CHILD SAFETY

The safety, participation, and empowerment of the children associated with the McKinnon Basketball Association (MBA) will always be our number one priority.

Everyone who participates in any MBA activity is entitled to do so in an enjoyable, safe, and welcoming environment. At the MBA, everyone must adhere to our accepted ethical framework, Victorian Working with Children Checks, MBA’s Child Safety Policy, Procedures, and Codes of Conduct to ensure we provide our young people with the highest possible standard of care.

Following is an overview of MBA’s policies, procedures, and systems developed to ensure our obligations are met.

Child Safe Policy

MBA’s Child Safe Policy creates our foundation for a child-safe environment. It confirms and outlines the MBA’s commitment to child safety clearly to everyone associated with our basketball community.

Child Safe Procedure 

MBA’s Child Safe Procedure sets out the processes for identifying, responding, and reporting suspected child safety concerns or abuse. The document demonstrates the strong commitment of the management, staff, and volunteers of McKinnon Basketball Association to child safety, the screening process for people in our Association who work, coach, supervise, or have regular unsupervised contact with people under the age of 18, what constitutes good and poor practices when dealing with minors, and how to effectively respond to incidents of abuse.

Child Safe Reporting

 The Child Safe Incident Reporting Process provides clear procedures for responding to and reporting child safety concerns or child abuse

The MBA’s Child Safe Incident Report Form is to be used for ALL child safety incidents, including any Child Abuse Incident or Allegation. If you believe a child is at immediate risk of abuse please phone 000.

Working With Children Check and Member Protection Declaration

All adult Coaches, Team Managers, Officials, Staff, and Volunteers working with children under the age of 18 are required to provide a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) and Member Protection Declaration. If you require a WWCC you can apply for one here. There is no cost for Volunteers.

Codes of Conduct

Basketball Victoria and the MBA Codes of Conduct set out the expectations of all who participate in basketball – Administrators, Coaches, Parents, Players, and Spectators. The MBA has also developed a  Child Safe Code of Conduct. Breaches to the Codes of Conduct may result in disciplinary action.

Member Protection

The Basketball Victoria Member Protection By-Law sets out the obligations for screening persons who work with children and deal with discrimination, harassment, and vilification in an effective, appropriate, and timely manner.

MBA Welfare Committee

The MBA Welfare Committee is responsible for ensuring that policies and procedures are reviewed and updated and that training exists for committee members, volunteers, coaches, team managers, parents, and employees on child safety matters. The Welfare Committee is also responsible for identifying and managing risks relating to child safety. 

Leading the MBA Welfare Committee is our Welfare Officer – Cathy Cooper. The identification of a Welfare Officer & Committee provides children, young people, families, and volunteers with a clearly identifiable support network in the event of a suspected child safety issue. However, this does not remove the statutory obligation of all adults to report child abuse as per the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) and Mandatory Reporting regulations.

The MBA Welfare Officer and members of the Welfare Committee are available to listen, discuss and clarify issues raised by individuals at the MBA. Players, members, employees, volunteers, and committee members can all speak with the Welfare Officer or Committee Members if they have questions or concerns in relation to child safety. Should concerns be raised, the Welfare Officer will implement the Policy.

The McKinnon Basketball Association Welfare Officer Cathy Cooper can be contacted at welfare@mckinnonbasketball.org