There’s a lot more to running a swimming club than meets the eye. It is necessary to make sure the pool is hired for training, club night entries are taken, and membership fees are paid, but there are larger processes at work when a club is running well.
Governance refers to the systems we have in place at Oak Flats SC that control how it is run. This includes our club constitution, rules and by-laws, policies and procedures, risk management, and WHS to name a few. Governance also encompasses long and short term planning, member welfare, and legal/regulatory compliance.
Club Code of Conduct
All members and their families are asked to be familiar with the Code of Conduct of Oak Flats Swimming Club. The attitude and behaviour of swimmers and their families when with the Club is expected to be exemplary
Club Constitution
Our Club Constitution sets out the administration structure of the club as well as member’s rights and liabilities. The constitution sets out the purposes of the club and all of the rules under which we propose to operate. The club organisation reflects the way in which the constitution is written.
The constitution defines the rights and duties of individual members and committee members who are elected to run the club on a day to day basis.
All meetings, swim meets, elections and matters pertaining to the club is dealt with in accordance with the clauses of our club constitution. All club matters can usually be solved by referring to the club constitution.
By Laws
By-Laws are other day to day rules of your club that are able to be changed at any club committee meeting.
Member Protection Policy
BACKGROUND & IMPLEMENTATION DOCUMENTS
The ten Child Safe Standards provide a framework for creating child safe organisations. They are designed to drive cultural change to create, maintain and improve child safe practices. When organisations implement the Standards, they build a culture where abuse of children is prevented, responded to and reported.
The Standards are based on the extensive research and consultation by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. They provide clear guidance for organisations to create cultures, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children first to keep them safe from harm.
Sport Integrity Australia’s Child Safeguarding Policy has been developed to set clear standards of behaviour expected of those involved in sport when providing programs and services to children, as well as the behaviours that are not acceptable (Prohibited Conduct).
The policy is underpinned by the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (National Principles) and has been reviewed and endorsed by the National Office for Child Safety.
Our Club has started the process of implementing the Child Safe Standards. If you have any questions or comments regarding Child safety, please contact our Member Protection Information Officer
MPIO:
Ms Sue Worthington via email smworthington75@gmail.com
SWIMMING AUSTRALIA NATIONAL INTEGRITY FRAMEWORK (NIF)
Swimming Australia’s National Integrity Framework applies to all Activities organised or authorised by Swimming Australia or a Member Organisations. Swimming Australia and its Member Organisations remain fully committed to the protection of children, young people and our members in our sport and encourage all member associations and clubs throughout Australia to familiarise themselves with the policies and to raise the issue of child safety to everyone involved in swimming clubs.
Swimming Australia NIF consists of six documents:
- Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy
- Competition Manipulation and Sport Wagering Policy
- Member Protection Policy
- Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy
- Swimming Australia National Integrity Framework
- Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
- Code of Conduct
SAFE SPORT FRAMEWORK
The Safe Sport Framework (SSF) was replaced from the 15th June 2022 by the Swimming Australia’s National Integrity Framework
REPORTING & COMPLAINTS
In accordance with the National Office for Child Safety, Oak Flats Swimming Club has processes to respond to complaints and concerns that are child-focused and uphold the rights of children and young people.
Complaints affecting children and young people will be properly investigated, taken seriously, and their rights safeguarded throughout the investigation process. These investigations are planned, fair, proportionate and thorough, with findings supported by the available evidence.
If you have a complaint or a concern that is child-focused, please email or contact one of our MPIO’s – click on the following link for more information on how to report and follow our Child Safety Reporting Process
You can use this form to report > OFSC Complaints_Compliments_Feedback Form
Oak Flats Swimming Club will maintain a record of each complaint received > OFSC Record of Complaint Form
Oak Flats Swimming Club has a Member Protection Policy in effect which all members must comply with at all times.
If you are concerned that a child or young person may be at risk of significant harm, please contact the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111
CONTINUAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING
There are numerous free online training resources to assist our members with continual education and training:
IMPORTANT LINKS
Office of the Children’s Guardian
Swim Aus NIF Child Safe Guarding Policy