Support, resources and information to creating safe club environments.
Integrity is the basis of sport's reputation for fair and ethical behaviour. The department acknowledges that industry leadership is essential to retain community confidence that sport in Western Australia is being played in a safe, fair and ethical way.
The incidence of integrity issues across areas such as sports betting, child safety, drugs (performance and image enhancing drugs, illicit drugs and alcohol), concussion, corruption, violence and inappropriate behaviour threatens the positive reputation and image of sport and recreation.
It’s important to proactively develop responses to safeguard the integrity and values which makes sport and recreation a fundamental part of Australian culture.
Western Australian community standards and norms continue to evolve and it is the department's responsibility to lead the way in ensuring that the sport and recreation industry keeps up with these changes in our society.
The department collaborates with a variety of other organisations including SportWest, Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association (ANZSLA), WA Police (WAPOL) and Sports Medicine WA (SMAWA) to provide support, resources and information to the industry and wider community.
The department provides policy position statements on a range of industry issues, such as alcohol and community sport, child safeguarding, concussion, performance enhancing drugs in sport and match-fixing.
The Safe Clubs 4 Kids initiative encourages and supports the sport and active recreation industry to create and maintain safe environments for children and young people.
Children should be able to grow and develop in a safe environment without the risk of harm. Most people who volunteer or work with children are safe and do so to make a positive contribution and help children develop to their full potential.
History shows that child abuse occurs across all sectors of the community, including the area of sport and active recreation. However, by taking a few simple steps such as the Safe Clubs 4 Kids 4 considerations, you can adopt a proactive approach to creating a safe environment for children and young people.
Everyone can play a part in keeping children safe whilst having fun in the sport and active recreation environment.
Create, promote and follow appropriate policies, procedures and guidelines.
Follow a screening procedure to recruit the right people.
Create a culture where everyone can talk and act together.
Have an understanding of children’s needs and appropriate responses to any concerns, including reporting.
The diagram below provides some guidelines about reporting:
For non life-threatening incidents contact:
Department of Communities Child Protection and Family SupportBusiness hours 61 8 9222 2555 or 1800 622 258 After hours or crisis care 61 8 9223 1111 or 1800 199 008 WA Police 131 444
Attend a Safe Clubs 4 Kids workshop to: