SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Football South Australia (Football SA) is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone that participates in football. Everyone that is involved in the sport should be treated with respect and dignity and be able to participate free of being discriminated, harassed, bullied, or abused.
Children and young people are a major stakeholder of football and should be able to enjoy participating in a safe, supportive, and empowering environment. Football SA and all its affiliated associations and clubs, have a responsibility to safeguard the welfare and wellbeing of children and young people, who should feel comfortable, and be encouraged to, speak up and report any concerns they may have or be aware of in relation to the safeguarding of children and young people.
In 2018 some of the requirements to create and maintain a child safe environment were removed from the Children’s Protection Act 1993 and replaced by the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017. New, stronger laws for people volunteering with children have been implemented into law following recommendations as part of Federal and South Australian royal commissions into child abuse and child protection systems to help keep children safe in our community.
Football SA policies –
Child Safe Regulations/Working With Children
Working With Children Checks
Football SA Child Safe Guidelines
Additional Resources and Links:
Football Australia – Member Protection Framework
Football Australia - Safeguarding
Play by the Rules – Community Child Safe Sport
Play by the Rules – South Australia Child Safe Sport
Keeping Children Safe in Recreation and Sport
Online Training in Safeguarding and Young People in Sport Induction and harassment and Discrimination (delivered by Play by the Rules) is recommended for all involved with children. Coaches and Team Managers should complete this and be required to present the certificate to the club for recording. Access the Online Training Instructions here.
The club /association is to nominate at least one person to become a Child Safe Officer (CSO) and ensure that this person undertakes the required training. CSO training is available through Sport SA. Larger clubs/associations should consider appointing multiple CSO. Once the CSO’s have been appointed their name and how to contact them should be made available to the club/association stakeholders. This can be provided as part of the club/association information handbook provided to players at the time of registration, or through the club/association digital platforms.
Sport Integrity eLearning Courses and Resources – Overview eLearning Courses
Please Remember Spirit of Sport Posters: Players, Referees, Coaches.
Sport Australia – Child Safeguarding
Becoming a Child-Friendly Sports Club
