Child Safety & Wellbeing
Register Your Working With Children Check
We require all coaches, team manager, key volunteers, committee members and the like to hold a current WWCC and have the WJFNC registered to their card - Click HERE to link your card now.
Our Commitment to Child Safety
Introduction
The Woodend Junior Football Netball Club (WJFNC) is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, supportive and enjoyable environment for all children and young people involved in our club.
Child safety and wellbeing is at the centre of everything we do. We have zero tolerance for child abuse, harm, neglect or any behaviour that places a child or young person at risk.
We are dedicated to ensuring every child feels safe, respected, valued and able to participate fully in football and netball at our club.
Our Child Safe Culture
WJFNC is proud to promote a strong child safe culture where:
Children and young people are treated with dignity and respect
Their voices are heard and taken seriously
Safety is everyone’s responsibility
Families feel confident that the club puts wellbeing first
Volunteers, coaches and officials understand their obligations
We believe sport should provide positive experiences that build confidence, friendships, resilience and belonging.
Zero Tolerance of Child Abuse
WJFNC has zero tolerance for any form of child abuse or misconduct.
This includes:
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Emotional or psychological abuse
Neglect
Grooming behaviours
Bullying, harassment or discrimination
We take all concerns seriously and respond promptly in line with our legal and moral responsibilities.
Victorian Child Safe Standards
Our club is committed to meeting the Victorian Child Safe Standards and creating an environment that protects children from harm and promotes their wellbeing.
These standards guide how we:
Recruit and screen volunteers
Set expectations for behaviour
Provide safe programs and environments
Support children and families to speak up
Respond to complaints and concerns
Codes of Conduct and Expected Behaviour
All members of the Woodend Junior Football Netball Club community, including coaches, players, parents, carers, officials and volunteers are expected to uphold high standards of behaviour.
We promote a culture of respect, where:
Children are supported and encouraged
Coaching is positive, appropriate and development-focused
Boundaries between adults and children are maintained
Disrespectful, unsafe or inappropriate behaviour is not tolerated
Our Codes of Conduct outline the responsibilities and expectations of everyone involved in the club.
Screening and Volunteer Requirements
WJFNC is committed to ensuring that all adults involved in junior sport understand their responsibilities and are suitable to work with children.
We require that:
Coaches and key volunteers hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC)
Volunteers understand child safety expectations
Club leaders support ongoing education and awareness
Child safety is a shared responsibility, and we work to ensure all adults involved in the club understand how to create safe environments for children.
Empowering Children and Young People
We believe children have the right to feel safe and to be heard.
WJFNC is committed to ensuring children and young people:
Know they are valued members of the club
Feel comfortable raising concerns
Are treated fairly and respectfully
Participate in sport free from bullying or intimidation
We encourage children to speak to a trusted adult if something does not feel right.
Inclusion and Cultural Safety
Woodend Junior Football Netball Club is committed to being an inclusive club where everyone belongs.
We actively promote safety and respect for all children and families, including:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
Children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Children with disability
Children of all genders and identities
We are committed to ensuring every child experiences sport in a culturally safe, welcoming and supportive environment.
Responding to Concerns or Complaints
WJFNC takes all child safety concerns seriously.
If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person, we encourage you to speak up.
You can raise concerns by:
Speaking with your coach or team manager
Contacting a club committee member
Contacting the club’s nominated Child Safety Officer
Emailing the club directly at: president@woodendhawks.com.au
All concerns will be handled respectfully, confidentially and in line with our child safety procedures.
Where required, the club will report matters to the relevant authorities.
Our Ongoing Commitment
Child safety is not a one-time policy, it is an ongoing commitment.
WJFNC is dedicated to:
Regularly reviewing our policies and practices
Supporting coaches and volunteers to meet child safe expectations
Maintaining a culture where children are protected and empowered
Working with families and the community to strengthen safety
Key Child Safety Documents
The following documents are available to all members of our club community:
Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
Code of Conduct (Coaches, Volunteers, Parents and Players)
Complaints and Reporting Procedure
Closing Statement
At Woodend Junior Football Netball Club, every child deserves to feel safe, supported and included.
We thank all families, volunteers and community members for helping us create a club where junior sport is positive, respectful and safe for all.
Understanding the Standards
The 11 Child Safe Standards are listed below. Organisations who are required to comply with the Standards need to implement all aspects of the 11 Standards.
Each of the Standards is expressed as a statement of an expected outcome that organisations must achieve. The Standards also include minimum requirements, to provide more clarity for your organisation about what you need to do.
For each Standard, we have provided a list of documents and actions that will show that your organisation is meeting these minimum requirements. We call these compliance indicators.
The 11 Child Safe Standards
Click on the links below to see the minimum requirements, compliance indicators, a short video and relevant resources for each Standard.
Standard 1
Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 1
Standard 2
Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 2
Standard 3
Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 3
Standard 4
Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 4
Standard 5
Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 5
Standard 6
People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 6
Standard 7
Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 7
Standard 8
Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 8
Standard 9
Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 9
Standard 10
Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 10
Standard 11
Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.