Member Protection

Somerton Surf Life Saving club is committed to the protection of all members. Click here for an overview and key contacts.

The club abides by the Surf Life Saving Australia Member Protection Policy: SLSA Member Protection Policy 6.05

Safeguarding Children and Young People

Surf Life Saving’s ‘Safeguarding Children and Young People Program’ has been designed to support clubs and members to minimise the risk of harm to children and young people involved in Surf Life Saving.

All volunteers working with children are required to complete an online awareness course as well as a face to face facilitated program based around their responsibility in mandatory reporting and ensuring that the club complies with all aspects of the Safe Guarding Children and Young Person program.

The Safeguarding Children Training Program has been designed to provide:

  • an awareness of child abuse & child protection
  • an understanding of responsibilities for reporting
  • the strategies and confidence to take action to prevent abuse

For more information about the program, click on this link. https://www.surflifesavingsa.com.au/member-protection

Each club has had carefully selected members complete a Child Safe Officer in Recreation and Sport course. These members are called Child Safe Officers.

If you, as a parent, member, age group manager, have the slightest suspicion about any of the children you see at nippers, then you are encouraged to speak to one of our Child Safe Officers.

The Somerton Club Child Safe Officers are:

  • Anthony Casey (Chair)
  • Sally Mainsbridge (Patrol Members)
  • Emily Casey (Junior & Youth Members)
  • Rhianna Hedley (Junior Members)
  • Kate Lally (Patrol Members)

You are encouraged to speak to any of these people if you have any concerns about child abuse of any form. The abuse could be:

  • physical – a physical injury resulting from practices such as hitting, punching, beating or otherwise harming the child/young person
  • emotional – damage to a child’s self-esteem or social competence through chronic negative behaviour directed at them
  • carnal – when someone in a position of power to the child or young person uses their power to involve the child/young person in a molestation activity of any nature
  • neglect – failing to provide for the child/young person’s basic needs, including safety

All reports are STRICTLY Confidential.

The Board of Management of the Somerton Surf Life Saving Club encourages everyone to report any suspicion of child abuse either to the Child Abuse Report Line direct on 13 14 78 or to one of the Child Safe Officers listed above.
All volunteers are mandated by LAW to report.

Working with Children Checks (WWCC)

For all those who wish to be involved in the training, management or care of these children you have to be a member and complete a Working with Children check – this is to protect our children.

To apply for a WWCC please email; memberprotection@somertonsurfclub.com.au and the club can arrange one free of charge for any active volunteers working with children.

For more information about the screening please use the following link:
https://screening.sa.gov.au/