Member Protection & Child Safety

Member Protection & Child Safety

Our Commitment to Member Protection

At Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Life Saving Club, we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all members, volunteers and visitors. The safety, wellbeing and protection of our members is a priority, and we are dedicated to fostering a positive club culture where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

Our Club operates in accordance with Surf Life Saving Australia’s policies, including:

• Member Protection Policy
• Child Safe Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Social Media Policy
• Member Protection Code of Conduct

All members are expected to uphold these standards and contribute to a safe and supportive club environment.

Member Protection Contacts

Our Club is committed to supporting members who may have concerns about their safety, wellbeing or treatment within the Club. Our Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) provides information and guidance to members about their rights and responsibilities, and the options available for raising or resolving concerns.

Members can contact the following Club representatives for assistance:
Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO): Debbie Booth.

Raising a Concern or Complaint

We encourage members to speak up if they experience or witness behaviour that is inappropriate, unsafe or inconsistent with our Club’s values. Our Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) can provide information and guidance about available options for raising concerns or resolving grievances.

We understand that members may sometimes feel uncomfortable raising concerns within the Club, particularly where a potential conflict of interest exists. In these circumstances, members can seek guidance from a Member Protection Information Officer at another Surf Life Saving club or branch.

Formal complaints can be submitted through the Surf Life Saving Australia online complaints portal: Submit a Complaint – SLSA

Complaints are managed in accordance with Surf Life Saving Australia’s complaints resolution processes.

Child Safety

Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Life Saving Club is committed to providing a safe, supportive and positive environment for all children and young people participating in our activities. From Nippers through to our junior lifesaving programs, we want every child to feel safe, respected, included and supported.

All members, volunteers and associated parties are expected to follow the SLSA Child Safe Policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct.

Our Child Safe Commitment

Our Club is committed to protecting children and young people and promoting a culture where their safety and wellbeing are always a priority. Each season, our Club Executive reviews and signs our Child Safe Commitment Statement, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all children and young people.

Child Safe Awareness Training

All members are encouraged to complete the SLSA Child Safe Awareness online course, which provides guidance on recognising and reporting child safety concerns and maintaining safe environments. Completion of this training is mandatory for certain Club roles, in accordance with Surf Life Saving NSW requirements.

The course is available through the eLearning section of the SLS Hub, under Safety and Wellbeing.

Working with Children Checks

Members and volunteers undertaking child-related roles may be required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC), in accordance with NSW legislation and Surf Life Saving NSW requirements. Where required, WWCC details must be provided to the Club for verification with the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian before undertaking relevant child-related duties.

Some roles and circumstances may be exempt.

For current information, please refer to the Surf Life Saving NSW Working with Children Check Requirements.