Child Safe Practices Do's and Don'ts
Protecting children and young people is everyone’s responsibility. By being informed and learning best practice we can build a safe sporting culture.
Our Children and Young People Safe Practices Do’s and Don’ts booklet and video resources provide helpful advice to identify and prevent behaviour that may be harmful to children and young people participating in sport.
Safeguarding Practice – Do's and Don’ts videos
Sport Integrity Australia has created a library of 13 Safeguarding Practice Do's and Don'ts videos, for parents and carers, sports and clubs, and coaches.
Each video highlights a key learning from the Safeguarding in Sport Children and Young People Safe Practices Do’s and Don’ts booklet (see below).
Watch the do's and don'ts video playlist:
Or click the title of a video in the below table, to watch in YouTube:
|
VIDEO |
WHAT THE VIDEO IS ABOUT |
| Professional Boundaries |
Professional boundaries, know the scope of your role. |
| Use of language and tone of voice |
Language and tone of voice used in the presence of children should provide clear direction, boost their confidence, encourage and affirm them and not be harmful. |
| Positive guidance |
To ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all children participating in sport; strategies that are fair, respectful and appropriate to the developmental stage of the children must be used. |
| Supervision |
Supervision is a key aspect of ensuring that children’s safety is protected. |
| Electronic or Online Communications |
For any electronic or online communication with children, you must adopt a two-deep model, that is, copy in the organisation and a parent or guardian in all communication. |
| Photos and videos |
This video demonstrates key considerations to ensure the protection of a child’s image and identity. |
| Physical Contact | Any physical contact with children must be appropriate to the delivery of your sport’s programs or services and based on the needs of the child, such as assisting with the use of equipment, technique, treatment by a health practitioner or administering first aid. |
| Overnight stay and travel arrangements |
Overnight stays involving children should only occur with your organisation’s approval, and consent of each child’s parent or guardian. |
| Possession or Supply Drugs Alcohol |
The message in this video is very simple ‘Just don’t - It is illegal’. |
| Parent guardian involvement |
Understand your rights and expectations as a guardian and/or parent in and around sports. |
| Transporting Children and Young People |
Children are only to be transported in circumstances that are directly related to the delivery of your sports programs, events or service. |
| Drop off and Pick Up |
Open and transparent communication in relation to the drop off and pick up of children is a proactive approach to ensuring their ongoing safety and wellbeing. |
| Change Room arrangements |
Know the boundaries and duty of care responsibilities for children and young people using changing facilities. |
Children and Young People Safe Practices Do’s and Don’ts booklet
The Children and Young People Safe Practices have been developed to identify and prevent behaviour that may be harmful to children and young people participating in sport. These practices are defined within the National Integrity Framework’s Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy.
‘Do’s and Don’ts’ within the booklet have been developed as a supplementary guide to the Children and Young People Safe Practices.
Download the Do's and Don'ts booklet:
Children and Young People Safe Practices Do’s and Don’ts booklet [PDF 6MB]
Child safeguarding practices in sport: A guide for managing high-risk activities
This essential resource for managing high-risk activities was developed for the benefit of children and young people who engage in Australian sport. Children and young people all have the right to feel safe in sport, and it’s everyone’s responsibility in sport to keep them safe.
The guide helps sporting organisations identify and reduce risks in environments where children may be vulnerable to harm or abuse, such as:
- overnight camps and competitions
- travelling and hosting arrangements
- change rooms and public environments
- online spaces.
It also offers practical steps for organisations to protect young athletes, from implementing safe travel protocols, to promoting digital safety and clear communication.
The guide complements our existing Do's and Don'ts booklet and has been created with input from key stakeholders including the National Office for Child Safety, Vicsport , and the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian.
Download the guide:
Guide for managing high-risk activities - Child safeguarding practices in sport [PDF 5.4MB]
Safeguarding information
For a full list of PDFs to download for distribution, visit the Safeguarding section of our Resources page.