Member Protection
Dee Why SLSC is committed to the protection, welfare and well-being of all members and is dedicated to providing a positive and safe environment in line with the SLSA Member Protection Policy and SLSA Child Safe Policy.
We take an inclusive approach, dedicated to being open to all members of the Australian community and providing a safe environment, ensuring all members are treated with respect and dignity and are protected from discrimination, harassment and abuse.
Our aim is to create a safe and nurturing environment for all members participating in surf lifesaving by following the
SLSA Policy Member Protection Code of Conduct.
Member Protection Team
Our club has a group of dedicated volunteers who look after member protection practices and issues.
These include a Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO), Complaints Manager and Child Safe Coordinator.
MPIO: Allen Lakeman – mpio@dyslsc.org.au
Complaints Manager: VACANT – complaints@dyslsc.org.au
Child Safe Coordinator: Sally Hall – childsafe.officer@dyslsc.org.au
Complaint Management
MPIO is available to provide information to members who may have an issue or grievance at the club.
The MPIO may be a first point of contact for any member wishing to raise a concern.
To contact the MPIO, please email mpio@dyslsc.org.au to arrange a call back.
After contacting the MPIO, should a member wish to proceed with a formal complaint, this can be lodged via the online complaints portal: https://complaints.sls.com.au/
All formal complaints are handled by a Complaints Manager, who will take action to resolve complaints after they are lodged via the portal.
We understand that in a community organisation where everyone knows each other, conflicts of interest can arise. We want members to feel they are able to raise any concerns they have, and if there is a conflict of interest and members would prefer to speak to someone else within the club regarding their concern, please email president@dyslsc.org.au.
Alternatively, you can contact the MPIO at your branch or any SLS MPIO.
Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club - child Safe Program
We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and enjoyable environment for children through the SLSA Child Safe Program. The Child Safe Program is a comprehensive framework that support clubs to implement actions and meet evidence-based best practice standards of safeguarding. It’s a commitment to keeping the Children and Young People (CYP) in its care safe and feeling safe. It recognises the importance of protecting young people under the age of 18 from abuse, harm and exploitation. It is everyone’s responsibility to treat all children and young members respectfully and within the child protection laws of Australia.
Find out more here SLS NSW Child Safe Program
SLSA has developed their child safe policy to assist in identifying and preventing behaviour that may be harmful to CYP.
To find out more about the policy click here SLS Australia Child Safe Policy
As part of Dee Why SLSC commitment, we share the SLSA handbook with members to understand SLS’s Child Safe Program and display child safe behaviours. Dee Why SLSC use this resource to highlight clear guidelines for appropriate behaviour when engaging with CYP and ensure they are familiar with the SLSA list of DO’s & DON’TS.
To learn more about how you can protect CYP, please read SLSA Child Safe Handbook
Working with children check
As a club we comply with SLSA guidelines on child related roles requiring a WWCC. In order to ensure the safety of all our members we, as a Club, require MPIO / Complaints Mgr / Child Safe Coordinator / Junior Activity Chair / Youth Program Helper / Age Managers / Age Assistants / Nippers Water Safety to have a valid WWCC number, without exception. Then, if you hold the position of Coach / Sweep / Trainer / Assessor / facilitator / Community Ed Instructor / Officials or event assistants volunteer in this capacity for > 5 days per calendar year.
To apply for a WWCC please visit the following website NSW Working with Children Check
Child Safe Awareness eLearning
As part of the Dee Why SLSC commitment to Child Safety we endorse the Child Safe Awareness eLearning Course by SLSA for our volunteers.
Access to the eLearning course is via the SLSA Hub
Engaging & Communicating with our child and young people
Here at Dee Why SLSC we know that organisations that engage children in communication and decision-making on a regular basis are more likely to encourage a culture where children and young people feel comfortable, have a sense of belonging and are more likely to express themselves if things don’t feel right. We will promote child safe initiatives and updates to build a positive club culture towards children and young people, and at the same time will assist in deterring any negative, or potentially negative behaviours.
Responding to child safe concerns, complaints or grievance
All members have a responsibility to speak up if they become aware of or observe something considered inappropriate. Please contact Club immediately or follow the guidelines below.
Child Safe Complaint / Grievance
All reports submitted will be treated in confidence and with the utmost respect for all those involved.
It is the club’s responsibility to address complaints, reports or disclosures brought to your attention regarding the health, welfare and safety of all those involved with SLS. Dee Why SLSC will report concerns, complaints and grievances and proactively assist SLS in investigating and responding to reports of inappropriate behaviour.
Play by the rules
If you are interested in further child safe awareness and course then Play by the rules also offer a free child protection online course that provides a certificate of completion. This free, interactive online training course is suitable for coaches, administrators, officials, players, parents and spectators. In this course you will learn:
-the importance of safeguarding in sport
-definitions of abuse
-your rights and responsibilities
-when, where and how to report incidents
-how to establish a welcoming and inclusive environment at your club or organisation.
The course is short, user-friendly and features the latest interactive technology, including case studies, practical scenarios and a quiz. Please click here for more details.