Member Protection Policy

MEMBER PROTECTION POLICY

MEMBER PROTECTION POLICY

POLICY

  1. Introduction
  2. Purpose of Our Policy
  3. Who Our Policy Applies To
  4. Extent of Our Policy
  5. Club Responsibilities
  6. Individual Responsibilities
  7. Protection of Children
    • Child Protection
    • Supervision
    • Transportation
    • Taking Images of Children
  8. Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying
    • Discrimination
    • Harassment
    • Bullying
  9. Inclusive Practices
    • People with a Disability
    • People from Diverse Cultures
    • Sexual & Gender Identity
    • Pregnancy
    • Girls playing in boys teams
  10. Responding to Complaints
    • Complaints
    • Complaint Handling Process
    • Disciplinary Measures
    • Appeals

Attachment 1: Working With Children Check Requirements
1.1.      Member Protection Declaration
1.2.      Working with Children Check Requirements

Attachment 2:  Codes of Behaviour

 Attachment 3: Reporting Requirements and Documents

                                                    

MEMBER PROTECTION POLICY

___________________________________________________________

 

1.       Introduction      

Vision:

To be recognised as a community club providing opportunities for participation at all levels from beginner to elite, as well as a prominent NPL Club, respected for our junior development initiatives, quality coaching programs, extensive facilities and inclusive and social atmosphere.

Mission:

To operate a quality football club and provide excellent facilities and services that generate surpluses that support the sustainability of the club. 

Values:

·       Community

·       Family

·       Inclusiveness

 

  1. Purpose of Our Policy

The main objective of the Olympic FC Member Protection Policy (“policy”) is to maintain responsible behaviour and the making of informed decisions by members and other participants in this club. It outlines our commitment to a person’s right to be treated with respect and dignity, and to be safe and protected from discrimination, harassment and abuse. Our policy informs everyone involved in our club of his or her legal and ethical rights and responsibilities and the standards of behaviour that are expected of them. It also covers the care and protection of children participating in our club’s activities.

 

3.  Who Our Policy Applies To

This policy applies to everyone involved in the activities of our club whether they are in a paid or unpaid/voluntary capacity and including:

  • club committee members, administrators and other club officials
  • coaches and assistant coaches and other personnel participating in events and activities, including camps and training sessions
  • support personnel, including managers, physiotherapists, psychologists, masseurs, sport trainers and others
  • referees, umpires and other officials
  • athletes
  • members, including any life members
  • parents
  •  

 

  1. Extent of Our Policy

         Our policy covers all matters directly and indirectly related to the Olympic FC and its activities. In particular, the policy governs unfair selection decisions and actions, breaches of our code of behaviour and behaviour that occurs at training sessions, in the club rooms, at social events organised or sanctioned by the club (or our sport), and on away and overnight trips. It also covers private behaviour where that behaviour brings our club or sport into disrepute or there is suspicion of harm towards a child or young person.

 

5.      Club Responsibilities

We will:

  • adopt, implement and comply with this policy
  • ensure that this policy is enforceable
  • publish, distribute and promote this policy and the consequences of any breaches of this policy
  • promote and model appropriate standards of behaviour at all times
  • deal with any complaints made under this policy in an appropriate manner
  • deal with any breaches of this policy in an appropriate manner
  • recognise and enforce any penalty imposed under this policy
  • ensure that a copy of this policy is available or accessible to all people and organisations to whom this policy applies
  • review this policy every 12-18 months
  • seek advice from, and refer serious issues to, Football Queensland.

 Serious issues include unlawful behaviour that involves or could lead to significant harm and includes criminal behaviour (e.g. physical assault, sexual assault, child abuse) and any other issues that our state or national bodies request to be referred to them.

 

  1. Individual Responsibilities

Everyone associated with our club must:

  • make themselves aware of the contents of this policy
  • comply with all relevant provisions of this policy, including the standards of behaviour outlined in this policy
  • consent to the screening requirements set out in this policy, and Queensland legislated Working with Children checks if the person holds or applies for a role that involves regular unsupervised contact with a child or young person under the age of 18, or where otherwise required by law
  • treat other people with respect
  • always place the safety and welfare of children above other considerations
  • be responsible and accountable for their behaviour
  • follow the guidelines outlined in this policy if they wish to make a complaint or report a concern about possible child abuse, discrimination, harassment, bullying or other inappropriate behaviour
  • comply with any decisions and/or disciplinary measures imposed under this policy.

 

  1. Protection of Children

         7.1         Child Protection

Olympic FC is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who participate in our clubs activities or use our services. We support the rights of the child and will act at all times to ensure that a child safe environment is maintained. We also support the rights and wellbeing of our staff and volunteers and encourage their active participation in building and maintaining a secure and safe environment for all participants.

Olympic FC acknowledges the valuable contribution made by our staff, members and volunteers and we encourage their active participation in providing a safe, fair and inclusive environment for all participants.

 

 7.1.1: Identifying and Analysing Risks of Harm

Olympic FC will develop and implement a risk management strategy, which includes a review of our existing child protection practices, to determine how child-safe our organisation is and to identify any additional steps we can take to minimise and prevent the risk of harm to children because of the action of an employee, volunteer or another person.

 

7.1.2: Developing Codes of Conduct for Adults and Children

 We will develop and promote a code of conduct that specifies standards of conduct and care we expect of adults when dealing and interacting with children, particularly those in our care. We will also implement a code of conduct to promote appropriate behaviour between children.

The codes will clearly describe professional boundaries, ethical behaviour and unacceptable behaviour. (See Attachment 2)

 

7.1.3: Choosing Suitable Employees and Volunteers

 Olympic FC will ensure that the organisation takes all reasonable steps to ensure that it engages the most suitable and appropriate people to work with children, especially those in positions that involve regular unsupervised contact with children .This may be achieved using a range of screening measures.  Such measures will aim to minimise the likelihood of engaging (or retaining) people who are unsuitable to work with children.

Olympic FC will ensure that Working with Children checks and criminal history assessments are conducted for employees and volunteers working with children, where an assessment is required by law. If a criminal history report is obtained as part of the screening process, Olympic FC will ensure that the criminal history information is dealt with confidentially and in accordance with relevant legal requirements. (See Attachment 1.3)

 

7.1.4: Support, Train, Supervise and Enhance Performance

Olympic FC will ensure that all our employees and volunteers who work with children have ongoing supervision; support and training. Our goal is to develop their skills and capacity and to enhance their performance so we can maintain a child-safe environment in our club.

 

7.1.5: Empower and Promote the Participation of Children in decision-making and service development

 Olympic FC will promote the involvement and participation of children and young people in developing and maintaining a child-safe environment in our club. The Club’s Technical Director will meet with leadership groups from U13s – U18s in the NPL system to allow their voices to be heard. 

 

7.1.6: Report and Respond appropriately to suspected abuse and neglect

 Olympic FC will ensure that employees and volunteers are able to identify and respond appropriately to children at risk of harm and that they are aware of their responsibilities under state laws to make a report if they suspect on reasonable ground that a child has be, or is being, abused or neglected (See Attachment 3).

In addition to any legal obligations, if any person believes that another person or organisation bound by this policy is acting inappropriately towards a child or is in breach of this policy they may make an internal complaint. 

Please refer to our complaints procedure in section 10 of this policy or online at our website.

 Any person who believes a child is in immediate danger or in a life threatening situation, should contact the police immediately.

 

7.2         Supervision

 Children under the age of 18 must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult. We will endeavour to provide an appropriate level of supervision at all times, however it is the parent’s responsibility to supervise their children until they are delivered to the coach or manager on training nights and game days.

If a member finds a child under the age of 18 is unsupervised, they should assume responsibility for the child’s safety until the child’s parent/guardian or supervisor is located.

For reasons of courtesy and safety, parents must collect their children on time. If it appears a member will be left alone with just one child at the end of any club activity, where possible they will ask another member to stay until the child is collected.

  • Transportation

         Parents and or guardians are responsible for organising the transportation of their children to and from club activities (e.g. training and games).Where we make arrangements for the transportation of children (e.g. for away matches or overnight trips), we will conduct a risk assessment that includes ensuring vehicles are adequately insured, the driver has a current and appropriate licence for the vehicle being used and the appropriate safety measures are in place (e.g. fitted working seatbelts)].

        

7.4         Taking Images of Children

Images of children can be used inappropriately or illegally. We require that members, wherever possible, obtain permission from a child’s parent or guardian before taking an image of a child that is not their own. We will also make sure that the parent or guardian understands how the image will be used.

To respect people’s privacy, we do not allow camera phones, videos and cameras to be used inside changing areas, showers and toilets which we control or are used in connection with our club.

When using a photo of a child, we will not name or identify the child or publish personal information, such as residential address, email address or telephone number, without the consent of the child’s parent or guardian. We will not provide information about a child’s hobbies, interests, school or the like, as this can be used by pedophiles or other persons to “groom” a child.

We will only use images of children that are relevant to our club’s activities and we will ensure that they are suitably clothed in a manner that promotes our club. We will seek permission from a child’s parent or guardian before using their images.

 

  1. Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying

Our club is committed to providing an environment in which people are treated fairly and equitably and that is, as far as practicable, free from all forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying. We recognise that people may not be able to enjoy themselves or perform at their best if they are treated unfairly, discriminated against, harassed or bullied.

 

8.1  Discrimination

Unlawful discrimination involves the less favourable treatment of a person on the basis of one or more of the personal characteristics protected by State or Federal anti-discrimination laws.

Discrimination includes both direct and indirect discrimination:

  • Direct discrimination occurs if a person treats, or proposes to treat, a person with a protected personal characteristic unfavourably because of that personal characteristic.
  • Indirect discrimination occurs if a person imposes, or proposes to impose, a requirement, condition or practice that will disadvantage a person with a protected personal characteristic and that requirement, condition or practice is not reasonable.

For the purpose of determining discrimination, the offender’s awareness and motive are irrelevant.

 

8.2                      Harassment

Harassment is any unwelcome conduct, verbal or physical, that intimidates, offends or humiliates another person and which happens because a person has a certain personal characteristic protected by State or Federal anti-discrimination legislation.

The offensive behaviour does not have to take place a number of times, a single incident can constitute harassment.

Sexual harassment is one type of harassment. Sexual harassment involves unwelcome conduct, remarks or innuendo of a sexual nature. It covers a wide range of behaviours and can be verbal, written, visual or physical. Sexual harassment is not limited to members of the opposite sex.

Every person is covered by the anti-discrimination laws that apply in their State as well as the Federal anti-discrimination laws.

The following is a list of all the personal characteristics that apply throughout Australia:

  • gender
  • race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin, nationality, ethno-religious origin, immigration
  • national extraction or social origin
  • marital status, relationship status, identity of spouse or domestic partner
  • pregnancy, potential pregnancy, breastfeeding
  • family or carer responsibilities, status as a parent or carer
  • age
  • religion, religious beliefs or activities
  • political beliefs or activities
  • lawful sexual activity
  • sexual orientation and gender identity
  • profession, trade, occupation or calling
  • irrelevant criminal record, spent convictions
  • irrelevant medical record
  • member of association or organisation of employees or employers, industrial activity, trade union activity
  • physical features
  • disability, mental or physical impairment
  • defence service
  • personal association with someone who has, or is assumed to have, any of these personal characteristics.

Legislation also prohibits:

  • racial, religious, homosexual, transgender and HIV/AIDS vilification
  • victimisation resulting from a complaint.

 

8.3                      Bullying

Olympic FC is committed to providing an environment that is free from bullying. We understand that bullying has the potential to result in significant negative consequences for an individual’s health and wellbeing, and we regard bullying in all forms as unacceptable at our club.

Bullying is characterised by repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed at a person, or group of persons, that creates a risk to health and safety.  Bullying behaviour is that which a reasonable person in the circumstances would expect to victimise, humiliate, undermine, threaten, degrade, offend or intimidate a person.  Bullying behaviour can include actions of an individual or group.

Whilst generally characterised by repeated behaviours, one off instances can amount to bullying.

The following types of behaviour, where repeated or occurring as part of a pattern of behaviour, would be considered bullying:

  • verbal abuse including shouting, swearing, teasing, making belittling remarks or persistent unjustified criticism
  • excluding or isolating a group or person
  • spreading malicious rumours
  • psychological harassment such as intimidation.

Bullying includes cyber-bulling which occurs through the use of technology. New technologies and communication tools, such as smart phones and social networking websites, have greatly increased the potential for people to be bullied though unwanted and inappropriate comments. We will not tolerate abusive, discriminatory, intimidating or offensive statements being made online.

If any person believes they are being, or have been, bullied by another person or organisation bound by this policy, he or she may make a complaint. (Refer to Item 10 of this policy.)

 

  1. Inclusive practices

Our club is welcoming and we will seek to include members from all areas of our community.

The following are examples of some of our inclusive practices.

 9.1       People with a disability

The Olympic FC will not discriminate against any person because they have a disability. Where it is necessary, we will make reasonable adjustments (e.g. modifications to equipment and rules) to enable participation.

  1. 2 People from diverse cultures

We will support, respect and encourage people from diverse cultures and religions to participate in our club and where possible we will accommodate requests for flexibility (e.g. modifications to uniforms).

9.3        Sexual & Gender Identity

All people, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, are welcome at our club. We strive to provide a safe environment for participation and will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment because of a person’s sexuality or gender identity. 

  • Pregnancy

Olympic FC is committed to treating pregnant women fairly and to removing any unreasonable barriers to their full participation in our club’s activities. We will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment against pregnant women.

We will take reasonable care to ensure the continuing safety, health and wellbeing of pregnant women. We will advise pregnant women that there may be risks involved with their continuing participation in sport, and we will encourage them to obtain medical advice about those risks.  Pregnant women should be aware that their own health and wellbeing, and that of their unborn child, is of utmost importance in their decision-making about the extent they choose to participate in our sport.

We encourage all pregnant women to talk with their medical advisers, make themselves aware of the facts about pregnancy in sport and ensure that they make informed decisions about their participation in our sport. Pregnant women should make these decisions themselves, in consultation with their medical advisers and in discussion with Olympic FC. We will only require pregnant women to sign a disclaimer in relation to their participation in our sport whilst they are pregnant if all other participants are required to sign one in similar circumstances. We will not require women to undertake a pregnancy test.

If a pregnant woman believes she is being, or has been, harassed or discriminated against by another person bound by this policy, she may make a complaint (see section 10).

 

  • Girls playing in boys teams

If there is not a separate sex competition the Olympic FC will support girls playing in boys teams up until the age of 12 years.

If a child is over the age of 12 years, our club will consider each request on an individual basis by considering the nature of our sport and other available opportunities to compete.

We note that Federal anti-discrimination laws provide that it is not unlawful to discriminate on grounds of sex by excluding persons from participation in any competitive sporting activity in which the strength, stamina or physique of competitors is relevant.  

 

  1. Responding to Complaints

 

10.1        Complaints

Our club takes all complaints about on and off-field behaviour seriously. Our club will handle complaints based on the principles of procedural fairness, and ensure:

  • all complaints will be taken seriously
  • the person making the complaint (complainant) will be given full details of what is being alleged against them and have the opportunity to respond to those allegations
  • irrelevant matters will not be taken into account
  • decisions will be unbiased
  • any penalties imposed will be reasonable.

More serious complaints may be escalated to Football Queensland.

If the complaint relates to suspected child abuse, sexual assault or other criminal activity, then our club may need to report the behaviour to the police and/or relevant government authority.

 

10.2        Complaint Handling Process

When a complaint is received by our club, the person receiving the complaint (e.g. President, Member Protection Information Officer) will:

  • listen carefully and ask questions to understand the nature and extent of the concern
  • ask the complainant how they would like their concern to be resolved and if they need any support
  • explain the different options available to help resolve the complainant’s concern
  • inform the relevant government authorities and/or police, if required by law to do so
  • where possible and appropriate, maintain confidentiality but not necessarily anonymity.

Once the complainant decides on their preferred option for resolution, the club will assist, where appropriate and necessary, with the resolution process. This may involve:

  • supporting the person complaining to talk to the person being complained about
  • bringing all the people involved in the complaint together to talk objectively through the problem (this could include external mediation)
  • gathering more information (e.g. from other people that may have seen the behaviour)
  • seeking advice from Football Queensland or from an external agency (e.g. Department of Sport and Recreation or anti-discrimination agency)
  • referring the complaint to Football Queensland and/or
  • referring the complainant to an external agency such as police or anti-discrimination agency.

In situations where a complaint is referred to Football Queensland and an investigation is conducted, the club will:

  • co-operate fully with the investigation
  • where applicable, ensure the complainant is not placed in an unsupervised situation with the respondent(s)
  • act on Football Queensland’s recommendations.

At any stage of the process, a person can seek advice from an anti-discrimination commission or other external agency and, if the matter is within their jurisdiction, may lodge a complaint with the anti-discrimination commission or other external agency.

 

10.3  Disciplinary Sanctions

Our club may take disciplinary action against anyone found to have breached our policy or made false and malicious allegations. Any disciplinary measure imposed under our policy must:

  • Be applied consistent with any contractual and employment rules and requirements
  • Be fair and reasonable
  • Be based on the evidence and information presented and the seriousness of the breach and
  • Be determined by our constituent documents, by-laws and the rules of the game.

Possible sanctions that may be taken include:

  • a direction that the individual make verbal and/or written apology
  • counselling of the individual to address behaviour
  • withdrawal of any awards, placings, records, achievements bestowed in any tournaments, activities or events held or sanctioned by our club
  • suspension or termination of membership, participation or engagement in a role or activity;
  • de-registration of accreditation for a period of time or permanently
  • a fine
  • any other form of discipline that our club considers reasonable and appropriate.

 

10.4  Appeals

The complainant or respondent may be entitled to lodge an appeal against a decision made in relation to a complaint (including a decision where disciplinary sanctions are imposed by our club) to Football Queensland.  However, the grounds of an appeal should be specific, for example they may be limited to a denial of procedural fairness, on grounds of unjust or unreasonable disciplinary measure(s) being imposed, or on the grounds that the decision was not supported by the information/evidence presented and available to the decision maker/club.