CHILD SAFETY

Commitment Statement

The Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people who participate in our activities. We take seriously our responsibility to deliver a sporting environment that is caring nurturing and safe. We support the rights of the child and will act at all times to ensure that a child safe environment is maintained.

WRAS opposes all forms of harassment, discrimination and bullying. We have zero tolerance of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently.

We have specific policies and procedures in place that support our athletes whilst assisting our staff, board members and volunteers in achieving these commitments.

CHILD SAFETY POLICIES

A range of policies have been developed to keep athletes involved with WRAS safe from neglect and abuse. All policies are reviewed regularly and following significant incidents if they occur.

– Code of Behaviour Policy for Athletes
– Code of Behaviour Policy for Squad Staff
– Member Protection Policy
– Privacy Policy
– Residential Camps Policy for Athletes
– Residential Camps Policy for Squad Staff
– Social Media Policy

A full list of WRAS policies can be found on our Corporate Documents page

We ensure all athletes and parents/guardians are educated on our commitment to promoting a child safe environment.
All athletes and parents/guardians acknowledge the WRAS code of behaviour and privacy policy upon accepting their scholarship and are provided a copy of the ‘WRAS – a safe place for all members’ document.

Athletes over the age of 14 years are also required to complete (with their parent/guardian) the Play by the rules Online Training; Child Protection and Harassment and Discrimination courses.

WRAS COACHES, VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF

WRAS will take all reasonable steps to ensure that it engages the most suitable and appropriate people to work with children. To minimise the likelihood of engaging (or retaining) people who are unsuitable to work with children, WRAS ensure that all coaches, volunteers and staff:

– Complete Working with Children Checks
– Acknowledge and abide by WRAS policies
– Complete Play by the rules Online Training; Child Protection and Harassment and Discrimination courses
– Attend regular child safe education sessions arranged by WRAS

WRAS is committed to regularly training and educating our coaches, volunteers and staff on child abuse risks. We are committed to identifying risks early and reducing or removing these risks.
We monitor our coaches, staff and volunteers to ensure appropriate practices and behaviours are followed. We communicate with our staff and volunteers to ensure they understand and abide by WRAS policies.

WRAS CHAPLAIN AND MEMBER PROTECTION INFORMATION OFFICER (MPIO)

WRAS have partnered with Sports Chaplaincy Australia to provide additional support to our athletes, coaches, volunteers and staff.
How Sports Chaplaincy Australia support the Western Region Academy of Sport and other clubs/associations.

Sports Chaplains provides clubs with:

– A ‘safe’ person for members to confide in
– A caring person for those in distress
– Help to clubs or individuals to navigate grief and loss
– Someone to help you build a healthy and strong community

In addition to this, WRAS also has a Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO).
The MPIO provides confidential, impartial information and support and acts as a sounding board for complaint resolution options.
MPIOs are impartial and do not mediate or investigate complaints but rather provide impartial information about WRAS policies, processes and procedures. The MPIO can make contact with the appropriate person/organisation to resolve any concern or complaint and pass on pertinent information.

How to contact the WRAS Chaplain or MPIO
Chaplain (John Armstrong) – email – chaplain@wras.org.au
MPIO (Beth Shea) – email – mpio@wras.org.au

WRAS BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

The (WRAS) Board of Management is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people who participate in our activities. Child Safety is a permanent agenda item for discussion by the WRAS Board of Management at each meeting. Creating a child safe environment is embedded within the WRAS guiding principles as part of the WRAS strategic plan.