Members Protection
MEMBER WELFARE IS IMPORTANT
Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club is committed to the protection, welfare and wellbeing of all its members and is dedicated to providing a safe, fun and enjoyable environment as outlined in the SLSA Member Protection Policy. We take an inclusive approach, ensuring all of our members are treated with respect and dignity and are protected from discrimination, harassment and abuse regardless of gender, age, ability or nationality.
Members are covered by Workers Compensation – SLSNSW for patrolling, club activities and competition.
SLSA CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
- Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club is committed to providing a safe, supportive, enjoyable environment for children through the SLSA Safeguarding Children and Young People Program. The program recognises the importance of protecting young people under the age of 18 from abuse, harm and exploitation. It is everyone’s responsibility to treat all children and young members respectfully, and within the child protection laws of Australia (free from any form of abuse).
Resources, webinars and online training courses are available to every club member to establish clear guidelines for appropriate behaviour when engaging with children and young people. To learn more about how you can protect our children and young members, please contact the Bilgola SLSC Member Protection Officer Rob Farr or read the Safeguarding Children Handbook.
All Bilgola SLSC members who work with children and young people are required to complete the Surf Life Saving’s Safeguarding Children and Young People Awareness Course. To ensure you are recognised for completing the course, please login to the Members Portal first. Access to the course can be found in Memberships > Courses > Login to ELearning > Training Library > SLS > Safety and Wellbeing (View Courses) > Safeguarding Children and Young People Awareness.
Play by the Rules also offers a free Child Protection online course that provides a certificate of completion. Bilgola SLSC encourages all members to complete this course.
NSW WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK (WWCC)
Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club has a strong interest in keeping children safe. As a club, we comply with the Child Protection legislation where all members in child-related roles are required to have a WWCC. For more information please read the Child Protection and the NSW Working With Children Check guidelines.
To apply for a WWCC please follow the process below and email your approved number to our Club Coordinator.
SLSA REPORTING GUIDELINES
All Bilgola SLSC members have a responsibility to speak up if they become aware of, or observe something considered inappropriate. Please contact Bilgola Surf Life Savings Club’s Member Protection Rob Farr or follow the guidelines below.
All reports submitted will be treated in confidence and with the utmost respect for all those involved.
Codes of Conduct
Our Club is committed to the safeguarding of children and young people in Surf Life Saving. One way we do this is by ensuring that our members behave in a way which creates a safe, positive and inclusive environment. Surf Life Saving’s Codes of Conduct represent the minimum standards of member behaviour and must be complied with at all times. There are two Codes of Conduct, both of which can be found in the SLSA Member Protection Policy.
- The General Code of Conduct: includes expectations relating to respect; ethics; professionalism; complying with SLSA rules, policies and procedures; reporting breaches of the Safeguarding Program; and being a positive role model.
- The Code of Conduct for People in Positions of Authority when Dealing with Children or Young People: includes expectations relating to positive guidance; overnight stays; language; adhering to role boundaries; transporting children; use of electronic communication; use of changing rooms; use of photography; physical contact; gift giving; wearing of uniforms; and use of alcohol or drugs.
Members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Codes of Conduct, and to ensure that their behaviour, as well as the behaviour of others within the Club, is appropriate. They are encouraged to say something if they see something that doesn’t feel right, or is not in line with the Codes of Conduct.