Child Safe Policy

Think Set Go believes in the safety of all Children. We have strict child safety guidelines which are followed at all times.

Child Safe Policy

CHILD SAFE POLICY – THINK SET GO

POLICY NAME: Think Set Go Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

DATE OF ISSUE: 18/11/2023

POLICY COVERAGE: This policy applies to all events or functions that involve Think Set Go working with children

DATE OF REVIEW: 18/11/2025

CONTROLLING BODY: Think Set Go

INTRODUCTION

Think Set Go acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate. We acknowledge and respect their contributions, experience and knowledge as First Nations people. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

This Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy was approved by the Management Committee on 18 November 2023. It demonstrates the strong commitment of management, staff and volunteers to child safety and wellbeing, and how our organisation keeps children safe from harm, including child abuse.

Think Set Go is committed to ensuring that children and young people who participate in its activities have a safe and happy experience. Think Set Go supports and respects children, young people, staff, volunteers and participants.

The aim of Think Set Go’s Child Safe Policy is to protect the safety of children in our care and prevent abuse from occurring, and in the event that allegations are raised in relation to child abuse, to ensure that the allegations are properly addressed. All complaints will be treated seriously and fully investigated and handled with maximum confidentiality and discretion.

Should a person wish to make any enquiries in relation to this Policy, please contact the Director of Think Set Go, info@thinksetgo.com.au

POLICY STATEMENT

Think Set Go is committed to providing the highest level of membership service. This includes protecting members' privacy, promoting positive behaviours and attitudes, protecting the health safety and wellbeing of members, particularly children and delivering Think Set Go's activities while acting in the best interests of children.

Specifically, Think Set Go considers that the health, safety and well-being of children take priority over all other competing considerations. Think Set Go considers that this is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all members and protect the image and reputation of the organisation, Think Set Go and its affiliate members.

Think Set Go has a zero tolerance approach to child abuse and is committed to promoting and protecting children from abuse and neglect to the greatest extent possible. All children have equal rights to protection from child abuse, regardless of their sex, religion, disability or sexual orientation etc.

Child protection is a shared responsibility between Think Set Go, its employees, workers, contractors, associates, parents/guardians, coaches, spectators, volunteers and members of the Think Set Go community. Everyone that participates in Think Set Go’s activities is responsible for the care and protection of children, and reporting information about child abuse.

Think Set Go supports the active participation of all children. It listens to their views, respects their views and involves them when making decisions, where appropriate, especially about matters that will directly affect them (including their safety).

Think Set Go is also committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, and those from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children living with a disability.

Think Set Go promotes respect and consideration for all staff, volunteers and participants.

SCOPE

  • This Policy applies to participants and staff throughout all Think Set Go events and activities.

  • This Policy will continue to apply retrospectively to a person or Member following the cessation of their association or employment with Think Set Go.

RELATED DOCUMENTS & LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

This Policy must be read in conjunction with:

  • the law of the Commonwealth and Victoria including but not limited to:

  • Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic)

  • Child Wellbeing and Safety Amendment (Child Safe Standards) Act 2015 (Vic)

  • Crimes Act 1958 (Vic); and

  • Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic)

Think Set Go policies and procedures, including but not limited to:

  • Codes of Conduct;

  • Photography Policy

DEFINITIONS

  • Child means a person involved in the activities of Think Set Go and under the age of 18 years unless otherwise stated under the law applicable to the child.

  • Child protection means any responsibility, measure or activity undertaken to safeguard children from harm.

  • Sexual offence means a criminal offence involving sexual activity or actions of indecency or any act which exposes a child to, or involves a child in, sexual activity or matters beyond his or her understanding or contrary to accepted community standards. Sexually offence behaviours can include the fondling of genitals, masturbation, oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration by a penis, finger or any other object, fondling of breasts, voyeurism, exhibitionism, and exposing the child to or involving the child in pornography. It includes child grooming, which includes actions deliberately undertaken with the aim of befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child (or the child’s carer, family or supervisor) to lower the child’s inhibitions and prepare them for engagement in a sexual offence.

  • Mandatory reporter means a person who is legally required to make a report to the Department of Human Services or the Police if they form a belief on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection. It includes teachers, principals, registered psychologists, nurses, doctors and midwives.

RECOGNISING AND REPORTING CHILD ABUSE

  • A person may, in the course of participating in the activities of Think Set Go or carrying out their work, form a belief on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection from child abuse.

  • If a person is concerned about an immediate risk to a child’s safety, the person must phone “000” as soon as practicable.

  • Child abuse can be divided into four categories:

  • Physical abuse: occurs when a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant harm as a result of a physical injury, such as a non-accidental physical injury.

  • Sexual abuse: occurs when a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant harm as a result of sexual abuse, such as when a child is exploited, or used by another for his or her sexual gratification or sexual arousal, or for that of others.

  • Emotional and psychological abuse: occurs when a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, emotional or psychological harm of such a kind that the child’s emotional or intellectual development is or is likely to be significantly damaged; and

  • Neglect: occurs when a child’s physical development or health has been, or is likely to be significantly damaged. It refers to an omission, such as depriving a child of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision and safety, attachment to and affection from adults, or medical care.

  • Child abuse includes any actions that results in actual or potential harm to a child, in circumstances where the child’s parents have not protected, or are unlikely to protect, the child.

Mandatory Reporters

Select classes of people in the community (including teachers, nurses and doctors) are required by law to report to the Child Protection Unit of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) where they have formed a belief, on reasonable grounds, that a child is in need of protection because they have suffered (or are likely to suffer) significant harm due to physical or sexual abuse.

This report must be made as soon as practicable, and after each occasion where he or she becomes aware of a further reasonable grounds for the belief.

Reasonable grounds for belief

A reasonable belief is formed if a reasonable person believes that:

  • the child is in need of protection;

  • the child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm as a result of physical or sexual injury; and

  • the child’s parents are unable or unwilling to protect the child.

To form a reasonable belief, you should consider and objectively assess all the relevant facts, such as the source of the allegation and how it was communicated, the nature of and details of the allegation, and whether there is any other related matters known regarding the alleged perpetrator.

A ‘reasonable belief’ or a ‘belief on reasonable grounds’ is not the same as having proof, but is more than mere rumour or speculation.

You will have reasonable grounds to notify if:

  • a child states that they have been physically or sexually abused;

  • a child states that they know someone who has been physically or sexually abused (sometimes the child may be talking about themselves);

  • someone who knows a child states that the child has been physically or sexually abused;

  • professional observations of the child’s behaviour or development leads a professional to form a belief that the child has been physically or sexually abused or is likely to be abused; or

  • signs of abuse lead to a belief that the child has been physically or sexually abused.

Voluntary Reporters

In addition to the mandatory reporting obligations above, any person who believes on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection from any form of child abuse, may disclose that information to the Police or DHHS.

Reporting Child Sexual Abuse

If a person receives information that leads them to form a reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed in Victoria against a child (under the age of 16 years) by another person (of or over the age of 18 years), the person has a legal obligation to disclose that information to the Police as soon as it is practicable. Individuals who fail to comply with this obligation under the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) may be subject to a penalty of 3 years imprisonment.

Think Set Go’s Approach to Reports of Abuse

Think Set Go supports and encourages a person to make a report to the Police or DHHS if they form a belief on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection, or they are concerned about the safety, health or wellbeing of a child.

Any person that makes a report in good faith in accordance with their reporting obligations (whether mandatory or discretionary) will be supported by Think Set Go, and will not be penalised by Think Set Go for making the report.

If a person is uncertain as to whether they should make a report to an external authority in relation to the safety of a child, they may speak to Think Set Go’s CEO for guidance and information. If in doubt, ask for assistance.

If an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer, Think Set Go will follow the reporting procedure and take all steps to ensure that the safety if the child is paramount. An initial step will involve the withdrawal of the accused person from active duty, which could entail standing down, reassignment to a role without direct contact with children, working under closer supervision during an investigation, working from home, or any other measures deemed appropriate depending on the seriousness of the allegation.

Think Set Go will investigate allegations of inappropriate conduct against a child in accordance with procedural fairness and will handle the allegations in a confidential manner to the greatest extent possible.

Think Set Go will cooperate with the directions of the Police and/or DHHS in relation to any investigation conducted by these authorities.

Think Set Go will keep a register of any allegations regarding inappropriate conduct.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PERSONNEL PROTECTING CHILDREN

Personnel involved in protecting children include management, staff and volunteers within the Organisation. Those people have responsibilities in relation to protection of children and are expected to:

  • understand the rights of children, as appropriate to their role;

  • respect the cultural and religious practices of families who access Think Set Go's services, programs or events;

  • understand and appropriately respond to the needs of children with developmental delays or disabilities;

  • appropriately act on any concerns raised by children;

  • understand the definitions, indicators and impact of child abuse:

  • know and follow regulations in relation to the care of children;.

  • co-operate with police and/or other formal investigations to the best of their ability; and

  • not harm or exploit children who access Think Set Go's services.

ENGAGING NEW PERSONNEL

The minimum standard for background checks of employees and volunteers of Think Set Go and its members is the law as it applies in Victoria.

Think Set Go undertakes a comprehensive recruitment and screening process for all staff and volunteers which aims to:

  • promote and protect the safety of all children who participate in the activities of Think Set Go;

  • identify and recruit the safest and most suitable candidates who share Think Set Go’s values and commitment to protect children; and

  • prevent a person from working at Think Set Go if they pose an unacceptable risk to children.

Think Set Go requires staff and volunteers to pass the recruitment and screening process prior to commencing their engagement with Think Set Go.

As part of the screening and recruitment process, an applicant must provide appropriate evidence (e.g. WWCC or other state equivalent and/or Police check) to show that they are suitable to work with children and young people in a recreational setting.

  • all Think Set Go staff require a current WWCC

  • anyone else who Think Set Go staff feel requires a WWCC due to the nature of the work that they are undertaking for Think Set Go.

The type of evidence that an applicant is required to provide to Think Set Go will vary depending on the type of position that they are applying for. However, an applicant will not be offered a position until they provide the required evidence to Think Set Go.

Think Set Go will exercise discretion and may require applicants to provide a Police check in accordance with the law and as appropriate, before they commence their engagement and during their time with Think Set Go in regular intervals.

Think Set Go will undertake thorough reference checks prior to engaging any personnel.

Once engaged, Think Set Go will provide staff and volunteers with access to this policy and staff and volunteers must review and acknowledge their understanding of this policy.

RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACH

Child safety is a part of Think Set Go 's overall risk management approach.

POLICY BREACHES

It is a breach of this policy for any person or organisation to which this policy applies, to have been found to have done anything contrary to this policy.

Think Set Go takes all allegations seriously and has practices in place to investigate thoroughly and quickly. Our staff, volunteers and contractors are trained to deal appropriately with allegations of child abuse.

We work to ensure all children, families, staff, volunteers, and contractors know what to do and who to tell if they observe abuse or are a victim, and if they notice inappropriate behaviour.

We all have a responsibility to report an allegation of abuse if we have a reasonable belief that an incident took place to the student’s school administrators.

POLICY PROMOTION

This policy will be made available to all members via www.thinksetgo.com.au

This policy will be communicated to all staff via email and meetings.

References to this policy will be included in documentation provided to all team officials that represent Think Set Go.

REVIEW PROCESS

This policy will be reviewed by the Think Set Go staff on an annual basis.

If you would like to provide Think Set Go with any feedback or suggestions to improve this policy, please contact Think Set Go, info@thinksetgo.com.au

In addition to the regular review of this policy, recommendations for changes to the policy may be submitted to the Director for consideration at any time. In the event that changes are accepted, the policy will be updated, and circulated to all stakeholders via the webpage, bulletin and other appropriate communication channels.