Child Protection Officer
An important step in creating a safer environment for children involved in your sport is to appoint a child protection officer for your organisation.
It is recommended under the child protection guidelines that all organisations be proactive and appoint a child protection officer.
What is the role of the child protection officer?
A child protection officer coordinates your organisation's child protection activities and needs to convey a clear message about the importance of child protection to the people involved in your sport.
A child protection officer needs to:
- coordinate your organisation's response to child protection,
- administer the record keeping associated with the Prohibited Employment Declarations,
- ensure the Working with Children Check process is followed, and
- ensure all people involved in with your organisation are aware of your child protection policy and relevant codes of conduct.
In addition, it is important that the child protection officer:
- knows the DOCS helpline number (132 111) and has copies of standard reporting forms,
- is aware of, or creates, reporting procedures to deal with allegations of abuse,
- promotes child protection awareness in your organisation, and
- ensures children and adults in your organisation have someone to go to if they have a concern or need information on child protection.