WESTERN PORT BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

WESTERN PORT BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION (WPBA) is committed to child safety.

We want children to be safe, happy and empowered. We support and respect all children, as well as our staff and volunteers

 

THE WPBA Commitment to Child Safety

The safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our club is our highest priority. We are committed to providing an environment that is safe and inclusive for all children and young people and take our obligations under the Victorian Child Safe Standards seriously. We adopt and adhere to Basketball Victoria’s Child Safe Policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct, which provide clear guidelines to ensure a child-safe environment through appropriate recruitment, training, reporting, and behaviour expectations for all members.

 

View the Basketball Victoria – Child Safe Policy

View the Basketball Victoria – Child Safe Code of Conduct

Resource Hub – Child Safe Standards

Western Port Basketball Child Safety Report Form

 

Child Safeguarding in Basketball

Basketball Victoria has zero tolerance to child abuse in any form.

All children and young people have the right to participate in basketball environments where they feel safe, encouraged, and heard.

Child Safety in Victoria

The Victorian Child Safe Standards, introduced in January 2016, aim to protect children from abuse in organisations, including physical violence, sexual offences, serious emotional or psychological abuse and neglect.  Changes have been made to make the standards even stronger, these changes come into effect on 1 July 2022.

To create and maintain a child safe organization, WPBA are committed to adhering to all 11 of the child safety standards as described here –

  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.
  2. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
  3. Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
  4. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
  5. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
  6. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
  7. Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
  8. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
  9. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
  10. Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
  11. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

The Standards apply to WPBA as a whole, not only the areas that work with children. This includes:

  • Board of management/committee members
  • All paid staff (CEO, Executive, employees)
  • All volunteers (coaches, officials, administrators, scorers etc)
  • All students on placement
  • Any contractors that are engaged.

 

Reporting Concerns

If you believe a child is at immediate danger or risk of abuse call 000.

We encourage anyone with concerns about child safety to come forward. Reports can be made to our Child Safety Officer by completing the Western Port Basketball Child Safety Report Form. All concerns are taken seriously and handled with the utmost care and confidentiality.

To speak to our Child Safety and Wellbeing Officer about our commitment to child safety or to report a child safety concern please contact childsafety@wpba.com.au

Working with Children Check and Member Protection Declaration

All adult Coaches, Team Managers, Officials, Staff and Volunteers working with children under the age of 18 are required to provide a current Working with Children Check (WWCC), linked to the Association and complete the WPBA member protection declaration form on Play HQ. If you require a WWCC you can apply for one at https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

All junior coaching staff and volunteers are encouraged to apply for a WWCC when they turn 17 and not wait until they turn 18.

The Basketball Victoria Member Protection By-Law sets out the obligations for screening persons who work with children and deal with discrimination, harassment, and vilification in an effective, appropriate, and timely manner.

Resources and Support

The WPBA Child Safety Officers are Kristen Beagley and Andrew Burke and they can be contacted at childsafety@wpba.com.au

For more information on child safety, please refer to the resources provided by Basketball Victoria:

Resource Hub – Child Safe Standards