MEMBERS PROTECTION

Your Welfare is important.

Merewether Surf Life Saving Club is committed to the protection, welfare and wellbeing of all its members and is dedicated to providing a safe, fun and enjoyable environment as outlined in the SLSA Member Protection Policy. We take an inclusive approach, ensuring all of our members are treated with respect and dignity and are protected from discrimination, harassment and abuse regardless of gender, age, ability or nationality.

SLS Codes of Conduct for Member Protection

Merewether SLSC  is committed to the safeguarding of children and young people in Surf Life Saving. One way we do this is by ensuring that our members behave in a way which creates a safe, positive and inclusive environment. Surf Life Saving’s Codes of Conduct represent the minimum standards of member behaviour and must be complied with at all times.  There are two Codes of Conduct, both of which can be found in the SLSA Member Protection Policy.

  • The General Code of Conduct: includes expectations relating to respect; ethics; professionalism; complying with SLSA rules, policies and procedures; reporting breaches of the Safeguarding Program; and being a positive role model. 
  • The Code of Conduct for People in Positions of Authority when Dealing with Children or Young People: includes expectations relating to positive guidance; overnight stays; language; adhering to role boundaries; transporting children; use of electronic communication; use of changing rooms; use of photography; physical contact; gift giving; wearing of uniforms; and use of alcohol or drugs.

Members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Codes of Conduct, and to ensure that their behaviour, as well as the behaviour of others within the Club, is appropriate. They are encouraged to say something if they see something that doesn’t feel right, or is not in line with the Codes of Conduct.

Workers Compensation for Volunteer Lifesavers

If you hurt yourself during SLSNSW activities Members are covered by Workers Compensation – SLSNSW for patrolling, club activities and competition

Child Protection in SLS

Merewether SLSC is committed to providing a safe supportive and enjoyable environment for children through the SLSA Safeguarding Children and Young People Program. The program recognises the importance of protecting young people under the age of 18 from abuse, harm and exploitation. It is everyone’s responsibility to treat all children and young members respectfully, and within the child protection laws of Australia (free from any form of abuse).

Resources are available to every club member to establish clear guidelines for appropriate behaviour when engaging with children and young people. To learn more about how you can protect our children and young members, contact Merewether Surf Life Savings Club’s Member Protection Officer Information Officer (MPIO) Tom Lyons or read the Safeguarding Children Handbook.

We encourage all members to undertake the Surf Life Savings Safeguarding Children and young people Awareness Course which can be accessed via the Members Portal.[K1]   Access to the course can be found in Memberships > Courses > Login to ELearning > Training Library > SLS > Safety and Wellbeing (View Courses) > Safeguarding Children and Young People Awareness.

Play by the Rules also offers a free Child Protection Online Course that provides a certificate of completion.

Do you need to report a breach

Contact the Club’s MPIO ( secretary@merewetherslsc.com.au) or follow the guidelines in How to make a Child Protection Related Report

NSW Working with Children Check (WWECC)

The WWCC is managed by the Office of the Children’s Guardian and involves a national criminal history check and review of findings of workplace misconduct.  The result of a WWCC is either a clearance to work with children for five years, or a bar against working with children.  A Check is a prerequisite for anyone in child related work.

To apply for a WWCC use this link Apply for a NSW WWCC.  Provide your WWCC number to our club Registrar seniorsregistrar@merewetherslsc.com.au or juniorsregistrar@merewetherslsc.com.au

All NSW Surf Life Saving Club members and employees (over 18 years of age) require a WWCC if they are undertaking a child related role.  However, there are a number of exemptions to this requirement

  • Children under the age of 18
  • Administrative, clerical, maintenance or ancillary work not ordinarily involving contact with children for extended periods
  • Very short term work: not more than a total of 5 days in a calendar year (eg. parent helpers on a bbq)
  • Volunteering by a parent or close relative with a team, program or other activity* in which their child usually participates or is a team member (the vast majority of our Nipper Age Mangers fall into this category)
  • Co-workers and supervisors where a child works.  (eg. patrolling members in the senior Club fall into this category)

 Any further information and/or assistance relating to our Members Protection Policy please contact our Members Protection Officer via the Club Secretary. secretary@merewetherslsc.com.au