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Member Protection
At Swanny, we're committed to a safe, respectful and inclusive club where every member feels welcome, valued and supported. Member Protection is how we look after one another.
Every member plays a part — by completing Member Screening, following the Code of Conduct, and helping build a club culture we're proud of: one that keeps children safe, supports each other, and contributes to surf lifesaving's mission of saving lives and building better communities. If you're looking for support our Member Wellbeing Team is there to assist.
ON THIS PAGE:
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Child Safety
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Policies & Resources
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Wellbeing Team
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Code of Conduct
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Member Screening
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Raising a concern
CHILD SAFETY
Swanny is committed to being a child safe club. We provide a safe, fair and inclusive environment for children and young people, and uphold Surf Life Saving Australia's zero-tolerance approach to harm, abuse and neglect in any form.
We listen to young people, support those who may be more vulnerable, and make sure every child can speak up if something isn't right — and keeping them safe is everyone's responsibility.
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Aligned with SLSA Child Safe Policy 6.04 &6.04A
MEMBER SCREENING
The SLSWA Member Screening Policy aligns with the Working With Children Act (WA) to ensure all members are appropriately screened, and Swanny remains a safe and positive environment for children and young people. Child safety is everyone's responsibility.
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All members aged 13+ complete screening when they join or renew. Use the flowchart to find your category, then complete the required step. Most adult volunteers need a current and valid Working With Children (WWC) Check. You may instead be eligible for one of the following exemptions:
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Parenting Exemption Volunteer Declaration - Members with a child who is also a Club Member (e.g. Nipper and Youth parents). Complete the Volunteer Declaration Form through the link when joining and annually. Note: parents attending overnight camps where under-18s are present require a WWC Check.
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Child Volunteer Exemption Volunteer Declaration - Members 13–17 years of age (e.g. Youth Members). Complete the Volunteer Declaration Form through the link when joining and annually.
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Non-Volunteer Member - A member who does not carry out any volunteer or paid duties within the Club (e.g. cannot patrol or help at Nippers). Apply through the Club Administrator when joining.
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The Working With Children Check (WWCC) aims to increase the safety of children in our community by helping to prevent people whose criminal history indicates they may harm children from working or volunteering with them. Checks cost approximately $11 for volunteers when processed through the club. WWC forms can be collected from either your club or Australia Post.Working with Children Check.
MEmber Screening
The SLSWA Member Screening Policy aligns with the Working With Children Act (WA) to ensure all members are appropriately screened, and Swanny remains a safe and positive environment for children and young people. Child Safety is everyone's responsibility.
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All Members aged 13+ complete screening when they join or renew. Use the flowchart to find your category, then complete the required step.
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Aligned with SLSWA Member Screening Policy
Our MEMBER WELLBEING TEAM
Respect - SUPPORT - BELONGing
Looking after each other is part of being a club. Our Member Wellbeing Team is here when you need someone — whether you want a friendly ear, information about your options, or to raise a formal complaint. Three distinct roles, so you can reach the right person for what you need.
"Someone to talk to"
Peer Supporter
"Understand my options"
Member Protection Information Officer
"Raise a Complaint"
Complaints Officer
Member Protection Information Officers (MPIOs)
A confidential first point of contact for information about your rights and options under SLSA Policy 6.05, covering abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination and any innappropriate behaviour. MPIOs explain the process, your options and help you decide next steps confidentially and without judgement. They don't investigate or mediate.
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Rose Blakey-Scholes
Gavin Pascoe
Fiona McClarty
Complaints Officers
Complaint Officers receive and manage complaints in line with the SLSA Complaints Resolution Policy 6.06 & Complaint Handling Guideline Policy 6.06A. They ensure complaints are handled fairly and confidentially. If you're unsure where to start, an MPIO can talk you through the options first.
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Brenton Laws
Matthew Rainbow
N/A
Peer Supporters
Sometimes you just need someone to talk to. Our approachable Peer Supporters offer a confidential and caring ear, and can help connect you with further support. They are here to listen without judgement.​
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Leesa Equid
Graham Sharpe
Peter Weston
RAISING A CONCERN
Concerns can be raised early and informally, or through a formal complaint. If you're unsure where to start, an MPIO can talk you through the options confidentially. There's no single "right" way to raise something. The steps below show the options, from an early informal chat through to a formal complaint. Peer Supporters are also available.
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If safe and appropriate
Resolve early
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Information and confidential options
Talk to an MPIO
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Child Safety -- urgent matters
Any abuse or suspected abuse of a child must be reported. If a child is at immediate risk, call Police on 000 first, then report through the SLS Complaints system.
CODE OF CONDUCT
General
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Act with integrity and objectivity and accept responsibility for your decisions and actions.
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Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a safe, harassment-free environment.
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Swanny is a child and young person safe organisation – act in accordance with SLSA policies and maintain appropriate accreditation.
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Ensure that any physical contact with others is appropriate to the situation and necessary for the person’s skill development.
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Strive to be a positive role model to all.
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Make a commitment to providing quality service. Maintain the required standard of accreditation and/or licensing of professional competencies as applicable.
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Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person, regardless of their age, race, gender, ability, cultural background, sexuality or religion.
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Understand the consequences of any breach of SLSA’s Member Protection Policy or Codes of Conduct.
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Surf Sports
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Act within the rules and spirit of surf lifesaving.
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Provide a safe environment for training and competition.
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Demonstrate good sportsmanship.
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Encourage each person to reach their potential.
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Use facilities and equipment for their proper purposes and care for and maintain such facilities and equipment correctly.
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Reward effort and excellence.
More detail on appropriate behaviours and Member Code of Conduct can be found in SLSA Policy 6.04 Child Safe and Policy 6.05 Member Protection.
Swanbourne Nedlands SLSC commits to ensuring the health, safety and well being of all Members and is dedicated to providing a safe environment for those participating in Surf Lifesaving (SLS). The Club aims to uphold SLSA’s core values and create a safe, fair and inclusive environment, pursuant to SLSA Member Protection Policy 6.05.
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Each Member makes a commitment to actively encourage behaviours that promote a supportive and nurturing environment and contribute to SLSA’s mission of saving lives, creating great Australians and building better communities.
CHILD SAFETY
Swanny provides a safe, fair and inclusive environment for children and young people, and upholds Surf Life Saving Australia's zero-tolerance approach to harm, abuse or neglect in any form.
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Aligned with SLSA Child Safe Policy 6.04 &6.04A
All Club Members are required to uphold the SLSA Child Safe Policy 6.04 and Child Safe Commitment 6.04A.
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Pursuant to SLSA Child Safe Policy 6.04, Everyone in SLS, from Board to Executives to Staff and Volunteers, is responsible to:
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protect CYP from all forms of abuse, bullying and exploitation by our people;
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be alert to incidents of CYP abuse and neglect occurring outside of SLS that may have an impact on the CYP involved in our programs and activities;
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provide CYP with information, support and reporting processes; and
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create and maintain a child safe culture that is understood, endorsed and put into action by all the individuals who work for, volunteer, or access our programs and services.​​
WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK
Pursuant to SLSA Member Protection Policy 6.05, subject to relevant legislation and rules, Swanbourne Nedlands SLSC requires that all employees, board members and volunteers, have a satisfactory Working With Children Check (“WWCC”) in the appropriate jurisdiction in which they spend the majority of their working time. In addition, at the discretion of the relevant SLS Entity, applicants may be required to satisfy a number of background checks, at the commencement of, and in some cases during, the term of their role.
MEMBER PROTECTION TEAM
The SNSLSC Member Protection Team consists of two Member Protection Information Officers (MPIOs) and two Complaints Officers. The Team is very approachable around the Club, but can also be contacted via email.
MPIOs
An MPIO is responsible for the provision of information about a person’s rights, responsibilities and options when an individual is making a complaint or concern. MPIOs are impartial; they do not mediate or investigate complaints, they simply provide information regarding the complaints process.​
Rose Blakey-Scholes
Philip Cave
COMPLaints
A Complaints Officer (CO) is responsible for managing any complaint submitted to their Club in line with the SLSA Complaints Resolution Policy 6.06. The Complaints Officer provides a timely response to Member complaints.
Justin Owens
Jen White
