Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Child Safety and Well Being Policy

1. POLICY

The Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy (the Policy) outlines Caribbean Rollerama’s approach to creating and maintaining a child safe environment and is consistent with the requirements under the Victorian Child Safe Standards and other relevant legislation. It is created to assist Caribbean Rollerama to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and incorporate the child safe practices that Caribbean Rollerama will implement at its rink to create a culture where the safety of children and young people is promoted, child abuse is prevented, and allegations of child abuse are taken seriously and acted upon.

This Policy outlines how Caribbean Rollerama prioritises the safety and wellbeing of children and what steps it will take to do this.

If this policy is found to be inconsistent or in conflict with any other Caribbean Rollerama policy, plan, procedure or directive, this Policy shall prevail and take precedence, to the extent to which it provides for better child safety outcomes.

2. Objectives

• To communicate Caribbean Rollerama’s commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and zero-tolerance of child abuse

• To outline Caribbean Rollerama’s responsibilities as a child safe organisation compliant with the Child Safe Standards

• To detail the roles and responsibilities of Caribbean Rollerama personnel in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, irrespective of their involvement in child-related work.

• To guide and support Caribbean Rollerama personnel to fulfil their responsibilities to respond to and report child safety concerns and complaints.

• To communicate the behavioural expectations of Caribbean Rollerama personnel when working with or around children and young people at the rink.

• To set out Caribbean Rollerama’s policy positions and procedures that aim to ensure children and young people’s safety and wellbeing across all areas of the organisation.

Personnel, for the purposes of this Policy is deemed to include officers, employees, volunteers, contractors and venue hire organisations and their employees/representatives operating at the rink.

3. Scope

This Policy applies to all Caribbean Rollerama personnel and their conduct irrespective of whether they work with or have direct contact with children or young people.

Third parties engaged by Caribbean Rollerama, such as contractors and venue hire operators, are also required to comply with this Policy as part of their contractual agreements with Caribbean Rollerama.

This policy applies to all activities, classes, coaching, events and competitions conducted by Caribbean Rollerama and third parties involved.

Children are defined in this Policy as anyone aged under 18 years old.

4. The Victorian Child Safe Standards

Caribbean Rollerama is required by law to implement the Victorian Child Safe Standards to protect children and young people from harm and abuse. The Child Safe Standards are a compulsory framework for Victorian organisations that provide services and facilities specifically for children and young people aged 0 to 18 years. The Standards apply to the whole organisation, not just those areas that work directly with children or young people.

The Standards aim to:

• promote the safety of children

• prevent child abuse

• ensure organisations and businesses have effective processes in place to respond to and report all allegations of child abuse.

The eleven Victorian Child Safe Standards:

Standard 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.

Standard 2: Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organizational leadership, governance and culture.

Standard 3: Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Standard 4: Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Standard 5: Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.

Standard 6: People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

Standard 7: Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.

Standard 8: Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.

Standard 9: Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.

Standard 10: Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.

Standard 11: Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

5. Child Abuse and Harm

Child abuse can be defined in many ways. The term is often used broadly to cover behaviour by people in a position of responsibility, trust or power that results in a child being harmed physically or emotionally. The Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) defines ‘child abuse’ as:

• a sexual offence committed against a child

• grooming for sexual conduct with a child under the age of 16 under section 49M(1) of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic)

• physical violence against a child

• causing serious emotional or psychological harm to a child

• serious neglect of a child

This definition of child abuse is deliberately broad. It allows for a wide range of harmful behaviour and conduct towards a child to be covered by the definition, even if it is not expressly listed. ‘Harm’ is damage to the health, safety or wellbeing of a child, including as a result of child abuse by adults or the conduct of other children. It includes physical, sexual, emotional and psychological harm. Harm can arise from a single act or event. It can also be cumulative, that is, arising as a result of a series of acts or events over a period of time. Child abuse and harm can be caused by adults AND by other children.

Types of Child Abuse and Harm

Physical violence

Physical violence can occur when a person intentionally or recklessly uses physical force against, with or in the presence of a child without their consent, which causes, or could cause, the child harm.

Physical violence can also occur when someone intentionally or recklessly causes a child to believe that physical force is about to be used against them without their consent.

Physical violence can include hitting, punching, kicking, pushing or throwing something that strikes a child. It also includes the use of words or gestures that cause a child to believe that they are about to suffer physical violence.

In some cases, physical contact with a child may be necessary, such as to physically restrain them from hurting another child or themselves, but the use of physical contact must be reasonable, and no more force should be used than is absolutely necessary.

Sexual abuse

Child sexual abuse is when a person uses power or authority over a child to involve them in sexual activity. It includes a broad range of behaviours involving a sexual element that are committed against, with or in the presence of a child.

Child sexual abuse does not always involve force. In some circumstances, a child may be manipulated into believing that they have brought the abuse on themselves, or that the abuse is an expression of love.

Sexual offences may involve contact, like touching or penetration. They also include acts that do not involve physical contact like ‘flashing’, possessing child abuse material or grooming. A full list of relevant child sexual offences is included in clause 1 of schedule 1 to the Sentencing Act 1991 (Vic).

While a child sexual offence will generally include any sexual encounter by an adult that involves a child, in some circumstances conduct by children aged ten years or over can also constitute a sexual offence.

Grooming

Grooming behaviour can involve the use of a variety of manipulative and controlling techniques used to build trust or normalise sexually harmful behaviour. Grooming is often described as the ‘preparation’ phase of child sexual abuse, undertaken by the perpetrator to gain the trust of a child, and to establish secrecy and silence. Perpetrators may groom to gain access to a child, initiate and maintain sexual abuse of that child, and to conceal the sexual abuse from others who may identify it.

Grooming can include communicating or attempting to befriend or purposely establishing a relationship or other emotional connection with a child, their family or organisations they are engaged with. At first people may be tricked into thinking the relationship with the perpetrator is safe and normal. Children may not understand that what is happening is grooming or may feel they have no choice but to be abused.

Grooming behaviours and tactics are often complex and gradual. They can involve a range of subtle, drawn out, calculated, controlling and premeditated behaviours. Grooming can involve behaviour in person and activities on social media, email or phone.

Some perpetrators may use their power and authority in an organisation to create the impression that they are trustworthy and to pressure children to prevent disclosure. Perpetrators often isolate the child or alienate them from others, creating a barrier between the child and adults they might otherwise talk to about the abuse or who might see that something is wrong. Perpetrators often blame the child for the abuse or create a shared sense of responsibility with the child.

Some types of grooming are captured by the criminal offence of grooming. This offence targets predatory conduct by an adult designed to facilitate later sexual activity with a child under 16 years of age. Other grooming behaviours, while not a criminal offence, may still come within the definition of child abuse.

Sexual misconduct

Sexual misconduct includes a variety of sexualised behaviours against, with or in the presence of a child. These behaviours may not meet the threshold for a sexual offence but can still pose a significant risk to children. Behaviours could include inappropriate conversations of a sexual nature, comments that express a desire to act in a sexual manner, or in some cases, behaviour that crosses a professional boundary, such as having or seeking to establish an inappropriate or overly personal or intimate relationship with a child.

Emotional or psychological harm

Emotional and psychological harm can arise as a result of experiencing a sexual offence, sexual misconduct, physical violence or neglect. Emotional and psychological harm may also arise in circumstances that involve persistent verbal abuse, coercive or manipulative behaviour, hostility towards a child, humiliation, belittling or scapegoating, conveying to a child that they are worthless, unloved, inadequate or rejected, or causing a child to frequently feel frightened or in danger. Serious emotional or psychological harm often decreases a child’s sense of identity, dignity and self-worth, and the impact can be chronic and debilitating.

‘Emotional harm’ is expressed in a tangible or visible way. For example, a child may show signs of distress, withdrawal, fear, anxiety, anger or despair. Emotional harm may have an impact on emotional health and development, the ability to show emotions and the ability to sustain and develop healthy relationships.

‘Psychological harm’ has a longer-term cognitive impact which may affect a child’s conscious and unconscious mind. Psychological harm may not become clear for days, weeks or years after an event. Psychological harm may negatively affect and delay a child’s cognitive development. Psychological harm often takes the form of a diagnosable psychological disorder.

Cultural abuse can cause emotional and psychological harm. Cultural abuse occurs when the culture of a people is ignored, denigrated or intentionally attacked. It can be overt or covert, for example, a lack of cultural sensitivity or absence of positive images about another culture. Cultural abuse is especially harmful for children ‘because it strikes their sense of identity, self-esteem and connectedness to family and community’.

Discrimination can have negative impacts on children. It can cause emotional or psychological harm or constitute neglect of a child. Being treated unfairly because of who you are or what you like can have a negative effect on mental health. Experiencing discrimination can also increase a child’s vulnerability to abuse and harm and can mean that children are less likely to ask for help or speak up if they have a concern.

For emotional or psychological harm to be serious, it must involve an act (or the cumulative effect of many acts) resulting in harm that is more than significant, being either substantial and protracted, or that endangers life.

Neglect

Neglect is a failure to meet the basic needs of a child (such as their wellbeing and safety). Neglect can arise as a result of a single event or a combination of different events.

Some neglectful behaviours that can occur in organisations include:

supervisory neglect (failure to appropriately exercise adequate supervision or control of a child)
physical neglect (failure to meet a child’s physical needs including the provision of adequate and appropriate food, clothing, shelter or physical hygiene)
educational neglect (failure to ensure that a child’s formal educational needs are being met)
emotional neglect (failure to provide adequate nurturing, encouragement and support to a child).

For neglect to be serious, it must involve a failure to meet the basic needs of a child that is more than significant, being either substantial and protracted, or that endangers life. ‘Serious’ refers to the quality of the failure to meet the basic needs of a child, not to the outcome of the neglect. It is not necessary that a child suffered any harm as a result of the neglect.

6. Caribbean Rollerama’s Commitment to Child Safety

Caribbean Rollerama is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We have a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse. We are committed to creating and maintaining a child-safe and child-friendly organisation where all children and young people are valued and protected from abuse.

All children and young people regardless of their age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, ability and family background have the right to be protected from harm and to be treated with dignity and respect. We are an inclusive organisation that recognises and respects diversity, and we are committed to proactively supporting and building the cultural safety and inclusion of all children and young people.

We recognise the distinctive history and experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and respect and observe their cultural rights. We are committed to creating a culturally safe and inclusive environment in which the diverse and unique identities, experiences and cultural rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are respected and valued.

As a child safe organisation, we are committed to providing welcoming, safe and accessible environments where all children and young people feel valued, are listened to, and are genuinely considered and involved in decisions that affect their lives.

The wellbeing and safety of the children and young people in our rink environment will always be our priority.

Caribbean Rollerama will publicly display our Commitment to Child Safety (or a shorter adaptation of it) via:

• Caribbean Rollerama website.

• Caribbean Rollerama employee contracts.

• Relevant Caribbean Rollerama promotional material.

• On Site display of posters at the Rink.

7. Equity and Inclusion

Caribbean Rollerama is dedicated to promoting equity and inclusion throughout the organisation, believes in the importance of acknowledging and respecting the diverse needs of all children and young people, and strives to create an environment that is inclusive and supportive. Culturally safe, accessible, and easily understandable support, and complaints processes are offered and the importance of ensuring that all children and young people, regardless of their background, have access to the assistance they require is recognised. Caribbean Rollerama takes proactive measures to prevent child abuse and harm resulting from discrimination and is committed to preventing discrimination based on disability, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, intersex status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

8. Child Safety Risk Assessment and Management

Caribbean Rollerama is committed to identifying and managing risks in its environment to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

Caribbean Rollerama recognises the importance of identifying and managing risks of child harm and abuse in the physical and online environments operated by it. We conduct regular risk assessments and have a risk management plan which includes addressing the risk of child abuse and harm.

The risk management plan has been developed by Management in consultation with our staff.

We will ensure that any risk controls put in place balance the need to manage harm with the benefits of participating at events run by us.

The Management is responsible for approving the risk management plan and offering regular amendments/reviews.

Personnel are provided with information and support regarding child safety, including awareness of risks.

Processes are in place to ensure the safety of children and young people when Caribbean Rollerama contracts with third parties to assess and mitigate the risks of child abuse and harm posed by third-party contractors or venue hire organisations. If necessary, Caribbean Rollerama will terminate contracts or take other appropriate actions to protect children if risks of child abuse and harm posed by third-party contractors cannot be adequately managed.

9. Working With Children (WWC) Checks

Caribbean Rollerama personnel are legally required to obtain a WWC Check under the Worker Screening Act 2020 (the Act) if they meet ALL 5 of the following conditions:

They are an adult (i.e. aged 18 years and over) engaged in child-related work within the meaning of the Act, including engaging in voluntary work and providing practical training as well as paid employment.
They are working at or for one of the services, places or bodies, or in one of the activities listed in the Act
Their work usually involves direct contact with a child or children.Direct contact means physical or face-to-face contact, or written (including postal), oral or electronic communication.
The contact they have with children is not occasional direct contact and is not incidental to their work; and
They are not otherwise exempt from needing a Check under the Act.

Child-related work is defined as work in any of the occupational fields specified in subsection (3) of the Act (referred to in the Act as services, bodies, places or activities), which usually involves direct contact with a child. It excludes any infrequent direct contact with children that’s incidental to the work. For a list of these occupational fields, see https://www.vic.gov.au/do-i-need-check.

Caribbean Rollerama will:

• Require all active Caribbean Rollerama personnel to hold a current and valid WWC Check throughout the duration of their work with Caribbean Rollerama if they meet any of the following three criteria as part of their role with Caribbean Rollerama:

1. Legally required to obtain a WWC Check under the Worker Screening Act 2020 (Victoria); or

2. Expected to come into direct contact (i.e. face-to-face, physical, verbal, written or electronic) with, or handle the personal information of, children or young people aged 0 to 18 years; or

3. Required to work with or visit a child, youth or community-based service or facility; or undertake home or site visits where children or young people aged 0 to 18 years may be present.

• Ensure that all active Caribbean Rollerama personnel who meet the above criteria and are exempt from requiring a WWC Check because they hold a current registration with Victorian Institute of Teaching hold a current and valid registration throughout the duration of their work with Caribbean Rollerama and notify Working With Children Check Victoria of any child-related work they do outside of their teaching in a school or early childhood service (whether paid or voluntary).

Caribbean Rollerama will not:

• Permit Caribbean Rollerama personnel who do not hold a current WWC Check to be in unsupervised direct contact with children or young people in the course of their work / tasks (whether paid or voluntary) at Caribbean Rollerama, or whilst representing Caribbean Rollerama.

• Engage or continue to engage anyone in child-related work who doesn’t have a valid WWC Check, unless they are exempt under the Act or have lodged an application for a WWC Check that’s currently being assessed (subject to the below).

• Engage or continue to engage anyone who would otherwise be exempt from holding a valid WWC Check, if they have received a WWC Check Exclusion and not subsequently received a WWC Check.

• Engage or continue to engage anyone in child-related work who is subject to obligations or orders specified in clause 1 of Schedule 5 of the Act.

• Allow people who are charged with, convicted or found guilty of sexual, violent or drug offences specified in clause 2 of Schedule 5 of the Act to work with or care for children while their application is processed or their WWC Check reassessed.

Working With Children Check Procedures Managing WWC Checks

• If an individual requires a WWC Check under this Policy and does not hold a current and valid one:

1. The individual is required to apply for a WWC Check before they commence work with Caribbean Rollerama at https://www.service.vic.gov.au/services/working-with-children.

2. Caribbean Rollerama will then use the WWC Check status checker (https://www.service.vic.gov.au/services/working-with-children-check-status-checker/home) to check if they are allowed to work with children while their WWC Check application is processed.

3. Caribbean Rollerama will not issue a letter of offer until evidence of a current and valid WWC Check is provided.

• If an individual requires a WWC Check under this Policy and already has one, Caribbean Rollerama will use the WWC Check status checker to check if they:

1. Have a valid WWC Check

2. If they are doing paid work, have an Employee WWC Check

3. If they are doing voluntary work, have a Volunteer WWC Check.

• All individuals who require a WWC Check under this Policy must notify the WWC Check issuing authority (Department of Justice and Community Safety) of their connection to Caribbean Rollerama as soon as they commence work with Caribbean Rollerama by updating their details at https://www.service.vic.gov.au/services/working-with-children-check-update-details/home.

• Caribbean Rollerama will keep a record of the following WWC Check details for all individuals who require a WWC Check under this Policy:

1. Application receipt (if the individual has applied for a WWC Check)

2. Card number

3. Expiry date

4. Card type (‘E’ for paid employees or ‘V’ for volunteers)

• Individuals who hold a WWC Check must notify the issuing authority whenever their personal and contact details change within 21 days of becoming aware of the change.

• Individuals are responsible for ensuring their WWC Check is current by renewing it as required at https://www.service.vic.gov.au/find-services/work-and-volunteering/working-with-children-check/renew-your-working-with-children-check.

• Caribbean Rollerama will regularly review the WWC Check status of all individuals who require a WWC Check under this Policy annually and will follow up immediately regarding any individual whose WWC Check status is not current / valid. The individual won’t be able to legally undertake child-related work for Caribbean Rollerama whilst the WWC Check status is not current / valid.

Revoked or suspended WWC Checks

If an individual’s WWC Check is suspended or revoked, they won’t be able to legally undertake child-related work for Caribbean Rollerama. The issuing authority will advise on the next steps Caribbean Rollerama and the individual will need to take.

Receiving a WWC Exclusion

If an individual receives a WWC Exclusion, by law they must notify Caribbean Rollerama in writing within seven days of the date they are given the Exclusion. Once issued, the individual is not allowed to do any child-related work effective from the date listed on the Exclusion.

10. Child Safe Code of Conduct

All Caribbean Rollerama personnel are required to meet the expectations of appropriate behaviour towards, and in the company of, children and young people as outlined in this Child Safe Code of Conduct (the Code) at all times while working at/for Caribbean Rollerama.

Children are defined in this Code as anyone aged under 18 years old.

Caribbean Rollerama personnel will:

✓ Be observant and alert to potential harm and take all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse.

✓ Treat all children with respect, equity and dignity.

✓ Listen to and treat the safety concerns of children seriously, particularly if they tell you that they or another child has been or is at risk of being abused.

✓ Place the interests of any child being abused, or at risk of being abused, above the interests of the organisation or other individuals within it.

✓ Provide welcoming, safe and accessible environments that protect children from violence, bullying, teasing, threatening behaviour, and discrimination.

✓ Manage relationships and situations where a prior relationship exists with a child or family appropriately.

✓ Uphold the rights and best interests of children.

✓ Respect and promote the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; culturally and/or linguistically diverse children; and the safety of children with any form of disability.

✓ Demonstrate a zero-tolerance approach to racism and other forms of discrimination, and act on any incidents of this from either adults or other children and young people.

✓ Be a positive role model by supporting children by empowering children to speak up if they have concerns for their safety or wellbeing, and ensuring children are aware of their rights (including their cultural rights).

✓ Recognise children as active citizens and encourage them to ‘have a say’ on issues that directly affect them.

✓ Adhere to risk prevention and management strategies and safe work practices (identified by and relevant to your work area) when interacting with children.

✓ Complete relevant training and other professional development activities as required.

✓ Treat all concerns or allegations of child abuse seriously and respond consistently with the procedures outlined in the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy.

✓ Ensure the immediate safety of a child if an allegation of abuse is made/abuse has occurred.

✓ Report any breach of the Code of Conduct by Caribbean Rollerama personnel to your Supervisor (or next level Manager where the concern involves your Supervisor) immediately.

✓ Adhere to appropriate ‘safe touch’ that is considered appropriate to your role, or where otherwise necessary (i.e. comforting a child in distress, administering first aid).

Appropriate safe touch with a child must:

✓ Be appropriate to the developmental needs of the child.

✓ Be strictly in line with the types of child contact necessary to perform your duties.

✓ Be open, non-secretive and culturally sensitive.

✓ Be at the initiation or with the consent of the child.

It is important to be attuned to the child’s cues and what they are comfortable with. Where possible or age appropriate, seek consent first, e.g. ask a child in distress if it is ok to give them a hug; when performing first aid or duties of a personal nature tell the child where you need to touch them, why, and ask if it is ok.

Caribbean Rollerama personnel will not:

X Show favouritism or preference to one child over others, e.g. by offering a child gifts or special treatment

X Exhibit behaviours with children which may be construed as unnecessarily physical.

X Hit, physically assault, or engage in inappropriately rough play with a child.

X Speak to a child in an angry, intimidating or threatening manner.

X Engage in open discussions of a mature or adult nature with or in the presence of children.

X Condone or make self-disclosures about past or present participation in illegal or unsafe behaviours when speaking to or in the presence of a child.

X Smoke, vape, take illicit drugs, or be affected by alcohol or other substances when in the workplace

X Touch intimate areas or have any other physical contact with a child (i.e. kiss, hold, cuddle) not deemed to be appropriate to your role, or necessary safe touch.

X Do things of a personal nature (i.e. toileting or changing clothes) that you could reasonably expect a child to do for themselves, unless performing personal care duties as part of your role, or in unavoidable situations (i.e. preventing an accident or administering first aid).

X Use inappropriate, discriminatory, harassing, abusive, sexually explicit, demeaning or culturally insensitive language when speaking to, or in the presence of a child.

X Discriminate against any child on the basis of age, gender, race, culture, religion, disability, vulnerability, sexuality or other protected attributes, OR express personal views on such attributes when speaking to or in the presence of a child.

X Purposefully establish or maintain a relationship with a child and/or their family outside of work for an inappropriate purpose.

X Solicit, conduct or accept requests from children and/or their families for private services (i.e. babysitting, non-authorised home visits, or private lessons) delivered outside of your work.

X Provide personal contact details (i.e. phone number, home address, email/social media addresses) to children and the parents of children you interact with at work.

X Use social media/online platforms to solicit or befriend a child or have online contact with a child that is not transparent to Caribbean Rollerama and part of an approved program or activity.

X Take, use or publish unauthorised images of children in Caribbean Rollerama’s programs and activities.

X Use personal devices to take images of children.

X Ignore or disregard any suspected or disclosed child abuse.

X Put a child at risk of abuse or harm either through negligence or inaction.

Child Safe Code of Conduct Procedures
Caribbean Rollerama employees are required to note the following:

1. Review and acknowledge their acceptance of the Policy (including the Code) during their induction period

2. Review and acknowledge their acceptance of the Code yearly as part of their required annual learning

3. For positions where contact with children is probable, read the Code before they commence any duties that involve direct contact with children

4. Raise any queries about the Code with their Supervisor immediately.

5. Act in accordance with the Code at all times while working for Caribbean Rollerama.

6. Suspected or alleged breaches of this Code will be investigated on a case by case basis in accordance with Caribbean Rollerama’s Discipline Policy.

7. Any behaviour that constitutes a criminal offence under the Crimes Act 1958 will be treated as a criminal matter and reported to Victoria Police.

Caribbean Rollerama contractors, volunteers and venue hire operators are required to:

1. Review and acknowledge their acceptance of the Policy (including the Code)

2. Raise any queries about the Code with their Caribbean Rollerama Account Manager immediately.

3. Act in accordance with the Code at all times while operating at Caribbean Rollerama.

4. Suspected or alleged breaches of this Code will be investigated on a case-by-case basis and may result in termination of the contract.

5. Any behaviour that constitutes a criminal offence under the Crimes Act 1958 will be treated as a criminal matter and reported to Victoria Police.

11. Child Safety Persons/Officer

Caribbean Rollerama has designated persons with responsibility for responding to any child safety related complaints or concerns. All adult employees are inducted into this process to handle child safety concerns, complaints and incidents. Child safety persons are introduced to children so they know and understand who the appointed officers are and how and when they may contact them.

If a person does not feel comfortable making a report to a child safety person, they may report their concern directly to the Child Safety Officer.

Contact details of the Child safety Officer are as below.

Child Safety Officer: Jamie Vancam

Office: 03 9763 9122

Mobile: 0402 786 214

Email: [email protected]

12. Child Safety Concerns and Complaints

A child safety concern refers to any issue that has or could impact negatively on the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

A child safety complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction to an organisation related to one or more of the points outlined in the Child Safety Complaints Process table.

A Child Safety Incident is defined as:

• Any child safety concern where Caribbean Rollerama personnel, in the course of their work, form a reasonable belief that a child or young person has suffered, or is likely to suffer, abuse or harm – whether caused by an adult OR by another child.

• Any child safety complaint against Caribbean Rollerama, personnel, either within work or outside of work.

• Any breach of Caribbean Rollerama’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy, including the Child Safe Code of Conduct included within.

As a child safe organisation, Caribbean Rollerama is committed to the appropriate reporting of concerns about the safety of children and young people, responding to complaints promptly, thoroughly and fairly, and taking immediate action to protect children and young people at risk. All reports of child abuse and child safety concerns will be treated seriously, whether they are made by an adult or a child and whether they are about the conduct of an adult or a child. All complaints and child safety concerns will be responded to promptly and thoroughly. If a complaint includes an allegation or incident of child abuse or harm, then staff and volunteers must report it in accordance with the complaint handling process. Staff and volunteers are required to prioritise children’s safety in any response and to report all potentially criminal conduct to Victoria Police. Under the complaint handling and disciplinary policies, staff and volunteers may be subject to actions to support child safety including:

• being stood down during an investigation or terminated following an investigation

• having their duties altered so they do not engage with children

• not allowing unsupervised contact with children

• removing access to the Rink.and its facilities.

If there is concern for the immediate safety of a child, immediately call 000.

The main objectives of Caribbean Rollerama’s approach to dealing with Child Safety Incidents are ensuring that:

• risks to children’s safety are minimised

• incidents where child abuse is either suspected or has occurred are appropriately dealt with on a case-by-case basis by making sure that organisational procedures are followed as per this Policy

• all legislative requirements and Caribbean Rollerama processes regarding reporting are met as soon as possible

• Caribbean Rollerama’s practices, processes and culture are consistent with legislation, the Child Safe Standards, and the objective of being a child safe organisation.

Caribbean Rollerama personnel will support anyone wishing to make a child safety complaint about Caribbean Rollerama by:

• Providing information about how they can raise child safety complaints and how those concerns will be responded to and investigated.

• Welcoming and encouraging them to make a complaint, without judgement or dispute.

• Explaining the different ways that they can submit a complaint

• Supporting them to complete the Child Safety Complaints process

13. Record Management

Caribbean Rollerama is committed to creating and keeping full and accurate records about all child-related complaints or safety concerns, including the outcome of any investigations and the resolution of any complaints. This includes findings made, reasons for decisions and actions taken.

Any hard copy documentation will be stored securely until it is digitized and stored electronically at which point the hard copy will be archived or destroyed according to legislative requirements.

Caribbean Rollerama is committed to protecting individuals’ privacy and will manage all child-safety records as prescribed by the Privacy & Data Protection Act 2014 and the Health Records Act 2001.

Any access to the information, amendments that may be required or any privacy enquiries may be directed to Caribbean Rollerama’s Child Safety Officer.

14. Information Sharing

Caribbean Rollerama will keep information about child safety concerns and complaints confidential, except where it is necessary to share information to respond properly to a complaint or to prioritise child safety. Caribbean Rollerama will not disclose an individual’s personal information to any external party without their consent unless Caribbean Rollerama is required or authorised to do so by law. The law requires or allows, in certain circumstances, some organisations to share confidential or sensitive information about a person with each other, often to support safety or wellbeing. Caribbean Rollerama may therefore share relevant information about child safety concerns and complaints in accordance with its information sharing obligations (including those within the Child Information Sharing Scheme and the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme), to promote the safety and wellbeing of children, where it is appropriate and in their best interests.

Caribbean Rollerama may also need to share information about incidents or complaints with external authorities or organisations to comply with legislative requirements or to prioritise safety.

When responding to and investigating Child Safety Incidents, Caribbean Rollerama will keep children and families informed where appropriate and safe to do so, whilst balancing confidentiality and risks to children. The safety of children will be prioritised throughout these processes.

15. Regular Review

The Child Safety Officer will regularly review child safety incidents and investigations and recommend changes to relevant Caribbean Rollerama policies where appropriate.

The Child Safety Officer will action findings from child safety reviews or investigations and facilitate changes to relevant Caribbean Rollerama policies where appropriate.

The Child Safety Officer will review and update this Policy and associated processes periodically or as changes are required.

Updates or changes to this Policy will be communicated to all Caribbean Rollerama personnel.

16. Consequences of Breaching this Policy

Caribbean Rollerama views any breach of this Policy, including failing to report instances, allegations or concerns in relation to abuse or neglect of a child or young person (by personnel within our organisation or by others), as a serious matter that, depending on the circumstances, may result in disciplinary action or be grounds for dismissal.

Failure to report incidents of abuse, neglect and harm of a child or young person may also be classed as a criminal offence under law.

17. Complaints

For any complaints or concerns regarding this Policy please contact:

Child Safety Officer: Jamie Vancam

Office: 03 9763 9122

Mobile: 0402 786 214

Email: [email protected]

18. Glossary of Terms

Child/ren

In this Policy the term child or children includes both children and young people under the age of 18 years.

Child abuse

Child abuse is defined in the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) as including:

• a child states they or someone they know has been abused (noting that sometimes the child may in fact be referring to themselves);

• behaviour consistent with that of an abuse victim is observed;

• someone else has raised a suspicion of abuse but is unwilling to report it; and/or

• observing suspicious behaviour.

• a sexual offence committed against a child

• an offence committed against a child under section 49M(1) of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), such as grooming

• physical violence against a child

• causing serious emotional or psychological harm to a child

• serious neglect of a child.

Child-related work

Under the Worker Screening Act 2005, ’child-related work’ is work in either a voluntary or paid capacity, that usually involves direct contact with a child, at a place or involving an activity listed in the Act.

Full definitions of these are provided at the Working with Children Check Victoria website.

Child safe organisation

A child safe organisation is one that creates a culture, adopts strategies and takes action to promote child wellbeing and prevent harm to children and young people.ii

A child safe organisation consciously and systematically:

• Creates an environment where children’s safety and wellbeing is at the centre of thought, values and actions.

• Places emphasis on genuine engagement with and valuing of children and young people.

• Creates conditions that reduce the likelihood of harm to children and young people.

• Creates conditions that increase the likelihood of identifying any harm.

• Responds to any concerns, disclosures, allegations or suspicions of harm.

Child Safe Standards

The Victorian Child Safe Standards are a compulsory framework that supports organisations to promote the safety of children by requiring them to implement policies to prevent, respond to and report allegations of child abuse and harm. New updated Standards were released by the Victorian Government in 2021 and apply from 1 July 2022.

Child safety

In the context of the Child Safe Standards, ‘child safety’ means measures to protect a child from child abuse or harm.

Caribbean Rollerama personnel

Personnel for the purposes of this Policy is deemed to include officers, employees, volunteers, contractors and venue hire organisations and their employees/representatives operating at the rink.

Cultural rights

Cultural rights are the rights of each child (either individually or as part of a group of people) to develop and express their background, customs, social behaviour, language, religion or spirituality, beliefs and way of living.

Aboriginal people have distinct cultural rights to enjoy their identity and culture; maintain the use of their language; maintain their kinship ties; and maintain their relationship with the land, waters and other resources with which they have a connection under traditional laws and customs.

Cultural safety

Cultural safety is the positive recognition and celebration of cultures. It is more than just the absence of racism or discrimination and more than ‘cultural awareness’ and ‘cultural sensitivity’. It empowers people and allows them to contribute and feel safe to be themselves.

Culturally and linguistically diverse

Culturally and linguistically diverse is a broad and inclusive term for communities with diverse language, ethnic background, nationality, dress, traditions, food, societal structures, art and religion characteristics.

Culturally and linguistically diverse does not usually include Aboriginal communities and people because of their distinct history and experience as Australia’s First Nations people. For the purposes of the Standards there are specific considerations for Aboriginal children, however, we also acknowledge the cultural and linguistic diversity of Aboriginal communities.

Direct contact

Any contact between a person and a child that involves:

• physical contact; or

• face to face contact; or

• contact by post or other written communication; or

• contact by telephone or other oral communication; or

• contact by email or other electronic communication.

Disability Disability means:

• the total or partial loss of a body part or a bodily function (such as mobility, sight or hearing)

• the presence in the body of organisms that may cause disease

• malformation or disfigurement

• a mental or psychological disease or disorder

• learning difficulties.

Disability may be permanent, non-permanent or an increased chance of developing a disability in future. Disability also includes behaviour that may be a symptom or expression of disability even if that disability is not formally diagnosed.

Disclosure

A disclosure in the context of child safety is the process by which a child conveys or attempts to convey that they are being, or have been, abused. Disclosure can be verbal, non-verbal or indicated through behaviour. A disclosure may be accidental or intentional, partial or complete and victims may disclose in different ways to different people throughout their lives.

Adults may also convey that they were abused as a child or that they may have perpetrated abuse.

Families

Families means people who make up the family unit for a child. Families may be made up of a wide variety of relationships, including those who are related by blood, marriage, adoption, kinship structures or other extended family structures. Families may include people who share in the daily tasks of living or share a very close, personal relationship.

Harm

Harm is damage to the health, safety or wellbeing of a child, including as a result of child abuse by adults or the conduct of other children. It includes physical, emotional, sexual and psychological harm. Harm can arise from a single act or event and can also be cumulative, that is, arising as a result of a series of acts or events over a period of time.

Human rights

Human rights refer to all the rights of children, including those in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic). Rights include a child’s right to safety, information and participation in an organisation.

Mandatory reporting

In accordance with the Children Youth and Families Act, the legal obligation of certain groups of people to report a reasonable belief of child physical or sexual abuse to child protection authorities.

Online environments

Online environments are any technological platforms which an organisation uses or controls, such as computers, phones, websites, intranet, social media and video conference facilities regardless of where such platforms may be accessed by children.

Physical environments

Physical environments are the physical places where an organisation operates or conducts activities, such as a building, facility or space and includes physical environments operated by third parties.

Reasonable belief

A belief is considered ‘reasonable’ if a reasonable person, doing the same work, would have formed the same belief on those grounds. Grounds for forming a belief are matters of which you have become aware, and any opinions in relation to those matters.

Factors contributing to reasonable belief may be as follows:

Risk

In the context of the Child Safe Standards, risk is exposure to the chance for harm or abuse of a child to occur in connection with an organisation.

Supervisor

Employees with supervisory responsibilities – the person to whom another employee reports (according to the reporting employee’s position description). The Supervisor can be any position responsible for supervising employees, however titled.

Volunteer

Volunteer means any person engaged by or a part of an organisation who provides a service without receiving a financial benefit, regardless of whether their role relates to children. There is no minimum period of engagement to be considered a volunteer.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is a positive state of physical, mental and emotional health. It generally means feeling safe, happy and healthy more than momentarily.

Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy