slsq Child Safety Commitment Statement

At Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ), we are committed to ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and empowerment of all children and young people involved in our movement. We uphold a zero-tolerance approach to harm, misconduct & abuse and recognise our shared responsibility to create safe, inclusive, and supportive environments for every child.

SLSQ has a legal and moral responsibility to ensure the safety of all members—particularly children and youth. We are bound by the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulation 2001. Every person within SLSQ is bound by this Statement of Commitment and must always place the safety and welfare of children and young people above all other considerations.

SLSQ acknowledges the valuable contribution made by our staff and volunteers to the positive experiences of our Junior Activities and youth members. We are committed to ensuring these experiences continue in a safe, nurturing, and respectful environment.

As part of our committee to Children and young people safety, SLSQ implements the following measures:

Prohibit Misconduct and Promote Safe Conduct

• Strictly prohibit any form of misconduct or abuse against children.
• Promote, enforce, and regularly review Codes of Conduct, particularly in roles related to Junior Activities and Youth Sport.

Screen, Select, and Support the Right People

• Screen and select all individuals who work or volunteer with children and young people.
• Ensure that all staff and volunteers are suitably supported and understand their child safety responsibilities.

Educate and Equip Our People

• Deliver regular training and resources to educate staff and volunteers about child abuse prevention, child protection, and safe practices.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning to ensure our people remain informed and capable.

Create Inclusive and Safe Environments

• Uphold equity and respect the diverse needs of all children in our policies and practices.
• Actively manage physical and online environments to minimise risks to children and young people.

Empower Children and Involve Families

• Empower children and young people to participate, be heard, and contribute feedback on programs and decisions that affect them.
• Actively involve families and communities in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Strengthen Leadership and Governance

• Embed child safety into our organisational leadership, governance frameworks, and culture.
• Decisions and operations are guided by a child-focused lens and a commitment to protecting young members.

Maintain Clear Procedures and Continuous Improvement

• Provide clear, accessible procedures for raising concerns or complaints, which are child-focused and free from reprisal.
• Regularly review, monitor, and improve our policies, procedures, and practices to ensure the highest standards of child safety are maintained.

SLSQ takes all breaches of this Child Safety Commitment seriously. Any failure to comply with our policies, Codes of Conduct, or child safety expectations will be addressed through a fair and confidential process. This may involve internal investigation, disciplinary action, or referral to external authorities where necessary.

All breaches are reviewed to support ongoing improvement in our child safety practices. No person will be victimised for reporting concerns, and the privacy of all parties will be respected. If any person bound by this commitment reasonably suspects that a child is being harmed by a parent or carer, they are advised to contact the Queensland Police.

We reaffirm that the safety of children and young people is the foundation of our culture and is at the heart of everything we do.

Yours in Lifesaving,
Surf Life Saving Queensland