Frankston Bobcats Basketball Club
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Frankston Bobcats Basketball Club

Child Safety & Member Protection Policy

Frankston Bobcats Basketball Club is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and child-focused environment where all children and young people feel respected, valued and protected from harm.

We have zero tolerance for child abuse and take all allegations and concerns seriously.

Our club complies with:

  • Victorian Child Safe Standards

  • Basketball Victoria Child Safeguarding Policy

  • Reportable Conduct Scheme (Victoria)

  • Working With Children Act 2005 (Vic)

1. Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

Frankston Bobcats Basketball Club:

  • Prioritises the safety and wellbeing of children above all else

  • Promotes a culture of listening to children and empowering their voices

  • Supports and respects all children regardless of ability, gender, cultural background, or identity

  • Takes all concerns, complaints and disclosures seriously

  • Actively works to prevent child abuse before it occurs

2. Code of Conduct & Expected Behaviour

All coaches, team managers, committee members, volunteers, parents and players must:

  • Treat all children with respect and dignity

  • Promote inclusion and equal opportunity

  • Use positive and age-appropriate language

  • Avoid favouritism or exclusive relationships

  • Maintain professional boundaries at all times

  • Follow Basketball Victoria’s Code of Conduct

  • Comply with PlayHQ registration and validation requirements

Prohibited behaviours include:

  • Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

  • Grooming behaviour

  • Inappropriate physical contact

  • Private messaging minors without parental visibility

  • Bullying, harassment, or discrimination

  • Photographing children without consent

3. Working With Children Check (WWCC)

All volunteers aged 18 and over in child-related roles must hold a current WWCC.

This includes:

  • Coaches

  • Assistant coaches

  • Team managers

  • Committee members

  • Any volunteer regularly interacting with players

Applications are completed via:
https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

WWCC details must be entered correctly in PlayHQ for validation.

Teachers must register under Teacher Exemption with a valid VIT number.

Police officers are no longer exempt and must hold a valid WWCC.

4. Member Protection Declaration (Integrated in PlayHQ)

Basketball Victoria requires all volunteers in child-related roles to complete a Member Protection Declaration.

This is now completed automatically during PlayHQ registration each season.

Volunteers must have a VALID PlayHQ status before:

  • Being allocated to a team

  • Coaching on game day

  • Acting as a team manager

No validation = no participation in an official role.

5. Recruitment & Screening Practices

Frankston Bobcats Basketball Club:

  • Requires WWCC verification through PlayHQ

  • Ensures Member Protection Declaration completion

  • Reviews any disclosed disciplinary history

  • May refuse or remove individuals who do not meet child safety standards

All volunteers are appointed conditionally, subject to compliance.

6. Supervision & Safe Practices

To minimise risk, the club follows these practices:

  • No adult is to be alone with a child in isolated spaces

  • Change rooms are supervised appropriately

  • Coaches must avoid transporting players alone unless parent consent is provided

  • Communication with players must occur via team platforms that include parents

  • No direct one-on-one private social media messaging

7. Online & Social Media Safety

All digital communication must:

  • Be transparent

  • Include parents/guardians

  • Be basketball-related only

  • Avoid personal or private discussions

Photos and videos:

  • Require parental consent

  • Must not identify a child without permission

  • Must be used appropriately

8. Diversity & Inclusion

The club is committed to supporting:

  • Children with disability

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

  • Culturally and linguistically diverse families

  • LGBTQIA+ young people

Discrimination, racism or vilification will not be tolerated.

9. Reporting Concerns or Allegations

If a child is in immediate danger, call 000.

Concerns about child safety may be reported to:

  • The Club Child Safety Officer (details to be listed on website)

  • The Club President

  • Basketball Victoria

  • Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)

All reports will be:

  • Taken seriously

  • Treated confidentially

  • Handled promptly and appropriately

The club complies with the Victorian Reportable Conduct Scheme.

10. Complaints Handling Process

When a complaint is received:

  1. It will be acknowledged promptly

  2. The safety of the child will be prioritised

  3. Appropriate authorities will be notified if required

  4. The matter will be documented

  5. Support will be offered to affected parties

Retaliation against anyone making a complaint will not be tolerated.

11. Risk Management

The club:

  • Reviews child safety risks annually

  • Updates policies regularly

  • Monitors compliance through PlayHQ

  • Ensures volunteers are validated before allocation

12. Education & Awareness

The club promotes awareness by:

  • Sharing child safety policies publicly

  • Providing links to Basketball Victoria safeguarding resources

  • Requiring annual PlayHQ compliance

  • Encouraging parents to speak up

13. Privacy & Record Keeping

All child safety information:

  • Is handled confidentially

  • Stored securely

  • Shared only with relevant authorities when required

14. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed:

  • Annually

  • Following any serious incident

  • Following changes to legislation or Basketball Victoria requirements