CHILD SAFETY
Blackburn Vikings prioritises child welfare and safety — creating environments where children, as well as our staff and volunteers feel safe, happy, empowered and respected.
Our Commitment
Our Association is committed to child safety
We want children to be safe, happy and empowered. We support and respect all children, as well as our staff and volunteers.
We are committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of children, ensuring they know their rights in relation to participation and safety, and hearing directly from them in relation to club related matters.
We have zero tolerance of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously, consistently and confidentially with our robust policies and procedures.
We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously.
Our Association is committed to providing safe physical and virtual environments.
Our Association is committed to preventing child abuse by identifying risks early, and removing and reducing these risks.
Our Association has robust human resource and recruitment practices for all staff and volunteers.
Our Association is committed to regularly training and educating our staff and volunteers on child abuse risks.
We have specific policies, procedures and training in place that support our leadership team, staff and volunteers to achieve these commitments.
We support inclusion and participation of all children. We respect and value the cultural rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with a disability and children who identify with the LGBTIQ community.
Blackburn Vikings’ Child Safe Policy is the foundation of our child safe environment. It’s purpose is to ensure everyone associated with the BVBA community is aware of our commitment and obligation to child safety .
Child Safe Policy
The BVBA Child Safe Policy should be read in conjunction with the Basketball Victoria Child Safeguarding Policy, the Basketball Victoria Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct and the Basketball Australia Child Safeguarding Policy.
Reporting Concerns
It is a requirement that all adult coaches, team managers, officials, staff and volunteers working with children under the age of 18 provide a current Working With Children Check (WWCC), that is linked to Blackburn Vikings Basketball Association, and a Member Protection Declaration. You can find further information regarding the Working With Children Check.
Working with Children Check and Member Protection Declaration
Child Safety Officer
Our Child Safety Officer, John, can be contacted at cso@blackburnvikings.com. All matters will be dealt with in confidence.
Reporting Concerns
BVBA’s Child Safe Reporting Process outlines precise steps for handling and reporting child safety concerns including child abuse.
The Child Safe Incident Form is to be used for all child safety concerns, including any allegation of child abuse.
If a child faces immediate danger, call 000.
The Member Protection Information Officer is the first point of contact at a sporting organisation for any individual making a complaint or raising a concern. MPIOs listen to issues raised and advise of the process to find a resolution. Our MPIO, Leanne, can be contacted at mpio@blackburnvikings.com