Child Safe Standards and Policies

• adhering to The Traralgon Swimming Club child safe policy at all times / The Traralgon Swimming Club statement of commitment to child safety at all time
• taking all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse
• treating everyone with respect
• listening and responding to the views and concerns of children, particularly if they are telling you that they or another child has been abused and/or are worried about their safety or the safety of another
• promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal children (for example, by never questioning an Aboriginal child’s self-identification)
• promoting the cultural of safety, participation and empowerment of children with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds (for example, by having a zero tolerance of discrimination)
• promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of children with a disability (for example, during personal care activities)
• ensuring as far as practicable that adults are not left alone with a child
• reporting any allegations of child abuse to The Traralgon Swimming Club Child Safety officer, Emily Couling and ensure any allegation to reported to the police or child protection
• reporting any child safety concerns to The Traralgon Swimming Club Child Safety Officer, Emily Couling.
• if an allegation of child abuse is made, ensure as quickly as possible that the child(ren) are safe
  • encouraging children to ‘have a say’ and participate in all relevant organisational activities where possible, especially on issues that are important to them.

Staff and volunteers must not:

• develop any ‘special’ relationships with children that could be seen as favouritism (for example, the offering of gifts or special treatment for specific children)
• exhibit behaviours with children which may be construed as unnecessarily physical (for example inappropriate sitting on laps. Sitting on laps could be appropriate sometime, for example while reading a storybook to a small child in an open plan area)
• put children at risk of abuse (for example, by locking doors)
• do things of a personal nature that a 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
  • ignore or disregard any suspected or disclosed child abuse.
  • exchange personal contact details such as phone number, social networking site or email addresses with children except as required for explicit swimming club communication
  • have unauthorised contact with children and young people online or by phone except as required for explicit swimming club communication.

By observing these standards you acknowledge your responsibility to immediately report any breach of this code to one of The Traralgon Swimming Club Child Safety Officer, Emily Couling.

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

Traralgon Swimming Club Inclusion Policy

Aims and objectives
Traralgon Swimming Club aims to give all members of the community every opportunity to achieve their swimming potential, irrespective of ethnicity, age, disability, gender or background.

Traralgon Swimming Club aims to be an inclusive swimming club and actively seeks to remove the barriers to learning and participation that can hinder or exclude individuals from participating in the sport of swimming.

We aim to raise awareness by providing a culture where inclusion is embraced by all members of the club, and programs and pathways are provided for all swimmers, irrespective of who they are.

Strategic Vision and Mission
This inclusion policy is underscored by the Vision of the Club which states that:

The Traralgon Swimming Club is committed to

being a professional, committed and welcoming organisation which provides a high level of service to its membership

providing the best swimming coaching, sports science, physical and mental training to ensure our swimmers can attain the highest level of competitive excellence

providing opportunities for swimmers and members to develop and display skills, capacities and values consistent with a winning culture

being financially stable and in a position to support initiatives and equipment requirements through positive relationships with sponsors and active fund raising

provide a safe, nurturing and welcoming environment encouraging teamwork, cooperation and mutual respect for all

provide swimmers with a pathway to elite swimming

Squad Programs/Competition Pathways
Traralgon Swimming Club has an established a relationship with learn to swim programs allowing for seamless development through to squad swimming and high performance training, available for all people in the community.

The club is open and accepting to all swimmers within our club and to all those approaching the club looking to become members. Training is provided through the Traralgon Swimming Club for all members of the community regardless of ability, age or background.

Communication
Traralgon Swimming Club has information readily available for members and potential members about services and access to the club.

A new-families coordinator makes and maintains contact with all new members to ensure they receive all the assistance they need.

Communication from the club is visible and easy to read for all members, and social activities organised by the club are open to all members, including those with a disability and their carers.

Goals
To provide a swimming program that promotes access and inclusion and provides opportunities for participation for all members of the community.

By doing this Traralgon Swimming Club aims to build a sustainable and prosperous future for the club, while supporting the needs of the wider community.