Child Protection Policy

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR INTERACTION WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Humpybong Yacht Club staff and volunteers who work with children and young people have a responsibility to keep those children and young people safe. Humpybong Yacht Club takes steps to protect children from abuse and neglect as outlined in this code of conduct.

This code of conduct includes details of acceptable and unacceptable behaviours in dealing with children. It:

assists with the protection of children from abuse and neglect; and
provides clarity to staff, contractors and volunteers who work with children by clarifying acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

All Humpybong Yacht Club staff and volunteers are required to observe child safe principles and expectations for appropriate behaviour towards and in the company of children, as noted below.

Members of the Club will:

Humpybong Yacht Club instructors, members and volunteers are responsible for supporting the safety and well-being of children by:

adhering to Humpybong Yacht Club’s Child Safety Policy at all times;
taking all reasonable steps to protect children participating in Humpybong Yacht Club programs from abuse and neglect;
treating children and young people with respect;
listening and responding to the views and concerns of children, particularly if they are reporting that they or another child has been abused and/or are worried about their safety or the safety of others;
ensuring as far as practicable that an adult (other than a parent) is not left alone with a child;
reporting any allegations of child abuse in accordance with Humpybong Yacht Club’s Member Protection Policy;
if an allegation of child abuse is made, taking steps as quickly as possible to ensure that the child or children concerned are safe; and
where possible, encouraging children to ‘have a say’ and participate in relevant organisational activities.

Unacceptable behaviour

Humpybong Yacht Club staff and volunteers must not:

develop ‘special’ relationships with children that could be seen as favouritism (for example, by offering gifts or giving special treatment to specific children);
engage in any form of ‘sexual behaviour’ with, or in the presence of, children or young people;
take any disciplinary action against a child or young person involving physical punishment or any form of treatment that could reasonably be considered as degrading, cruel, frightening or humiliating;
exhibit behaviours with children which may be construed as unnecessarily physical (for example: touching their genital area, buttocks or breasts);
assist a child with activities of a personal nature that the child can do for themselves, such as toileting or changing clothes;
engage in open discussions of a mature or adult nature in the presence of children (for example, personal social activities);
use inappropriate language in the presence of children;
express personal views on cultures, race or sexuality in the presence of children;
discriminate against any child, including because of culture, race, ethnicity or disability;
have contact with a child outside of sailing without consent (for example, social functions or child minding);
supply alcohol or drugs (including tobacco) to children and young people participating in sailing;
use electronic communication (email, text messages, twitter etc) with a child or young person other than in connection with Humpybong Yacht Club programs (for example sending e-newsletters to the child and their family);
Ignore or disregard any suspected or disclosed child abuse.

Humpybong Yacht Club staff, contractors and volunteers must observe this code of conduct and accept responsibility for immediately reporting any breach of this code to Humpybong Yacht Club’s Child Safety Officer or management team.

Children also have responsibilities. They will:

have respect for other children, young people and adults;
use safe and appropriate behaviour on club grounds and on the water;
report inappropriate behaviour and unsafe situations or harm.

VOLUNTEERS WORKING WITH CHILDREN

All volunteers who work with children must hold a current Positive Notice Bluecard issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian and must have their names listed in the club's register of blue card holders. The only volunteers who do not require a Bluecard are volunteers under the age of 18 years or those who are working with their own children.

The club will maintain a register of current Positive Notice Bluecard holders and keep it available for inspection at the club.

HANDLING DISCLOSURES OR SUSPICIONS OF HARM

This policy applies to disclosures or suspicions of harm to children and young people, irrespective whether they attend Humpybong Yacht Club or whether the harm occurred internal or external to Humpybong Yacht Club.

A disclosure or suspicion of harm will be documented in a non-judgemental and accurate manner as soon as possible. Under no circumstances should the volunteer investigate or probe the young person for additional information. A copy of the written account shall be given to the police or child safety officer who takes over the case. The volunteer should keep the original report in a safe place where it cannot be accidentally read by other people.

Report disclosed or suspected harm to the Department of Child Safety if the suspicion or allegation of harm occurred at home.

Report disclosed or suspected harm to the Queensland Police Service if the suspicion or allegation of harm occurred outside the home.

MANAGING BREACHES OF THE CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

This plan outlines the steps to be taken following a breach of the child protection policy in order to address the breach in a fair and supportive manner.
A breach is any action or inaction by any member of the organisation, including children and young people, that fails to comply with any part of the policy. All members, volunteers and committee members shall comply with the policy.

When a breach is reported the following will occur:

The subject of the alleged breach will immediately discontinue involvement any club activity involving young people, until the alleged breach is resolved.
Unless the reported breach involves the President it will be managed by the President or the President’s nominated representative. If the reported breach involves the President, it will be managed by the Vice-President or the Commodore nominated representative. The nominated representative need not be a member of the Management Committee.
All people involved in the alleged breach shall be advised of the process.
All people involved in the alleged breach shall be given the opportunity to provide their version of events. These people shall include as a minimum the reporter, reportee, young person (if appropriate due to age or ability), the young person’s parent or guardian and any person having witnessed the alleged breach.
All details of the alleged breach shall be recorded, however all parties to the alleged breach shall maintain the strictest confidence unless such confidentially places a child at risk of harm.
The person managing the alleged breach shall decide an appropriate outcome, and shall report the outcome to the Management Committee.

Depending on the nature of the breach the outcome may include:

Dismissing the allegation as unfounded.
Emphasising the relevant component of the child protection policy.
Further education and training
Mediation between those involve in the incident
Review of current procedures and policies
Recommendation to the Management Committee that the member be stopped from volunteering with young people at the club
Recommendation to the Management Committee that the member be subject to disciplinary procedures as allowed by the Constitution of the club.
Reporting the incident to the Police or Department of Child Safety.

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of abuse phone 000.

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