Child Safety

Balwyn Saints Cricket Club is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all children and young people. We proudly adopt and endorse Australian Cricket’s Child Safeguarding Framework, follow Cricket Victoria’s Child Safe & Member Protection policies, and meet all obligations under Victoria’s 11 Child Safe Standards.

Child safety is everyone’s responsibility. Our club’s culture, leadership, and practices ensure that children are protected, respected, and empowered at all times.

Our Child Safety Commitment

Balwyn Saints Cricket Club:

  • Prioritises the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people
  • Embeds child safety in our governance, decision‑making, and everyday behaviour
  • Ensures all volunteers and officials understand their responsibilities
  • Promotes inclusion, equity, and cultural safety
  • Encourages children to speak up and participate in decisions that affect them
  • Responds to concerns promptly, respectfully, and in line with Cricket Victoria’s reporting pathways

We adopt and enforce the following Australian Cricket policies:

Meeting Victoria’s 11 Child Safe Standards

Balwyn Saints meets all 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards through the following actions:

  1. Cultural safety for Aboriginal children We create an environment where Aboriginal children feel respected, valued, and safe.
  2. Child safety embedded in leadership & governance Our committee oversees compliance, risk management, and continuous improvement.
  3. Children and young people are empowered We encourage children to express their views and raise concerns.
  4. Families and communities are informed and involved We communicate openly with parents and involve them in safety decisions.
  5. Equity, diversity, and inclusion We support children of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities.
  6. Suitable and screened volunteers All required personnel hold a valid WWCC and are assessed for suitability.
  7. Child‑focused complaints process We provide clear, accessible reporting pathways for children and families.
  8. Education and training Volunteers receive child safety guidance and understand their obligations.
  9. Safe physical and online environments We manage risks in facilities, communication, photography, and digital platforms.
  10. Regular review of policies and practices Child safety policies are reviewed annually or after any incident.
  11. Safe behaviour and role modelling All adults follow the Looking After Our Kids Code of Behaviour.

Working With Children Checks (WWCC) & Screening

Balwyn Saints Cricket Club requires a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC) for:

  • all coaches who interact and deal with Children and Young People
  • official umpires who officiate cricket matches involving Children and Young People
  • club captains who interact and deal with Children and Young People
  • team managers who interact and deal with Children and Young People
  • junior coordinators
  • club president, secretary and other committee members for all clubs with children and young people participants
  • other volunteers directly involved in the delivery of programs and services to Children and young people
  • any other person required by any applicable State or Territory law to hold a WWCC .

The club maintains a secure WWC Register and regularly verifies the status of all WWCCs to ensure ongoing compliance with Cricket Victoria and Victorian legislation.

Child Safe Officer & Complaints Manager

Balwyn Saints appoints the following roles:

Child Safe Officer

Responsible for supporting children, families, and volunteers, and providing guidance on child safety matters.

Trudi Wilson – childsafety@balwyncricket.com.au – 0434 766 550

Complaints Manager

Responsible for receiving, managing, and escalating complaints in line with Cricket Victoria’s Complaints & Resolution Policy. (This role cannot be held by the Club President.)

Nathan Donohue – complaints@balwyncricket.com.au – 0416 979 519

Reporting Concerns & Complaints

Children, parents, and volunteers can report concerns through:

  • The Child Safe Officer
  • The Complaints Manager
  • Any coach or team manager
  • Cricket Victoria’s reporting channels (for serious or unresolved matters)

Reports are handled:

If a child is at immediate risk, call 000.

Empowering Children & Engaging Families

We:

  • Encourage children to speak up if something feels unsafe
  • Provide child‑friendly explanations of rules and expectations
  • Communicate openly with families about safety practices
  • Invite feedback from parents and guardians

Safe Physical & Online Environments

Balwyn Saints manages risks by:

  • Ensuring appropriate supervision at all activities
  • Prohibiting private one‑on‑one communication between adults and children
  • Following strict photography and video guidelines including capture and maintaining a secure register of Junior Image and Consent Release.
  • Using club‑approved communication channels
  • Ensuring facilities and equipment are safe and well maintained

Equity, Diversity & Cultural Safety

We welcome and support:

  • Aboriginal children
  • Children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
  • Children with disabilities
  • Children of all identities and abilities

Programs are adapted where possible to meet individual needs.

Behaviour Expectations

All adults and children must follow:

Adults must always act respectfully, safely, and as positive role models.

Policy Review & Continuous Improvement

Balwyn Saints reviews all child safety policies:

  • Annually
  • After any incident
  • When Cricket Victoria or Cricket Australia updates their requirements

Continuous improvement is central to our commitment to child safety.

Copyright © Balwyn Saints Cricket Club