Child Safety Policy

Purpose

SEA Australia is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people who participate in our programs. We support the rights of children and will act without hesitation to ensure a safe environment. This policy outlines our approach to child safety and the responsibilities of our staff, contractors, volunteers, and visitors.

Scope

This policy applies to all SEA Australia employees, surf instructors, volunteers, contractors, and anyone involved in the delivery of our school and holiday programs. It covers all interactions with children under 18 years of age across our services, both in-person and online.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

• We have zero tolerance for child abuse or neglect in any form.
• We are committed to child protection and safety laws, including the Child Safe Standards and relevant state legislation (e.g. NSW Child Protection [Working with Children] Act 2012).
• We actively promote the empowerment and participation of children in our programs.
• We are committed to providing training and support to staff to ensure child-safe practices.
• We take all allegations and concerns seriously and respond promptly and transparently.

Responsibilities

All SEA Australia team members are expected to:

• Behave respectfully and appropriately toward all children
• Report any concerns about child safety, abuse or misconduct
• Complete and maintain valid Working With Children Checks (WWCC) or equivalent
• Participate in induction and ongoing training related to child safety
• Comply with this Child Safety Policy and related procedures

Managers and program leads must ensure:

• All staff and volunteers are screened and trained
• Risks are identified and managed in all programs involving children
• Reporting processes are clear and accessible

Code of Conduct with Children

All SEA Australia representatives must:

• Always work in pairs or visible areas when interacting one-on-one with a child
• Use appropriate, positive language
• Refrain from any form of inappropriate physical contact
• Avoid transporting children alone unless previously authorised
• Never share personal contact details or social media access with a child
• Report boundary violations or suspicious behaviour immediately

Risk Management

We assess potential risks to child safety in all our programs and take steps to reduce or eliminate those risks. Our supervision ratios, beach protocols, and emergency response plans are designed with child protection as a key priority.

Reporting Concerns

Any concerns, disclosures, or suspicions of abuse or misconduct must be reported immediately to the Child Safety Officer or a senior staff member.

We will:

• Support the child involved
• Follow mandatory reporting procedures
• Cooperate with police or child protection agencies as required

Reports can also be made to:
NSW Child Protection Helpline: 132 111 (24 hours)

SEA Australia encourages a culture where staff, children, and parents feel safe and supported to speak up.

Communication and Awareness

We make this policy available to all parents, schools, and guardians. Our staff discuss safety expectations with students at the beginning of each program. We welcome feedback and encourage community involvement in our child safety efforts.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually and after any significant incident, to ensure it remains current with legislation and best practices.

Contact

Child Safety Contact: Craig Riddington
SEA Australia Pty Ltd
Email: Please use the contact form
Phone: 0418963652