Introduction
Regulation of the Child Safe Standards. From 1 February 2022, Swim Schools in NSW are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards.
The NSW government introduced the Children’s Guardian Amendment (Child Safe Scheme) Act 2021 which embeds the Child Safe Standards as the primary framework to guide child safe practices in NSW.
Regulator - NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG)
Under the Scheme, the NSW OCG is responsible for monitoring, investigating, and enforcing the implementation of the Child Safe Standards. This gives the OCG additional powers to monitor and investigate how organisations implement the Child Safe Standards. The purpose of this is to support the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
Click here to find out more about the role of the NSW OCG and the Child Safe Scheme.
What are your Swim School’s Legal Obligations?
The new Child Safe Scheme affects child-related organisations in NSW, including (but not limited to) those who deliver services in Sport and Recreation, such as Swim Schools.The Scheme imposes obligations on the 'head of a child safe organisation' to ensure that the Child Safe Standards are implemented through the organisation’s systems, policies, and processes. This may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- A Statement of Commitment to Child Safety
- A Child Safe Policy
- A Code of Conduct
- A Complaint Management Policy and Procedure
- A Human Resources Policy
- A Risk Management Plan.
What does this mean for NSW?
All aquatic facilities in NSW should now be taking steps to implement the Child Safe Standards. This includes smaller to larger Swim Schools, council pools and school based swim schools.
If you have any questions, or would like to learn how Child Safeguard can help your organisation comply with the Child Safe Scheme, email at: [email protected]
Additional Support and Information
WWSS and Child Safeguard are partners in offering the Child Safe Training Hub. The online training and resource platform that provides your Swim School with the tools required to build and develop its Child Safe Framework. Read more here about the platform.
Get started today to ensure you are complying with your local regulations. Fill in this form and we will be in touch.
To find out more information about the Child Safe Training Hub contact us here.