A Member Protection Information Officer is the first point of contact for persons with member protection or child protection enquiries or complaints. MPIO’s are impartial and have received further training in how to handle complaints. They are the ‘go to’ person if you want to discuss problems, particularly if you are considering making an official complaint.

The GUFC Member Protection Information Officer can be contacted via email: mpio@gufc.com.au

 

Commitment to Child Safety at GUFC

Our club provides a safe culture by supporting children and young people, their families and communities and by ensuring all volunteers and staff who work with Gymea United Football Club are committed to safeguarding children and young people.

We intend to:

  • Provide a safe and supportive environment to children and young people;
  • Ensure that the experiences of children and young people at our club are free from any form of harmful conduct, including child abuse, neglect or grooming;
  • Empower children and young people so they feel able to respond to any behaviours that are not acceptable;
  • Ensure children and young people know who to approach if they feel unsafe or have any child safety concerns, including abuse, neglect and grooming;
  • Provide appropriate codes of conduct to everyone who interacts with our club;
  • Establish a reporting framework;
  • Provide support for any children and young people who report or are suspected of being exposed to concerning conduct, including abuse, neglect or grooming;
  • Ensure that players and staff follow our codes of conduct;
  • Ensure all recruited staff have their Working with Children Check (WWCC) completed and other screening checks where possible;
  • Induct all stakeholders so they recognise their role in keeping children and young people safe;
  • Facilitate ongoing learning and development opportunities related to child safety.
  • Ensure that all club stakeholders are aware of our reporting policy and process;
  • Provide necessary support to club participants if they are exposed to, or report abuse, neglect or grooming; and
  • Continually welcome feedback from stakeholders to develop and improve our child safe policies and procedures.

For further information on Child Safety, GUFC have released the following documents:

 

GUFC Human Resources Policy

All paid and unpaid staff, including volunteers of Gymea United Football Club are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who engage with club.

As a club, we will take all reasonable steps to ensure that our organisation engages suitable and appropriate people to work with children.

 

All paid and volunteer staff working with children under 18 years of age must have a valid Working With Children Check (number and expiry). The Working with Children Check is a mandatory NSW Government requirement and plays an important part in safeguarding children involved in football and in providing a child safe and child friendly sport environment.

 

The WWC is entered into the Shared Services website when registering as a volunteer (coach, manager or committee volunteer). The MPIO also oversees the WWC checks, ensuring that all GUFC coaches, managers, committee and helpers have been verified.

Check your status to see if you already have completed the check:

https://wwccheck.ocg.nsw.gov.au/FindMyNumber

 

Apply for WWC approval here:

https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/working-children-check/applicant/how-apply-wwcc

 

All paid and volunteer staff are expected to:

  • follow the relevant GUFC codes of conduct for the role they are undertaking;
  • understand their obligations to child safety by undertaking any relevant training and remaining up-to-date with current policies;
  • follow the GUFC child safe policy and related child safe code of conduct;
  • provide feedback to continually improve the club documentation when required.

Any breaches of conduct may result in the immediate dismissal from their role at the club.  For more information, please contact the GUFC Member Protection Information Officer.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS HERE

GUFC_Child_Safety_Policy

GUFC Inc Child Safety Code of Conduct 2024_Form

GUFC HR Policy Feb24 FINAL

GUFC Child Safe Risk Management Policy Feb24 FINAL

GUFC Child Safe Risk Management Plan Feb24 FINAL