) will be stored and how the image(s) can be accessed by the parent/guardian.
Speed and Agility Coaches should obtain permission from a child’s parent/guardian before using an image of a child. The image(s) should be sufficiently connected to Speed and Agility Coaches and the child should be suitably clothed in a manner that promotes Speed and Agility Coaches. Speed and Agility Coaches should respect the privacy of other Members and must not use camera phones, cameras, video cameras or any other type of recording or photo taking device inside changing areas, showers and toilets.
7 Communication and Review
Speed and Agility Coaches should:
a) distribute and discuss this Policy with all Coaches and employees including during induction sessions for new staff and volunteers;
b) ensure that a copy of this Policy is accessible. Further, the Policy
will be available online at: www.speedandagilitycoaches.com.au and
c) review this Policy at least annually.