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Child Safety & Member Protection

Child Safety Policy & Code of Conduct

The club's 2018 child-safety framework, reporting expectations and conduct standards.

Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy & Code of Conduct

Status: Draft for Committee approval
Version: September 2026
Policy owner: Peninsula Strikers Football Club Committee
Next review: September 2027, or earlier following a serious incident or a change to legislation, regulation or football policy

Peninsula Strikers Football Club is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for every child and young person who takes part in our club.

We have zero tolerance for child abuse, grooming, neglect, discrimination, bullying or any other behaviour that places a child at risk. The safety and best interests of children come before competitive results, reputational concerns and the interests of adults.

This policy applies across the whole club, including senior, youth and junior football, training, matches, events, camps, travel, change rooms, club facilities, online communication and social media.

If a child may be in danger

  • Immediate danger, urgent police attendance or a crime in progress: call Triple Zero (000).

  • Child abuse or suspected criminal conduct: contact Victoria Police. For a non-urgent matter, contact a local police station or call 131 444.

  • A child at risk of significant harm from abuse or neglect: contact Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Child Protection. For Frankston and surrounding areas, call the South Division on 1300 555 526 during business hours. After hours, call 13 12 78.

  • A club-related concern: contact the Club Child Safety Officer using the details published on the club website. If the concern involves that person, contact the Club President or another Committee member.

  • Football Victoria safeguarding or member-protection guidance: email MPIO@footballvictoria.com.au.

Reporting something to the club does not replace a person's obligation to report directly to police, Child Protection or another authority. If in doubt, prioritise the child's safety and seek advice promptly.

1. Purpose

This policy explains how Peninsula Strikers will:

  • promote the safety, participation and wellbeing of children and young people;

  • prevent child abuse and reduce risks in physical and online environments;

  • support children to understand their rights and raise concerns;

  • recruit, screen, train and support suitable staff and volunteers;

  • respond to disclosures, complaints, allegations and suspected harm;

  • meet applicable legal and football-governance obligations; and

  • review and improve our child-safe practices.

2. Who this policy applies to

This policy and the Code of Conduct apply to everyone involved with the club, including:

  • Committee members and office holders;

  • employees, contractors and consultants;

  • coaches, assistant coaches, team managers, technical staff and match officials;

  • volunteers, including parents and carers who volunteer;

  • registered and unregistered players;

  • parents, carers, spectators, visitors and guests; and

  • any other person participating in, delivering or attending a club activity.

For this policy, a child or young person is anyone under 18 years of age.

Breaches may result in protective action, suspension, removal from duties or club activities, disciplinary action, referral under applicable Football Victoria or Football Australia rules, and/or a report to an external authority.

3. Our child-safety framework

The club will comply with the current:

The 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards require organisations to:

  1. establish a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal children and young people;

  2. embed child safety and wellbeing in leadership, governance and culture;

  3. empower children and young people about their rights and take them seriously;

  4. inform and involve families and communities;

  5. uphold equity and respect diverse needs;

  6. engage suitable people and support them to uphold child-safe values;

  7. maintain child-focused complaint processes;

  8. provide staff and volunteers with ongoing child-safety knowledge and training;

  9. make physical and online environments safe;

  10. regularly review and improve child-safe practices; and

  11. document how the organisation keeps children and young people safe.

4. Our child-safety commitments

Peninsula Strikers will:

  • listen to children and take their views, concerns and complaints seriously;

  • explain children's rights and reporting options in clear, age-appropriate language;

  • involve families and the club community in promoting child safety;

  • create a culturally safe environment in which Aboriginal children, young people and families are respected and their identities are valued;

  • respect and support children of every background, culture, language, faith, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and ability;

  • pay particular attention to children who may face increased barriers to speaking up or obtaining support;

  • make reasonable adjustments so children with disability can participate safely and meaningfully;

  • identify and manage child-safety risks in club facilities, activities, travel and online spaces;

  • support people who raise genuine concerns and prohibit retaliation or victimisation; and

  • keep improving our policies, training and practices through consultation, incident review and regular governance oversight.

5. Responsibilities

The Committee

The Committee is accountable for the club's child-safe culture and will:

  • approve, implement and review this policy and related procedures;

  • appoint at least one trained Child Safety Officer and publish current contact details;

  • ensure child-safety risks are identified, recorded and controlled;

  • ensure required screening, induction, training and supervision take place;

  • provide child-friendly and accessible ways to make a complaint;

  • respond promptly and fairly to concerns while placing safety first;

  • ensure required reports are made to external authorities and football governing bodies; and

  • maintain secure and accurate records.

Child Safety Officer

The Child Safety Officer is a first point of contact for children, families, staff and volunteers. The officer will listen, explain options, help a person make a report, escalate concerns and maintain appropriate records.

The Child Safety Officer is not a substitute for police, Child Protection or emergency services and must not investigate suspected criminal conduct.

Everyone at the club

Every person covered by this policy must:

  • follow this policy and the Code of Conduct;

  • act when they see, hear about or reasonably suspect harm;

  • place immediate safety ahead of uncertainty about whether an allegation can be proven;

  • cooperate with lawful directions and authorised investigations; and

  • protect privacy by sharing information only with people who need it to keep a child safe, respond fairly or comply with the law.

6. Safe recruitment, screening and support

The club will use child-safe recruitment practices for roles involving children. Depending on the role, this may include written applications, interviews, identity checks, reference checks, qualification checks and questions about the applicant's approach to child safety.

All coaches, managers, technical directors, referees, paid workers and volunteers who work with children must hold and provide evidence of a current Working with Children Clearance where required by law or Football Victoria policy. This includes volunteer parents coaching or managing their own child's team where Football Victoria requires a clearance.

The club will verify clearances through the official system, record the verification, link the club to the clearance where required, monitor expiry dates and act immediately if a clearance is suspended, revoked or otherwise becomes invalid. Any exemption must be current, permitted and documented.

A Working with Children Check is only one safeguard. It does not replace careful recruitment, supervision, training, risk management or appropriate conduct.

Before starting their role, relevant staff and volunteers must receive an induction covering this policy, the Code of Conduct, reporting pathways, information sharing, record keeping and online safety. Refresher training will be provided regularly.

7. Recognising child abuse and harm

Child abuse and harm can occur in person or online and may involve:

  • physical violence or abuse;

  • sexual abuse, sexual misconduct or exploitation;

  • grooming of a child or of an adult who cares for, supervises or has authority over a child;

  • emotional or psychological abuse;

  • neglect;

  • family violence;

  • bullying, harassment, discrimination or vilification;

  • harmful sexual behaviour between children;

  • unsafe online contact, cyberbullying, sextortion or image-based abuse; or

  • conduct that places a child at an unreasonable risk of harm.

A concern may arise from a child's disclosure, another person's report, observed behaviour, injuries, changes in a child's presentation, inappropriate adult conduct or a pattern of smaller warning signs. Proof is not required before raising a concern or seeking advice.

8. Responding to a disclosure or concern

If a child discloses harm or abuse:

  1. Listen calmly. Give the child time and allow them to use their own words.

  2. Take them seriously. Thank them for telling you and explain that the harm is not their fault.

  3. Do not investigate. Ask only open questions needed to understand immediate safety, such as “What happened next?” Do not interrogate, suggest answers or repeatedly ask the child to retell the account.

  4. Do not promise secrecy. Explain that you will only tell people who need to help keep them safe.

  5. Make the child safe. Call 000 if anyone is in immediate danger or urgent police attendance is needed.

  6. Report promptly. Contact Victoria Police and/or DFFH Child Protection when appropriate. Also notify the Club Child Safety Officer unless that person is involved in the concern.

  7. Record the facts. As soon as possible, write down the date, time, place, people present, observations, actions taken and the child's exact words as closely as possible. Distinguish facts from opinions.

  8. Protect privacy and evidence. Do not confront the person who is the subject of the allegation, conduct your own inquiries, circulate details or delete relevant messages or records.

  9. Continue support. Help the child and family access appropriate support, taking care not to alert a parent or carer if doing so could increase risk or conflict with advice from police or Child Protection.

9. Reporting obligations

The club encourages reports whenever someone is worried about a child's safety or wellbeing. A person does not need certainty or proof to ask for help or make a report.

Reporting to Victoria Police

Call 000 when there is immediate danger, urgent risk or a crime in progress. Other recent or historical child abuse can be reported to a local police station. Victoria Police may refer the matter to a Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT).

Under Victoria's failure to disclose laws, adults must report to Victoria Police if they have a reasonable belief that an adult has committed a sexual offence against a child under 16 in Victoria, unless a lawful exception or reasonable excuse applies.

Reporting to DFFH Child Protection

Contact DFFH Child Protection when there is a reasonable belief that a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant harm from abuse or neglect and a parent or carer has not protected, or is unlikely to protect, the child.

Certain professions are mandatory reporters under Victorian law. A person who is a mandatory reporter must make their own report when the legal threshold is met. Reporting internally or assuming someone else has reported does not necessarily satisfy that duty.

Failure to protect

A person in a position of authority at the club who knows of a substantial risk that an adult associated with the club may commit a sexual offence against a child under 16 must take all reasonable steps within their power to remove or reduce that risk.

Reports to football and regulatory bodies

The club will notify Football Victoria, Football Australia, the Social Services Regulator or another regulator when required by an applicable policy or law. Concerns about the club's compliance with the Child Safe Standards may be raised with the Social Services Regulator on 1300 310 778 or at contact@ssr.vic.gov.au.

10. Allegations involving a club worker or volunteer

When an allegation concerns a Committee member, employee, contractor, coach, team manager, volunteer or another person engaged by the club, the club will:

  • act immediately to protect children from further risk;

  • promptly report suspected criminal conduct and other matters requiring external notification;

  • consider standing the person aside from all child-related duties while the matter is assessed, without prejudging the outcome;

  • preserve records and potential evidence;

  • avoid any internal investigation until Victoria Police confirms that doing so will not interfere with a police investigation;

  • use an appropriately skilled and independent investigator where a formal club investigation is required;

  • provide procedural fairness to affected people while keeping child safety paramount;

  • limit information to those who need it and prohibit retaliation;

  • provide appropriate support to the child, family, reporter and others affected; and

  • document decisions, actions and outcomes.

If the allegation concerns the Child Safety Officer or Club President, it must be reported to another Committee office holder and directly to any relevant external authority.

11. Child-focused complaints

A child or young person can raise a concern with any trusted adult at the club. They do not need to use formal language, put the complaint in writing or speak directly to the Child Safety Officer.

Adults receiving a complaint must listen respectfully, explain what will happen next and act promptly. The child's age, communication needs, cultural background, disability, identity and preferred support person must be considered.

No person will be penalised, excluded or treated unfairly for making a genuine complaint or participating in a child-safety process.

12. Risk management in club environments

The club will assess and manage risks associated with:

  • training, matches, tournaments, camps, tours and overnight stays;

  • change rooms, toilets, medical treatment and other higher-risk spaces;

  • one-to-one coaching or meetings;

  • transport and off-site activities;

  • photography, video, livestreaming and player information;

  • social media, team chats, direct messages and other digital platforms;

  • contractors, visitors, shared facilities and third-party providers; and

  • alcohol, drugs, celebrations and adult-only activities occurring near children.

Risk controls must be practical, documented, communicated and reviewed after incidents or material changes to activities.

13. Privacy, information sharing and records

Child-safety information will be handled sensitively and shared only as authorised or required to protect a child, comply with the law, obtain professional advice or provide procedural fairness.

Privacy must never be used as a reason not to report a safety concern to an appropriate authority.

The club will keep secure records of concerns, disclosures, reports, risk assessments, decisions and actions. Records must be factual, dated, access-controlled and retained in accordance with legal and governance requirements.

14. Review and continuous improvement

The Committee will review this policy at least annually and after any serious incident, identified system failure or relevant change to law or football policy.

Reviews will consider feedback from children, families, coaches, volunteers and the wider club community. The club will communicate material improvements and provide updated training where required.

Child Safety Code of Conduct

This Code sets the minimum behaviour expected of every adult and young person involved with Peninsula Strikers. Behaviour must also comply with applicable Football Victoria and Football Australia rules.

Expected behaviour

Everyone covered by this Code must:

  • put children's safety and wellbeing first;

  • treat children fairly, respectfully and without discrimination;

  • listen to children and take their views and concerns seriously;

  • promote the cultural safety, participation and identity of Aboriginal children and young people;

  • support children with disability and children from diverse cultural, linguistic, religious, sex, sexuality and gender backgrounds;

  • use calm, positive and age-appropriate language and coaching methods;

  • maintain clear professional boundaries;

  • use physical contact only when it is necessary, appropriate to the activity, explained beforehand where practicable and respectful of the child's comfort and consent;

  • conduct one-to-one conversations in an open or observable environment wherever possible;

  • use club-approved communication channels and include a parent, carer or another authorised adult in direct communications with children where practicable;

  • obtain and respect required consent for photography, video, livestreaming, transport, treatment and off-site activities;

  • follow club requirements for change rooms, travel, overnight stays, online communication and supervision;

  • act immediately on disclosures, suspected harm, boundary breaches and unsafe behaviour; and

  • cooperate with child-safety processes and lawful investigations.

Prohibited behaviour

No person may:

  • ignore, dismiss, conceal or discourage a child-safety concern or report;

  • engage in child abuse, grooming, sexual conduct, sexualised behaviour or sexual communication involving a child;

  • use physical punishment, violence, threats, humiliation, intimidation or degrading treatment;

  • bully, harass, discriminate against or vilify a child;

  • make sexual, racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or otherwise degrading comments or jokes;

  • develop or encourage an inappropriate, secretive or dependent relationship with a child;

  • contact a child privately through personal or disappearing-message accounts without a legitimate club purpose and appropriate adult visibility;

  • exchange personal contact details with a child except for an approved club purpose and with appropriate parent, carer or club knowledge;

  • photograph, film, livestream or publish information about a child without required consent or in a private, degrading or unsafe context;

  • be alone with a child in a closed or unobservable space without an unavoidable and properly managed reason;

  • enter or use a change room or shower area in a way that compromises a child's privacy or safety;

  • transport a child, take a child home or arrange an off-site or overnight meeting without proper authorisation, consent and safeguards;

  • supply a child with alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, vaping products or other prohibited substances;

  • consume alcohol or drugs, or be impaired, while responsible for supervising children;

  • possess or expose a child to sexual, violent or otherwise inappropriate material;

  • ask a child to keep a relationship, communication, gift, activity or incident secret from their parent, carer or the club; or

  • retaliate against anyone who raises a concern or participates in a complaint or investigation.

For participants under 18, the club will apply this Code in an age-appropriate way. Harmful behaviour between children will still be taken seriously and addressed through a child-focused, proportionate response that considers the safety and needs of every child involved.

Breaches of this Code

Suspected breaches must be reported promptly to the Club Child Safety Officer or another Committee member. Serious or potentially criminal conduct must also be reported to the appropriate external authority.

The club may take immediate protective action and may impose disciplinary outcomes consistent with its rules, applicable football regulations, procedural fairness and the paramount importance of child safety.

Key contacts and resources

About this resource

Category: Child Safety & Member Protection
Intended for: Players, parents, carers, coaches, volunteers, staff, officials and visitors
Version: September 2026
Page format: Accessible HTML web page

Internal review item before publication

Insert and verify the current Club Child Safety Officer's name, phone number and monitored email address. Confirm Committee approval and the effective date before changing the CMS status from Review to Published.