Children may participate in grading/rank promotions, competitions, tournaments or training days.
A.M.A.A. volunteers usually work with children in situations where
another organisation and its staff have primary responsibility for the children involved.
This policy does not apply in such situations where A.M.A.A. are not in
the primary care of children. When they are are under the supervision of visiting organisations we should abide by their organisation's child protection protocols.
A.M.A.A. member organisations will abide by the A.M.A.A Child Protection Policy at all times.
However, there will be instances when the A.M.A.A. will visit
member organisations and should abide by the A.M.A.A Child Protection Policy and
will have primary responsibility for the welfare of the children involved. This responsibility extends to any informal continuation of a A.M.A.A activity or any related activity which
may be construed by the public as an A.M.A.A. activity.
Where we act 'in loco parentis' at any activity.
This also extends to member
organisations who visit or have any related activity with other organisations.
This policy is intended primarily to provide a child protection framework for such situations.
While all A.M.A.A. activities will be conducted in accordance with the intent of this policy and the related procedures, the policy is not applicable in the following situations:
Where the President or relevant Instructor believes the requirements of this policy are not being met, the activity should be terminated or any children
involved in the activity should be withdrawn from that activity.
1. A.M.A.A. volunteers who are engaged in activities to which this policy applies will:
have a current national police check which has been confirmed by the relevant body authorised to make this judgement to be free
of any record of offences which would be of concern in relation to working with children
have completed mandatory reporting training.
2. A.M.A.A. volunteers responsible for any activity involving children must ensure that they meet their obligations under the Children’s Protection Act, and any
other relevant legislation.
3. A.M.A.A. volunteers must at all times
observe protocols for child protection, and in particular:
must not be alone with children where other A.M.A.A. volunteers or parents of the children involved or other responsible adults, cannot observe their
interaction with children
must not transport children to and from places other than as detailed in the consent note (see below)
must avoid any situation which might give rise to suspicion or complaint, such as the unnecessary touching of children, showing favouritism or contacting
children involved in the A.M.A.A. activity outside of that activity where this would not occur naturally as part of community life
must not make or use audio, photographic or visual representations of children not directly related to the purpose of the activity or which may encourage
prurient interest.
4. All proposed activities involving children must be approved by the relevant A.M.A.A. office bearers prior to their conduct. Approval is
also necessary for any informal continuation of a A.M.A.A. activity or any related activity which may be construed by the public as a A.M.A.A. activity and which falls within the
scope of this policy.
5. In approving such an activity the relevant office bearer should have regard to this policy and in particular to
the level of training of volunteers in a supervisory role that is necessary for the activity to be conducted safely.
6. All activities covered by this
policy should be clearly described to all participants as an A.M.A.A. activity.
7. In order for a child to be involved in an A.M.A.A. activity that falls
within the scope of this policy, before the event the A.M.A.A. must provide the child's parent(s) or guardian with:
an information sheet describing the nature of the activity
the measures to be taken to ensure children’s safety and well being
contact details for the A.M.A.A. volunteer responsible for the child in the course of the activity
information on whom to contact if they have any concerns.
8. While parents of children involved in events may also participate, they must not be placed in a supervisory role in relation to other children unless they
meet all the requirements for A.M.A.A. volunteers specified in this policy.
9. No child will be permitted to be involved in an A.M.A.A. activity unless
the A.M.A.A. volunteer member in charge of the activity is in possession of an authority (note) signed by the child’s parent(s) or guardian(s) consenting to the child’s
involvement in that activity.
10. Notes of consent or other authorities must give details of the proposed activity and the activity must be conducted as
described in the consent note.
11. The ratio of adults to children in any A.M.A.A. activity must be adequate to ensure the proper supervision of children at
all times and to be in accord with State, Federal and Territory Licensing regulations, requirements and in keeping with normal early childhood practice.
12. In
any activity which may involve children using a toilet, washing or sleeping, supervision is to be provided in accord with State, Federal and Territory Licensing regulations and
requirements and in keeping with normal early childhood practice.
13. In all A.M.A.A. activities involving children the A.M.A.A. volunteers
must be mindful of the safety of the children at all times, and must not conduct any activity for which they do not have the appropriate training.
14. One or
more A.M.A.A. volunteers must have appropriate first aid training or ready access to an A.M.A.A. First Aid Officer. An appropriate first aid kit should also be readily accessible.
15. A.M.A.A. staff and students involved in activities with children must comply with mandatory reporting legislation which requires that suspicions of child abuse are reported
directly to the Child Abuse Reportline (Tel 13 14 78). Concerns about the behaviour or intent of any person involved in the activity must be reported to the supervisor of the activity
or to the senior member of the A.M.A.A. whose contact details are given in the information sheet.
16. Any complaint about an A.M.A.A. activity involving
children should be directed to the senior member of A.M.A.A. identified in the information sheet provided to parents, who must seek advice from an office bearer.