Child Safe Policy

Child Safe Policy

Club Name: Central Coast Bridge Club

London: New South Wales, Australia

Date of Adoption: 9/9/2026

Review Date: 9/9/2027

 

1. Purpose & Commitment

Central Coast Bridge Club is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for young people. This policy outlines our commitment to the NSW Child Safe Standards. It ensures that our voluntary coaching staff, committee members, and general adult membership work together to protect junior players from harm.

2. Volunteer Vetting & Record Keeping

Our club operates with dedicated voluntary staff members for the junior coaching program

  • Mandatory WWCC: All voluntary staff must hold a valid NSW Working with Children Check {WWCC).

  • Verification: The Club Committee must legally verify each volunteer’s WWCC number online via the NSW Office of the Chlldren’s Guardian portal before they begin coaching.

  • Club Register: The club will maintain a secure, confidential register containing:

    • Volunteer full name and date of birth

    • WWCC number and expiry date

    • Date of online verification by the club and the verification outcome

3. Junior Coaching Safety Protocols

To maintain appropriate boundaries and safety during junior coaching sessions, volunteers must adhere to the following rules:

  • The "Two-Adult" Rule: A minimum of two WWCC-cleared adults must always be present during junior coaching sessions. A single volunteer must never be left alone out of sight with a single junior player

  • Physical Environment: Coaching sessions must be held in open, clearly visible areas of the club

  • Appropriate Contact: Coaching interactions must be strictly verbal and educational.  Unnecessary physical contact is prohibited.

  • Pick-up and Drop Off: Parents or guardians must physically sign children in and out of coaching sessions. Volunteers are prohibited from transporting juniors in their personal vehicles unless explicit, written parental consent is provided and another adult is present.

4. Shared Space & Co-Location Protocols

Because junior coaching sessions take place during regular club hours alongside adult players, the following boundaries apply to the playing rooms:

Designated Junior Zone: Junior coaching will be conducted in a distinct, visible zone separate from the main adult playing area.

•        Adult Member Boundaries: General adult members do not require a WWCC to play in the same room. However, they must not invite junior players to private tables, separate rooms, or interact with them outside of public, transparent, bridge-related conversations.

•        Shared Amenities: Junior players accessing shared amenities must use main, open thoroughfares.

•        Bathroom: Junior players must use the separate accessibility bathroom only.

•        Privacy and Media: Adult members are strictly prohibited from taking photographs or videos that include junior players.

5. Parent Communication & Consent

No junior player may participate in club activities without completed documentation from a parent or guardian.

•        Enrolment:: Parents must complete a registration form detailing emergency contacts and medical/allergy information.

•        Media Opt-in:: The club will only take or use photos of junior players for newsletters or promotional materials if the parent has explicitly checked the opt-in                consent box

         

6. Incident Reporting & Mandatory Procedures

The club takes all allegations, disclosures, or suspicions of harm seriously.

  • Club Safety Officer: The committee will appoint a designated Child Safety Officer to handle internal complaints or policy breaches.

  • Immediate Danger: if a child is in immediate danger, staff or members must call the NSW Police on 000.