Football West Child Safe Commitment
Football West is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for every child and young person involved in football across Western Australia.
The safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people is our highest priority. We have a zero-tolerance approach to any behaviour that places a child or young person at risk.
We believe that all children and young people have the right to participate in football in an environment where they feel safe, respected, valued and heard. We are committed to creating a culture that promotes the rights, participation and wellbeing of children and young people at all levels of the game.
Football West is committed to:
• placing the safety and wellbeing of children and young people at the centre of our decision-making
• promoting the rights, voices and participation of children and young people
• creating inclusive environments that welcome and support children and young people of all backgrounds, abilities and identities
• implementing appropriate recruitment, screening and Working with Children Check requirements for people involved in child-related roles
• providing education, training and support to staff, volunteers, clubs and members on safeguarding responsibilities
• maintaining clear standards of behaviour and expectations for everyone involved in football
• responding to safeguarding concerns promptly, appropriately and in accordance with Football Australia’s safeguarding framework
• encouraging the reporting of concerns and ensuring reports are managed fairly, respectfully and confidentially
• continuously reviewing and improving our child safe policies, practices and culture.
Football West operates under Football Australia’s Member Protection Framework and Safeguarding Policy and is committed to the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
We expect all staff, volunteers, clubs, associations, parents, carers, participants and members of the football community to share responsibility for keeping children and young people safe.
Children and young people who participate in football should feel safe, empowered and supported at all times. Football West is committed to ensuring that safeguarding is embedded in everything we do.
Working with Children Checks
Working with Children Checks (WWCCs) are an important part of Football West’s commitment to creating a safe environment for children and young people.
Any person undertaking child-related work within football must hold a valid WWCC unless an exemption applies under the Working with Children (Screening) Act 2004.
As part of the registration process, individuals required to hold a WWCC must upload their WWCC details through PlayFootball. Football West verifies WWCC information before approving registrations. Individuals must not commence child-related work until their registration has been approved by Football West.
Individuals relying on an exemption from the requirement to hold a WWCC must upload a completed Working with Children Check Exemption Declaration at the time of registration. Football West requires either a valid WWCC or a completed exemption declaration before registration can be approved.
Safeguarding Resources
- Child Safeguarding Initiative – True Sport
- Sport Integrity Australia
- Working With Children Check Information
- Online safety
- Child Safe Practices – Do’s and Don’ts
- How Your Sport Looks After Kids (aged 7-12)
- How Your Sport Looks After You (aged 13-17)
