Local football clubs and organisations are being encouraged to contribute to the ACT Government’s discussion surrounding Child Safe Standards in the nation’s capital.
Following the Royal Commission’s recommendations, the ACT Government is preparing to implement Child Safe Standards in the ACT to help organisations create a culture of safety that protects and empowers children and young people.
The Child Safe Standards will set out 10 practical steps that organisations, including sport and recreational clubs, can take to create safe environments for children, including governance, culture, staff recruitment, supervision, complaints, reporting, documenting policies and staff training.
The Standards aim to drive cultural change within organisations, so that protecting and empowering children and young people is fixed in the everyday thinking and practice of leaders, staff and volunteers.
Football being the largest junior participated sport in the ACT and the surrounding region, it is important that local clubs and organisations contribute to discuss what Child Safe Standards will mean for your players, your teams, your club and the broader sport and recreation community.
Club presidents, volunteers, parents and players encouraged to go to YourSay to:
- Explore the tools and resources available to assist organisations to provide safe environments for children and young people.
- Complete a short online survey regarding the types of support that will help your club comply with Child Safe Standards.
- Make a submission to the detailed design for the ACT Child Safe Standards scheme, which will be developed in early 2020.
The ACT Government will use all feedback to inform the ACT Child Safe Standards scheme. The consultation period closes on 28 February 2020.
Local football organisations are also invited to go to PlaybytheRules to attend online courses, including Child Protection Online Course and Let Kids Be Kids, to provide safe environments for children and young people.
