Child Safe Officer Guidelines

This information provides best practice guidelines to appoint Child Safe Officers at School Sport Victoria events. 

These guidelines strengthen our commitment to child safety and in providing a safe, positive, and inclusive for all students.

Purpose

School Sport Victoria (SSV) is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students, ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits of sport.

The Child Safe Officer guidelines are to support in providing a safe and supportive environment and protect our school sport community. 

All child safety allegations and concerns are treated seriously and consistently. We handle every matter in strict alignment with School Sport Victoria and Department of Education child safe policies and procedures.

Related Policies

1. DE Student Behaviour
2. SSV Codes of Conduct - Child Safety
3. SSV Codes of Conduct - SSV Events 
4. Guidance for Reporting and Responding to Child Safe Matters

Guidelines

School Sport Victoria require Child Safe Officers at all state and regional level events. Child Safe Officers are being progressively rolled out to events across other levels.

For Large Events (More than 500 Students)

• Requirement: A designated, highly visible Child Safe Officer must be appointed.
• Visibility: This officer will wear a distinct Child Safe Officer vest.
• Applicable Events: This applies to all district, division, regional, and state athletics, swimming, and cross-country events, as well as any team events with more than 500 competing students.

For Smaller Events (500 or Fewer Students)

• Requirement: A Child Safe Officer must be appointed.
• Combined Roles: This position can be combined with another active event role, such as the event convenor or organiser.

Important Safety Note for Teachers: Even where a Child Safe Officer is appointed, supervising teachers must continue to maintain their standard duty of care for their individual school's students.

Key Responsibilities of a Child Safe Officer

Child Safe Officers play a vital role in championing safety at the event on the ground. Their core responsibilities include:

Checking Credentials: Supporting and ensuring that processes are followed so that all adults involved in delivering School Sport Victoria activities possess valid Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) registration or Working with Children Check cards.

Verifying Safety Compliance: Confirming that event organisers have fully completed the required School Sport Victoria pre-event and post-event safety checklists.

Supporting the Community: Remaining readily available to students, parents, and officials to address any child safety concerns that arise during the event.

Communicating Clearly: Promptly informing the event convenor or organiser of any matters pertaining to child safety.

Reporting Concerns: Actively reporting child safety concerns to event convenors, School Sport Victoria staff, coordinators, or teachers present at the event.

Promoting Health Protocols: Ensuring event organisers are fully aware of the Department of Education concussion protocols. (Note: The Child Safe Officer is not responsible for conducting medical evaluations).