CHILD SAFE POLICY

1. INTRODUCTION

• Keilor Park Soccer Club ( KPSC) is committed to ensuring that children and young people who participate in its activities have a safe and happy experience. KPSC supports and respects children, young people, staff, volunteers, and participants.
• The aim of KPSC’s Child Safe Policy (the Policy) is to protect the safety of children in our care and prevent  abuse from occurring,  and  in  the  event  that  allegations  are  raised  in relation to child abuse, to ensure that the allegations are properly addressed. All complaints will be treated seriously and fully investigated and handled with maximum confidentiality and discretion.
• Should a person wish to make any enquiries in relation to this Policy, please contact the Member Protection Information Officer at memberprotection@keilorparksoccerclub.com.au

1. POLICY STATEMENT

• KPSC is committed to providing the highest level of safety for all involved with Football/SocThecer. This includes protecting members’ privacy, promoting positive behaviours and attitudes, protecting the health safety and wellbeing of members, particularly children and delivering  KPSC’s activities while acting in the best interests of children in the sport.
• Specifically, KPSC considers that the health, safety, and well-being of children take priority over all other competing considerations.  KPSC considers that this is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all members and protect the image and reputation of the sport,  KPSC, and its members.
• KPSC has a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and is committed to promoting and protecting children from abuse and neglect to the greatest extent possible. All children have equal rights to protection from child abuse, regardless of their gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation or sex characteristics etc.
• Child protection is a shared responsibility between KPSC, its employees, associates, parents/guardians, coaches, spectators, volunteers, and members of  KPSC community. Everyone that participates in  KPSC’s activities is responsible for the care and protection of children and reporting information about child abuse.
• KPSC supports the active participation of all children. It listens to their views, respects their views, and involves them when making decisions, where appropriate, especially about matters that will directly affect them (including their safety).
• KPSC is also committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, and those from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children living with a disability.
• KPSC promotes fairness and consideration for all staff, volunteers and participants. For further details please refer to  KPSC Member Protection Policy.

2. SCOPE

• This Policy applies to everyone involved in or connected to KPSC including (but not limited to) participants, parents, spectators, contractors, officials, coaches, referees, and staff throughout all  KPSC events and activities.
• This Policy will continue to apply retrospectively to a person or Member following the cessation of their association or employment with KPSC.

3. RELATED DOCUMENTS & LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

• This Policy must be read in conjunction with:
• the laws of the Commonwealth and Victoria (as amended from time to time) including but not limited to:
• Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic)
• Child Wellbeing and Safety Amendment (Child Safe Standards) Act 2015 (Vic)
• Crimes Act 1958 (Vic); and
• Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic)
• KPSC’s policies and procedures, including but not limited to:
• Social Media policy
• Constitution;
• Codes of behaviour;
• Grievance and Discipline procedures; and

State Body Member matter: incidents that occur at state level, or that involve people operating at state level, should be reported to and handled by Football Victoria at first instance.

How KPSC will manage your formal complaint

 The complaint will usually be managed by the Club MPIO or a member of the KPSC Committee. The MPIO will record all of the details of your complaint and explain your options for resolution. Even though you have made the complaint ‘formal’, a range of informal resolution strategies are still available. The MPIO will explain informal complaint resolution strategies to you.

• Observation

Example: A coach at a senior women’s grassroots team constantly uses derogatory terms when referring to the players. The club secretary attends training and hears the coach using this language during the session. The secretary is able to call the coach over and tell them that this behaviour is unacceptable.

• Education

Example: The President of the club sits down with the coach and explains that in line with the club’s code of conduct, verbal abuse and intimidation of members is not appropriate under any circumstances. The coach explains that they are going through a stressful period at home. The President explains that the club is willing to offer support to help the coach manage the situation. The President and the coach book in another conversation in a week’s time.

• Counselling

Example: The club secretary and the coach have a discussion about inappropriate language. The secretary explains that certain words they have been using are offensive, inappropriate and are upsetting for the players. The coach now appreciates that their behaviour is unacceptable and that external pressures have got the better of them. They undertake to do training and to refrain from using the language again.

When Informal strategies don’t work

 Sometimes, informal strategies don’t work or for whatever reason, are not appropriate to the situation. In most instances, it is your choice whether the proceed through to formal complaint resolution. Sometimes, if the behaviour being complained about is very serious, the KPSC Committee will refer the complaint directly to formal resolution.

Formal procedures are usually appropriate in the following circumstances:

• informal attempts have failed;
• the complaint involves serious allegations;
• allegations are denied;
• the complaint is against someone holding a senior position in the relevant organisation;
• the Complainant has been victimised; and/or
• the Complainant wants to make it formal.

Three Steps to a Formal Complaint Resolution

Investigate

If an investigation needs to be conducted to gather more information about a complaint, an impartial person will undertake the investigation. This may be a person from within KPSC who is not otherwise connected to you, such the Complaints Handler, Complaints Officer or another appropriate staff member such as a legal professional or person with experience in conducting investigations (such as a background in law enforcement). Or, if appropriate in the circumstances, an independent external investigator may be appointed.

 Report

The investigator may deliver a report to the Committee as to whether in their view the complaint is:

• substantiated (there is sufficient evidence to support the complaint);
• inconclusive (there is insufficient evidence either way);
• unsubstantiated (there is sufficient evidence to show that the complaint is unfounded); and/or
•  mischievous, vexatious or knowingly untrue; and
• if requested, recommend whether action should be taken in accordance with the Football Australia National Code of Conduct and Ethics or any other relevant rules, regulations or codes.

The investigator may make recommendations in their report. However, any decision about a breach must be referred to the relevant Football Entity to consider and determine in accordance with their rules and, where applicable, the Football Australia National Code of Conduct and Ethics.

Mediation

At this point, the complaint may be able to be resolved through mediation. Complaints may be resolved by agreement between the people involved with no need for formal disciplinary action. Mediation allows those involved to be heard and to come up with mutually agreed solutions. Mediation is a process during which people in conflict are helped to communicate with each other to identify the areas of dispute and to make decisions about resolving it.

Formal Disciplinary Action

If the Report by the investigator supports a finding that the complaint is substantiated and the matter is not (or is not appropriate to be) resolved through mediation, the KPSC Committee can decide to convene a disciplinary sub-committee to consider whether the matter should be referred for formal disciplinary action. Formal disciplinary action will only be taken by KPSC consistent with the Football Australia National Code of Conduct and Ethics.

Resources

Member Protection Framework – https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/member-protection-framework

Football Victoria Child Safety Standards  – https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/resources/clubs/child-safety

Sport Recreation Victoria Safeguarding Children Regulations and Standards –https://sport.vic.gov.au/publications-and-resources/integrity-sport/safeguarding-children

Purpose

To ensure that the Keilor Park Soccer Club continues to strive towards access for diverse members and volunteers and that all people associated with the club are treated equally and fairly, with dignity and respect on all occasions.

The club will:

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally, regardless of age, gender, race, ability, religious belief, sexuality and/or preferences, or social/economic status.
• Value the diversity of its participants and welcomes people of all abilities and backgrounds to participate within the club and all its activities.
• Ensure equity is adopted across all areas of its operations including representation in areas of decision-making. The development of consistent and transparent procedures for selection, dealing with grievances, etc will assist in the fair treatment of those associated with the club.
• Recognise the role every person plays to make the club a success. Success is not only measured by the on-field results, but by the culture, feel and atmosphere of the club.
• Commit to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in a friendly and positive environment, free of harassment, intimidation, and abuse. All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality in opportunity.
• Deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary guidelines and grievance procedures. These dealings should be transparent and consistent.
• Help new members feel like they belong, by introducing them to other members, providing all information, and showing them around the club.
• Ensure that where juniors are concerned, that equal learning opportunities and playing time are put ahead of winning.
• Relevant to this policy are procedures relating to selection, appointment of club positions, grievance and complaint procedures, junior coaching guidelines and member and volunteer induction.

Purpose

The Keilor Park Soccer Club will make every effort to offer participation opportunities for all members, regardless of ability, gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, etc. On some occasions this may not eventuate, meaning de-registration and refund considerations may be requested. As a club, we incur several costs at various stages of the season and calendar year (Eg. Insurance, Facility Hire, Utilities, etc), and this refund policy takes these elements into account

Policy Statement

The Keilor Park Soccer Club has complete and sole discretion regarding any refund of registration fees (apportioned or unportioned) to participants in relation to this policy, and these decisions are final.

The refund of any FV/FFA/Regional Association component will be entirely dependent on the club receiving this fee back from the governing body prior to issuing to any refund to an individual. Where no governing body fees are returned to the club, no refund of these governing body fees will be issued.

Please note that any registration fees, etc that have been funded by external supporting organisations, sponsors, etc will not be refunded to any individual.

In the event of a season is cancelled, a number of factors will be considered on the refund.  This includes, cost incurred by the club, FFV registration and insurance costs and how many rounds have been completed.

Refund Entitlement

1. Deposits paid as part of the registration process, will not be refundable
2. Should the club be unable to place you or your child into any team, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee, provided you or your child have not participated in any fixtures or the club has not incurred any cost with registering you or your child (i.e. FV/FFA/Regional Association component and club incurred costs, e.g. pre-season cups, apparel or ground rentals)
3. If the club has placed you or your child into a team and you have commenced club activities (including training), but you or your child decide to de-register before the start of the competition, the club will refund you up to 75% of your registration fee (Minus any FV/FFA/Regional Association component and club incurred costs, e.g. pre-season cups, apparel or ground rentals).
4. If you or your child de-register after the start of the competition, the Club will unfortunately be unable to offer a refund.
5. In the instance you or your child have been provided uniform, apparel, etc, the amounts related to these items will not be refunded and the participant will retain these items.

Once the club is satisfied with the refund application, we will:

Provide written acknowledgement of successful refund application

Notify the player of the intended timeframe to process the refund.

Initiate de-registration process.

Process refund through nominated method or preferred method of club.

Form of Refunds

Refunds will be paid in the preferred form of the Club, Direct debit. However, the Club will endeavour to provide the refund in the form requested by the participant.

Please note that any player approved to receive a refund under this Policy, will have their registration status changed to Inactive, Cancelled or Refunded in the National Online Registration System.

In addition, the Club Committee may in their sole discretion deem exceptional circumstances in relation to any individual registration that provide a refund over and above what is stated within this policy.

This following sets forth the Privacy Policy for Kelior Park Soccer Club of principles concerning the privacy of individuals.

Collection of your personal information

There are many aspects of the site which can be viewed without providing personal information, however, for access to future KPSC features you are required to submit personally identifiable information. This may include but not limited to a unique username and password, or provide sensitive information in the recovery of your lost password.

Sharing of your personal information

We may occasionally hire other companies to provide services on our behalf, including but not limited to handling customer support enquiries, processing transactions or customer freight shipping. Those companies will be permitted to obtain only the personal information they need to deliver the service. KPSC takes reasonable steps to ensure that these organisations are bound by confidentiality and privacy obligations in relation to the protection of your personal information.

Use of your personal information

For each visitor to reach the site, we expressively collect the following non-personally identifiable information, including but not limited to browser type, version and language, operating system, pages viewed while browsing the Site, page access times and referring website address. This collected information is used solely internally for the purpose of gauging visitor traffic, trends and delivering personalized content to you while you are at this Site.

From time to time, we may use customer information for new, unanticipated uses not previously disclosed in our privacy notice. If our information practices change at some time in the future we will use for these new purposes only, data collected from the time of the policy change forward will adhere to our updated practices.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

KPSC reserves the right to make amendments to this Privacy Policy at any time. If you have objections to the Privacy Policy, you should not access or use the Site.

Accessing Your Personal Information

You have a right to access your personal information, subject to exceptions allowed by law. If you would like to do so, please let us know. You may be required to put your request in writing for security reasons. KPSC reserves the right to charge a fee for searching for, and providing access to, your information on a per request basis.

Contacting us

KPSC welcomes your comments regarding this Privacy Policy. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy and would like further information, please contact us via the Contact Us page.