Child Safety

Child Safety at Sunbury Basketball Association

At Sunbury Basketball Association (SBA), the safety, participation, and empowerment of children is our highest priority. Every child involved with SBA and our affiliated clubs has the right to feel safe and to be safe.

To ensure this, all members of our community - including players, coaches, volunteers, and staff - are expected to uphold our ethical standards, comply with screening requirements, follow all relevant policies and procedures, and adhere to our Codes of Conduct. These measures help us maintain the highest standard of care for young people in our programs.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

We uphold the Child Safe Code of Conduct and follow Basketball Victoria’s Child Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct, which form the foundation of our child safety approach. These standards and policies guide our practices, help us identify and manage risk, and ensure that our staff and volunteers are equipped to respond appropriately to any concerns.

We are committed to:

· Zero tolerance for child abuse

· Taking all allegations and safety concerns seriously and responding promptly

· Meeting legal and moral obligations to report concerns to authorities

· Preventing abuse by identifying and reducing risks early

· Supporting and respecting all children, staff, and volunteers

· Providing a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and children with a disability

All members of our community must adhere to our ethical framework, screening requirements, policies, procedures, and Codes of Conduct to ensure the highest standard of care.

You can access our key child safety documents here:

· Basketball Victoria Child Safeguarding Policy

· Basketball Victoria Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 000.

Reporting a Child Safety Concern

SBA has a clear process for identifying, responding to, and reporting suspected child safety concerns or abuse. Any member of our community - whether staff, volunteer, or parent - can submit a report.

You can report:

· Any form of child abuse: physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, psychological, or neglect

· Disclosures of abuse or harm

· Allegations, suspicions, or concerning observations

· Breaches of SBA or Basketball Victoria Codes of Conduct

· Any other child safety or wellbeing issues

The SBA Child Safe Incident Reporting Process outlines:

· Who can report

· What can be reported

· How to submit a report

· What happens next

· How outcomes are determined

All reports must be submitted via the SBA Child Safe Incident Report Form (online only). This form is to be used for all child safety matters, including allegations or incidents of abuse.

Working with Children Check & Member Protection Declaration

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all young participants, all adult Coaches, Team Managers, Officials, Staff, and Volunteers working with children under the age of 18 are required to:

· Hold a current Working with Children Check (WWCC)

· Link the WWCC to the Sunbury Basketball Association (SBA)

· Complete and submit a Member Protection Statutory Declaration

A copy of your WWCC card and a signed Member Protection Declaration must be provided to SBA before you begin working with children.

How to Apply for a WWCC

If you do not yet have a WWCC, you can apply online at: www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

When completing the application:

· Add SBA as an organisation linked to your application

· Use the following details:

o Occupational Field: Clubs and Associations – Code 42

o Organisation Name: Sunbury Basketball Association

o Address: 120 Wilsons Lane, Sunbury VIC 3429

o Phone: (03) 9744 4762

Related Policies and Forms

Please ensure you are familiar with the following documents:

· SBA Working with Children Check Procedure

· SBA Member Protection Statutory Declaration

These documents outline the requirements and expectations for all adults involved in junior basketball programs at SBA.

Mandatory Online Training - Safeguarding Children & Young People in Sport Induction

All Coaches, Team Managers, and Officials are required to complete Child Safety Training annually to ensure we maintain a safe and supportive environment for all young people involved in our programs.

The required course is: Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport – Induction (provided by Sport Integrity Australia) This training is also available to anyone in our basketball community who would like to learn more about creating child-safe environments.

To complete the course:

1. Create an account with Sport Integrity Australia

2. Access the Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport – Induction module

3. Allow approximately 30 minutes to complete the training

4. Once completed, email a copy of your certificate to admin@sunburybasketball.com.au for our records