Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Last updated: June 2026
Reviewed: Annually
Organisation: Melbourne Volleyball Project
Contact: melbournevolleyballproject@gmail.com
Child Safety Contact: Tiffany Chang

Our Commitment

Melbourne Volleyball Project, also known as MVP, is committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all children and young people.

We have zero tolerance for child abuse, neglect, grooming, bullying, harassment, discrimination or any behaviour that places a child at risk.

MVP is committed to child safe practices that align with the Victorian Child Safe Standards. We believe that every child and young person has the right to feel safe, be safe, be heard and participate in volleyball without fear of harm.

For this policy, a child or young person means any person under the age of 18.

Scope

This policy applies to all MVP activities involving children and young people, including:

• junior training programs
• youth clinics
• tryouts
• social games where under 18s participate
• private or group coaching
• tournaments, events and team activities
• venue areas before, during and after sessions
• online communication, including email, SMS, WhatsApp, social media and registration platforms
• any situation where a person is representing or interacting with MVP

This policy applies to:

• players
• parents and guardians
• coaches
• volunteers
• staff
• contractors
• photographers and media helpers
• spectators
• anyone assisting MVP in a formal or informal role

Child Safety Principles

MVP will make decisions based on the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children.

We are committed to:

• treating all children with dignity and respect
• listening to children and taking their concerns seriously
• supporting the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
• respecting children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• supporting children with disability
• creating a safe environment for girls, boys and gender diverse young people
• preventing bullying, harassment, discrimination and abuse
• responding quickly and appropriately to child safety concerns
• reviewing and improving our child safety practices over time

Working With Children Checks

All MVP coaches, staff and volunteers who work with or have direct involvement with children must hold a current Working with Children Check where required by Victorian law.

MVP may also require a Working with Children Check for other adults involved in junior programs, even where the law does not strictly require one, if MVP considers it appropriate for child safety.

MVP will keep a record of relevant Working with Children Check details and may verify checks before a person begins working with children.

Recruitment, Screening and Supervision

MVP will take reasonable steps to make sure that adults working with children are suitable for their role.

This may include:

• checking Working with Children Check status
• checking coaching experience and references where appropriate
• explaining MVP’s child safety expectations before a person begins
• requiring coaches and volunteers to follow this policy
• supervising new coaches and volunteers
• removing a person from child related duties if there is a safety concern

Child safety is not only about paperwork. MVP expects all adults to behave professionally and maintain appropriate boundaries with children at all times.

Supervision of Children

MVP will take reasonable steps to provide appropriate supervision during junior programs.

Coaches and staff must:

• supervise children during MVP sessions
• avoid isolated or unsupervised one to one situations with a child
• keep coaching interactions visible and appropriate
• monitor the playing area, entry area and general venue area where practical
• respond to injuries, distress or safety concerns promptly
• avoid leaving children unsupervised at the end of a session

Parents and guardians are responsible for making sure children arrive safely and are picked up promptly.

Check In and Pick Up

For junior programs, MVP may require children to be checked in and out by a parent, guardian or authorised person.

Parents and guardians must:

• provide accurate emergency contact details
• provide relevant medical information
• notify MVP if someone else is collecting their child
• collect children on time
• tell MVP if their child will be late, absent or leaving early

If a child has not been collected, MVP will attempt to contact the parent or guardian using the emergency contact details provided.

Adult and Junior Mixed Environments

Some MVP activities may involve both adults and under 18 participants. Extra care must be taken in these settings.

Adults must:

• treat junior players respectfully
• avoid inappropriate jokes, comments or conversations around children
• avoid physical intimidation or aggressive behaviour
• avoid unnecessary personal contact with children
• not pressure children to socialise outside MVP activities
• not communicate privately with children outside approved MVP channels

MVP may separate junior and adult participants where required for safety, supervision or program suitability.

Communication With Children

All communication with children must be professional, transparent and related to MVP activities.

Coaches, staff and volunteers must not:

• send private one to one messages to children where a parent or guardian is not included
• contact children late at night unless there is an urgent safety reason
• use personal social media accounts to communicate with children
• request to follow or add children on personal social media
• send personal, sexual, suggestive, secretive or unnecessary messages
• ask children to keep communication secret from their parents or guardians

Where practical, communication with children should occur through:

• a parent or guardian
• official MVP channels
• group communication where parents or guardians are included
• registration platforms or email

Physical Contact

Volleyball coaching may sometimes require demonstration, correction or safety related contact. Any physical contact with a child must be appropriate, necessary and clearly connected to instruction or safety.

Coaches and staff must:

• explain the reason for physical contact before it occurs
• seek the child’s permission where appropriate
• use the least contact necessary
• keep contact visible to others
• respect a child’s physical boundaries
• stop immediately if a child appears uncomfortable or says no

Physical contact must never be sexual, punitive, forceful, humiliating or unnecessary.

Photography and Filming of Children

MVP may take photos or videos for coaching, promotion, social media or program documentation. Children’s images must be handled carefully.

MVP will:

• obtain parent or guardian consent before using images or videos of a child
• seek the child’s agreement where appropriate
• respect any withdrawal of media consent
• avoid publishing identifying details unless consent has been given
• avoid tagging children or linking them to personal profiles without consent
• store images securely
• delete images when they are no longer required
• avoid images that could embarrass, exploit or endanger a child

Photos and videos must never be taken in toilets, changing areas or private spaces.

Parents, guardians and spectators must not photograph or film other children without consent from those children’s parents or guardians.

Transport

MVP does not routinely provide transport for children.

If transport is ever arranged, it must only occur with parent or guardian consent. The arrangement should be recorded in writing where possible.

Coaches, staff and volunteers should avoid transporting a child alone in a private vehicle unless there is an emergency or there is clear written parent or guardian approval and reasonable safeguards are in place.

Injuries, Medical Issues and Emergencies

Parents and guardians must provide MVP with relevant medical information, including allergies, injuries, medication needs and emergency contacts.

If a child is injured or becomes unwell during an MVP activity, MVP will take reasonable steps to:

• provide basic first aid where appropriate
• contact the parent or guardian
• contact emergency services if required
• record the incident
• review whether any safety changes are needed

In an emergency, MVP may contact emergency services before contacting the parent or guardian.

For immediate danger, call 000.

Prohibited Behaviour

The following behaviour is not tolerated at MVP:

• child abuse of any kind
• grooming
• sexual comments, jokes or conduct involving children
• physical, emotional or psychological abuse
• bullying, harassment or intimidation
• discrimination or exclusion
• humiliation, shaming or belittling
• aggressive coaching or punishment based coaching
• unnecessary physical contact
• private or secretive communication with children
• being alone with a child in an isolated setting
• photographing or filming children without consent
• sharing images of children without consent
• offering gifts, favours or special treatment in a way that creates secrecy or dependency
• alcohol, drug or substance affected behaviour around children
• ignoring or failing to report a child safety concern

Expectations for Coaches, Staff and Volunteers

All MVP coaches, staff and volunteers must:

• prioritise child safety over performance outcomes
• treat children fairly and respectfully
• use positive and constructive coaching methods
• maintain professional boundaries
• avoid favouritism
• listen when a child raises a concern
• report child safety concerns promptly
• follow MVP policies and directions
• act as role models for respectful behaviour

Coaches must not use fear, shame or humiliation as a coaching tool.

Expectations for Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians must:

• support a safe and respectful environment
• speak respectfully to children, coaches, staff and other parents
• provide accurate emergency and medical information
• collect children on time
• raise concerns through appropriate channels
• avoid coaching from the sidelines in a disruptive way
• avoid pressuring children about performance, selection or results
• avoid filming or posting other children without consent

Parents and guardians should tell MVP as soon as possible if their child feels unsafe, uncomfortable or distressed.

Expectations for Players

Children and young people participating in MVP activities are expected to:

• treat others with respect
• listen to coaches and staff
• use appropriate language
• play safely and fairly
• include and encourage others
• tell a coach, parent, guardian or trusted adult if they feel unsafe
• report bullying, harassment or inappropriate behaviour
• respect equipment, venues and personal belongings

Players will not be punished for raising a genuine safety concern.

Reporting Child Safety Concerns

Anyone can report a child safety concern, including children, parents, guardians, coaches, volunteers and spectators.

Concerns may include:

• a child saying they feel unsafe
• inappropriate adult behaviour
• bullying or harassment
• concerning online communication
• inappropriate physical contact
• suspected abuse, neglect or grooming
• unsafe supervision
• unauthorised filming or photography
• any behaviour that does not feel right

Reports can be made to:

MVP Child Safety Contact: [insert name]
Email: [insert MVP email]
Phone: [insert phone number]
In person: Speak to an MVP coach or staff member

For immediate danger, call 000.

How MVP Responds to Concerns

MVP will take child safety concerns seriously.

When a concern is raised, MVP will:

• listen respectfully
• take immediate steps to reduce risk
• record the concern
• avoid blaming the child or person making the report
• keep information private where possible
• escalate the matter where required
• contact parents or guardians where appropriate
• report to relevant authorities where required by law
• remove or suspend a person from child related duties if there is a safety risk

MVP will not attempt to privately resolve serious child safety matters where external reporting is required.

Consequences for Breaches

A breach of this policy may result in:

• a verbal warning
• a written warning
• education or retraining
• removal from a session
• suspension from MVP activities
• cancellation of registration
• removal from coaching, staff or volunteer duties
• reporting to relevant authorities
• permanent exclusion from MVP activities

MVP may take immediate action where there is a child safety risk.

Privacy and Records

MVP will collect and store child safety information only where reasonably necessary.

This may include:

• emergency contact details
• medical information
• media consent records
• Working with Children Check records
• incident reports
• communication records
• parent or guardian permissions

MVP will take reasonable steps to keep this information secure and only share it where required for safety, legal or operational reasons.

Review

This policy will be reviewed at least once every year.

MVP may update this policy earlier if:

• the law changes
• MVP programs change
• a child safety incident occurs
• feedback shows that the policy needs improvement
• updated guidance becomes available

Questions or Concerns

For questions about this policy, child safety at MVP or reporting a concern, contact:

Melbourne Volleyball Project
Email: melbournevolleyballproject@gmail.com

For urgent danger, call 000.