The ‘every child every chance’ reforms are underpinned by principles that promote the right of every child to live a full and productive life in an environment that builds confidence, friendships, security and happiness irrespective of their family circumstances or background. The Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 is a key building block to support the reform strategy to promote children’s safety, wellbeing and development. 

The 12th Player has a unifying set of ‘best interest’s principles’ that require family services, Child Protection and placement services to protect children from harm, protect their rights and promote their development in gender, age and culturally appropriate ways. 

For the purposes of this protocol, acting in the best interests of the child includes: 

• Reporting to Child Protection all allegations or disclosures of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. 

• Reporting to Child Protection when a belief is formed that a child has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed. 

• Making the child’s ongoing safety and wellbeing the primary focus of decision-making. 

• Sharing appropriate information, expertise and resources with other service providers supporting the child.

• Protecting and promoting the cultural and spiritual identity of a child and maintaining their connection to their family or community of origin. 

• Enabling the child and the child’s family to access appropriate services in order to reduce the long-term effects of abuse or neglect. 

Collaborative work between Child Protection, licensed children’s services and The 12th Player can improve outcomes for children, young people and their families. Effective collaboration on the creation of a working relationship based on principles of trust, respect and shared decision-making contributes to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people by protecting them from significant harm. 

Staff or volunteers working for Child Protection, licensed children’s services and The 12th Players have a duty of care to support and protect the children and young people with whom they are professionally involved. When staff members form a reasonable belief that a child or young person has been harmed or is at risk 

of harm, they are ethically bound to take action to protect the safety and wellbeing of that child or young person. 

Duty of care is breached if a person: 

• does something that a reasonable person in that person’s position would not do in a particular situation, 

• fails to do something that a reasonable person in that person’s position would do in the circumstances, 

• acts or fails to act in a way that causes harm to someone to whom the person owes a duty of care. 

Child abuse is a very emotive and difficult subject. It is important to understand the feelings involved but not to allow them to interfere with our judgment about any action to be taken. It is also important that child abuse and child protection are openly discussed as this helps create an environment where people are more aware of the issues and sensitive to the needs of children. Open discussions also create environments that deter abusers. 

Child abuse both within and outside of the family can occur anywhere. This includes sport, leisure, cultural, religious and care environments and on the transport to and from these places. 

Recent inquiries have also indicated that abuse which takes place within a public setting is rarely a one-off event. This means that if abuse is detected, it is highly unlikely to be the first time it has happened. It is therefore crucial that all allegations and suspicions are treated seriously and appropriate actions taken. 

An environment that explicitly attempts to identify and report abuse helps create a safer culture for children and young people. Allegations may also relate to poor practice where an adult’s or a peer’s behaviour is inappropriate and may be causing concern to a young person within a football setting. 

Poor practice includes any behaviour that contravenes existing Codes of Conduct, infringes an individual’s rights and/or reflects a failure to fulfil the highest standards of care. Poor practice is unacceptable in football and will be treated seriously with appropriate actions taken. 

Sometimes a child or young person may not be aware that practice is poor or abusive and they may tolerate behaviour without complaint. An example of this is a child with a disability who is used to being excluded from activities or a bullied young person who is used to being mocked. Children may also be used to their cultural needs being ignored or their race abused. This does not make it acceptable. 

Many children and young people will lack the skills or confidence to complain and it is therefore extremely important that adults in the club advocate for the children and young people. 

Advocating for children and young people who find it hard to speak out is part of creating a safer culture for them. 

Incidents of poor practice occur when the needs of children and young people are not afforded the necessary priority, so as their welfare is compromised. Some examples are likely to be: 

• when insufficient care is taken to avoid injuries (e.g. by excessive training or inappropriate training for the age, maturity, experience and ability of players) 

• giving continued and unnecessary preferential treatment to individuals and regularly or unfairly rejecting others (e.g. singling out and only focusing on the talented players and failing to involve the full squad) 

• placing children or young people in potentially compromising and uncomfortable situations with adults (e.g. changing in a 1:1 situation with a young referee) 

• allowing abusive or concerning practices to go unreported (e.g. a coach who ridicules and criticises players who make a mistake during a match) 

• ignoring health and safety guidelines (e.g. allowing young players to set up goal posts unsupervised by adults) 

• failing to adhere to the club’s codes of practice (e.g. openly verbally abusing the referee). 

Please note: 

• The judgments about whether an incident is one of child abuse or poor practice may not be able to be made at the point of referral, but only after the collation of relevant information 

• The majority of poor practice concerns can be dealt with by the school or alternatively with support and guidance form the The 12th Player welfare officer. 

• All child abuse will be dealt with by the Director of THE 12TH PLAYER. 

The following definitions are provided to assist licensed children’s services and The 12th Player Staff to decide if abuse is occurring and to assist them in deciding whether the impact warrants a report to Child Protection, a referral to Child FIRST services or whether another action is required. 

PHYSICAL ABUSE – POSSIBLE INDICATORS

Physical abuse consists of any non-accidental form of injury or serious physical harm inflicted on a child or young person by any person. Physical abuse does not mean reasonable discipline, though it may result from excessive or inappropriate discipline. Physical abuse can include beating, shaking, burning and assault with implements.

Physical Indicators 

• Bruises or welts on facial areas and other areas of the body, including back, bottom, legs, arms and inner thighs. Any bruises or welts in unusual configurations, or those that look like the object used to make the injury, for example, fingerprints or handprints, buckles, iron, teeth 

• Burns that show the shape of the object used to make them, such as an iron, grill, cigarette; or burns from boiling water, oil or flames

• Fractures of the skull, jaw, nose and limbs, especially those not consistent with the explanation offered or with the type of injury probable/possible at the child’s age and development. 

• Cuts and grazes to the mouth, lips, gums, eye area, ears, and external genitalia 

• Human bite marks 

• Bald patches where hair has been pulled out

Behavioural Indicators 

• The child or young person states that an injury has been inflicted by someone else (caregiver or other), or offers and inconsistent or unlikely explanation or can’t remember the cause of injury 

• Unusual fear of physical contact with adults (for example, flinches if unexpectedly touched) 

• Wearing clothes unsuitable for weather conditions (such as long-sleeved tops) to hide injuries 

• Habitual absences from school without explanation (the caregiver may be keeping the child or young person away until signs of injury have disappeared)

• Overly compliant, shy, withdrawn, passive and uncommunicative  

• Fearfulness when other children cry or shout

• Unusually nervous or hyperactive, aggressive, disruptive and destructive to self and/or others 

Sexual abuse – Possible Indicators

A child is sexually abused when any person uses their authority or power over the child or young person to engage in sexual activity. Child sexual abuse involves a wide range of sexual activity and may include fondling genitals, masturbation, oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration by finger, penis or any exhibitionism. It can also include exploitation through pornography or prostitution. 

Physical Indicators 

• Injury to the genital or rectal area, such as bruising or bleeding

• Vaginal or anal bleeding or discharge

• Discomfort in urinating or defecating

• Presence of foreign bodies in vagina and/or rectum

• Inflammation and infection of genital area

• Sexually transmitted diseases

• Pregnancy, especially in very young adolescents

• Bruising and other injury to breasts, buttocks and thighs

• Anxiety related illnesses

• Frequent urinary tract infections

Behavioural Indicators 

• The child or young person discloses sexual abuse

• Persistent and age inappropriate sexual activity including excessive masturbation; masturbation with objects; rubbing genitals against adults, playing games that act out a sexually abusive event

• Drawings or descriptions in stories that are sexually explicit and not age appropriate

• A fear of home, a specific place, a particular adult; excessive fear of men or of women

• Poor or deteriorating relationships with adults and peers

• Poor self-care/personal hygiene

• Arriving early at school and leaving late

• Complaining of headaches, stomach pains or nausea without physiological basis

• Frequent rocking, sucking or biting

• Sleeping difficulties

• Reluctance to participate in physical or recreational activities

• Regressive behaviour, such as bedwetting or speech loss

• Sudden accumulation of money or gifts

• Truancy or running away from home

• Delinquent or aggressive behaviour

• Depression

• Self–harming behaviour, including drug/alcohol abuse, prostitution, self- mutilation, attempted suicide

• Sudden decline in academic performance, poor memory and concentration

• Wearing of provocative clothing, or layers of clothes to hide injuries

• Promiscuity

Emotional Abuse– Possible Indicators

Emotional abuse occurs when a child or young person is repeatedly rejected, isolated or frightened by threats or witnessing of family violence. It also includes hostility, derogatory name-calling and put-downs, or persistent coldness from a person, to the extent where the behaviour of the child or young person is disturbed or their emotional development is at serious risk of being impaired.

Psychological or emotional abuse may occur with or without other forms of abuse. The child or young person may develop personality or behavioural disorders, or become filled with self-doubt and internalised rage, unable to form sustained and intimate relationships. There are few physical indicators, although emotional abuse may cause delays in emotional, or mental or even physical development.

Physical Indicators 

• Speech disorders

• Delays in physical development

• Failure to thrive (without an organic cause)

 Behavioural Indicators 

• Overly compliant, passive and undemanding behaviour

• Extremely demanding, aggressive, attention seeking behaviour

• Anti-social, destructive behaviour

• Low tolerance or frustration

• Poor self-image

• Unexplained mood swings

• Behaviours that are not age appropriate for example, overly adult (parenting of other children), or overly infantile (thumb sucking, rocking, wetting or soiling)

• Mental or emotional delays

• Fear of failure, overly high standards, and

• excessive neatness

• Depression, suicidal

• Running away

• Violent drawings or writing

• Contact with other children forbidden

Neglect includes a failure to provide the child or young person with an adequate standard of nutrition, medical care, clothing shelter or supervision to the extent where the health or development of the child is significantly impaired or placed at serious risk. A child is neglected if they are left uncared for over long periods of time or abandoned. Two types of neglect are discussed below.

Serious neglect

Serious neglect includes situations where a parent has consistently failed to meet the child’s basic needs for food, shelter, hygiene or adequate supervision to the extent that the consequences for the child are severe. For example, where:

• the child’s home environment is filthy or hazardous in the extreme and poses a threat to the child’s immediate safety or development and is characterised by the presence of animal or human faeces or urine, decomposing food, syringes or other dangerous paraphernalia

• the child is provided with consistently insufficient or inadequate food or nourishment for the child’s healthy development

• the child has a serious medical condition for which the parent has consistently failed to obtain treatment or dispense prescribed medication

• the parent consistently leaves the child unattended, exposed to or in the care of strangers who may harm the child. 

Medical neglect

Neglect of medical care refers to a situation where a parent’s refusal of, or failure to seek, treatment or agree to a certain medical procedure leads to an unacceptable deprivation of the child’s basic rights to life or health.

Physical Indicators 

• Consistently dirty and unwashed

• Consistently inappropriately dressed for weather conditions

• Consistently without adequate supervision

• Consistently hungry, tired and listless

• falling asleep in class

• Unattended health problems and lack of routine medical care

• Inadequate shelter and unsafe or unsanitary conditions

• Abandonment by parents

• Failure to thrive

 Behavioural Indicators 

• Begging or stealing food

• Gorging when food is available

• Inability to eat when extremely hungry

• Alienated from peers; withdrawn, listless, and at risk of injury or harm pale, and thin

• Aggressive behaviour

• Delinquent acts, for example, vandalism, drug and alcohol abuse

• Little positive interaction with parent/caregiver

• Appearing miserable or irritable

• Poor socialising habits

• Poor evidence of bonding, little stranger

• anxiety

• Indiscriminate with affection

• Poor, irregular or non-attendance at school or kindergarten/child care

• Staying at school long hours

• Self–destructive

• Dropping out of school

• Taking on an adult role of caring for parent

Family violence

Family violence is defined as violence (either actual or threatened) which occurs within a family including physical, verbal, emotional, psychological, sexual, financial or social abuse. Where there are strong indicators that incidents of family violence are placing children at significant risk or danger, Child Protection must be informed. Family violence is a criminal offence and can be liable to prosecution.

Physical Indicators 

• Speech disorders

• Delays in physical development

• Bruises or welts on facial areas and other areas of the body, including back, bottom, legs, arms and inner thighs. Any bruises or welts in unusual configurations, or those that look like the object used to make the injury, for example, fingerprints or handprints, buckles, iron, teeth

• Fractures of the skull, jaw, nose and limbs, especially those not consistent with the explanation offered or with the type of injury probable/possible at the child’s age and development

• Cuts and grazes to the mouth, lips, gums, eye area, ears, and external genitalia

• Multiple injuries, old and new

• Internal injuries 

 Behavioural Indicators 

• Overly compliant, shy, withdrawn, passive and uncommunicative

• Failure to thrive (without an organic cause)

• Extremely demanding, aggressive, attention seeking behaviour

• Anti-social, destructive behaviour

• Low tolerance or frustration

• Showing wariness or distrust of adults

• Demonstrated fear of parents and of going home

• Becoming very passive and compliant

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Criminal activity

Most children and young people are adequately cared for and nurtured by their families. It is only when parents, carers or guardians are unable or unwilling to protect their children from significant harm that Child Protection may intervene.

A key objective of the CYFA is to create an integrated child protection and family service system that supports vulnerable children, young people and their families. There is now the option of referring a matter to Child FIRST.

There are many factors within family life that may adversely affect children’s safety, stability and development. For detailed information on definitions of abuse and indicators of harm.

The following information provides basic guidance on how to decide whether to make a report to Child Protection or Child FIRST.

Protective Concerns

You are concerned about a child because you have:

• received a disclosure from a child about abuse or neglect

• observed indicators of abuse or neglect

• been made aware of possible harm via your involvement in the community external to your professional role.

At all times

• record your observations

• follow appropriate protocols

• consult notes and records

• consult with appropriate colleagues if necessary

• consult with other support agencies if necessary

Robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures will be follow strictly, revised and update on quarterly basis. The Designated Welfare Officer will be responsible to update the polices after discussing them with all concerned and provide appropriate workshops and training for all coaches, Clubs and volunteers. 

The 12th Player has endorsed the Policy. All members of The 12th Player and partners MUST agree, understand and sign the Policy when joining the organisation.

All Policies and procedures will be reviewed and updated if deemed necessary on a quarterly basis to promote best practice and to align with all government procedures and policies. 

Getting the essentials in place 

Every soccer club and youth soccer organisation must have a Safeguarding Children policy. For that policy to be effective members need to understand what it means and how it is integrated into daily soccer activities. A Safeguarding Children policy is the foundation of a well-run and effective football club or soccer school. By signing up to The 12th Player Safeguarding Children Policy as well understanding and implementing the key policies and procedures outlined by The 12th Player.

 Policies check list: 

• Safeguarding Children Policy (Yes) 

• Selection and recruitment policy (Yes) 

• A whistle-blowing policy 

• Health and safety policy (TBC) 

• Anti-bullying policy (TBC) 

• Equality policy (TBC) 

• Codes of conduct for coaches, players, officials and parents/spectators (Yes) 

 
RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFEGUARDING IN SOCCER 

We all have a moral and legal responsibility for the safety and protection of children and young people within soccer. However, there are people designated at every level of the game who take additional responsibility for Safeguarding Children with the aim of making soccer as safe as possible for all concerned.  

The title ‘designated person’ is an umbrella term that applies to all individuals that are nominated or appointed by clubs, soccer schools and youth leagues. The designated person for Safeguarding Children should be clearly identified in every soccer setting. Every designated person holds a position of significant responsibility.  The 12th Player requires that all designated persons are perceived as being approachable, having a child-centred approach and the ability to maintain this perspective when carrying out their role. 

Understanding of our roles in the process 

To ensure correct understanding and proper implementation of our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, all members of our organisation should clearly understand their roles. To clarify the process and ensure the proper training and understanding for all involved.  

Involvement 

In the process of creating our The 12th Player Safeguarding Policies and Procedures we have asked for opinion and discussed in details the best practices of our partner organisations, parents, youth members and community leaders, so we could have all appropriate parties involved in creating and also implementing such policy. 

These discussions have been ongoing and will continue to be to gain a better understanding of the policies and procedures outlined by the government and governing bodies each year.  

Appropriate actions in any case of abuse or inappropriate behaviour 

 In event of any abuse, ALL appropriate actions will be taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our children and youth members and adults! It means we consider safeguarding as the paramount to everything we do! Everyone who witness any form of abused MUST take an action by raising or disclosing his/her concern to our Designated Welfare Officer and all other authorities described later in our organisation referral process! The referrals can be made on the phone or in writing based on the circumstances. All referrals should be submitted to our Designated Welfare Officer and all details and information on it will be kept confidential! All detailed and accurate records of all referrals will be maintained properly and securely stored. 

Employment and deployment of unsuitable individuals 

All coaches, officials and volunteers in our organisation prior to their involvement will be interviewed and their reference letters will be checked for accuracy. Minimum of three referrals should be submitted prior to interview with the Designated Welfare Officer. In addition, all 

officials and coaches in our organisation MUST clear a criminal record check and fill out and sign the appropriate paperwork related to it. Please see the form at the end of this document.

 All paperwork will be kept confidential and safely stored by the Designated Welfare Officer of our organisation. The main purpose of such action is to ensure that ONLY individuals with proper attitude, behaviour, and clear understanding of children and youth people safeguarding needs can join our organisation and contribute to the wellbeing of all involved.

To insure quality in Safeguarding our children, all new employees, works and volunteers MUST take a training course with our WO at the time of joining The 12th Player. The 12th Player current employees will be trained on all Safeguarding policies and procedures at least once a year. It is part of our academy Safeguarding policies and procedures twice a year to reassess all training grounds, facilities, transportation and accommodation when it is part of the training programs we offer and to take actions to improve the standard of Safeguarding.

In addition, all officials and coaches of our organisation MUST clear a criminal record check and fill and sign the appropriate paperwork. All paperwork will be kept confidential and safely stored by the Designated Welfare Officer. 

 The main purpose of such action is to insure that ONLY individuals with proper attitude, behaviour, and clear understanding of children and youth people safeguarding needs can join our organisation and contribute to the wellbeing of all involved. 

All current and future members are trained by our WO on safeguarding policies and procedures and how to respond in case of any poor practices or child abuse. 

All training happens on the first day of new employees’ enrolment as well all other members mandatory participation in Safeguarding children refresher course designed and delivered by the WO on yearly basis. 

All children and their parents receive emails outlining the policies and COC via and email prior to registering on one of our courses. This information keeps all parents informed on our school Safeguarding policies. 

To insure the best possible access to information and support to our youth members and their families, we have adopted an “open door” approach which allows all members to have 24 hours’ access to this information and support through our WO as well all other internal and external professional and volunteer organisations. 

In addition, we keep a list with criminal record checks of ALL our employees and volunteers as well their references securely stored.

Every three years all employees and volunteers are checked once again to insure they are all clear and in good standings. Such checks are recorded, monitored and stored securely. 

The 12th Player the safety of our players and all involved is our main priority, it is also our right to cancel any already planned activities in case our risk assessment of the training grounds and facilities or any other reasons is too significant. 

Youth Players 

It is important everyone behaves themselves when playing football. As a player, you have a big part to play. When playing football, I will: 

• Always do my best, even if we’re losing or the other team is stronger 

• Play fairly – I won’t cheat, complain or waste time 

• Never be rude to my team-mates, the other team, the referee, spectators or my coach/team manager 

• Do what the referee tells me 

• Shake hands with the other team and referee at the end of the game 

• Listen to my coach/team manager and respect what he/she says 

• Talk to someone I trust, for example my parents or the club welfare officer if I’m unhappy about anything at my club. 

Spectators 

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game. Our school supports the Football Federation Australia and its Affiliated State Federation’s Codes of Conduct for spectators and Parents/Carers at all times.  I will: 

• Remain outside the field of play and behind the Designated Spectator Area (where provided) 

• Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour 

• Always respect the match officials’ decisions 

• Applaud effort and good play as well as success 

In addition, when attending youth games I will: 

• Remember that children play for FUN 

• Let the coaches do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do 

• Encourage the players to respect the opposition and match officials 

• Never criticise a player for making a mistake-mistakes are part of learning!  

Coaches 

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game. I will: 

• Show respect to others involved in the game including match officials, opposition players, coaches, managers, officials and spectators 

• Adhere to the Laws of the Game 

• Display and promote high standards of behaviour 

• Always respect the match officials’ decisions 

• Never enter the field of play without the referee’s permission 

• Never engage in public criticism of the match officials 

• Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour. 

When working with players, I will: 

• Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything, including winning 

• Explain exactly what I expect of players and what they can expect from me 

• Ensure the parents/carers of all players under the age of 18 understand these expectations 

• Refrain from, and refuse to tolerate any form of bullying 

• Develop mutual trust and respect with every player to build their self-esteem 

• Encourage each player to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance 

• Ensure all activities I organise are appropriate for the players’ ability level, experience, age and maturity 

• Co-operate fully with others in football (e.g. officials, doctors, physiotherapists, welfare officers) for each player’s best interests 

In the process to train and educate our children and youth players we all, parents, coaches, and volunteers have the obligation to train and educate our youth in safe environment. 

To do so, all coaches and volunteers MUST pass our hiring criteria and participate actively in the training courses designed and present to all of us by our school Designated Welfare Officer (WO).

In case of any complain related to poor practices or child abuse all involved must be clear on our school policy and procedures in such cases and how to deal and what steps to follow if such situation arises. 

Because different kind of events may hurt our youth, we all should know what to avoid in our interaction with the kids and activities involved. In addition, we need to recognise and avoid including age inappropriate activities, over training and though unrealistic expectation being placed on them. 

The training with our WO will help employees, workers and volunteers to recognise additional risk some children and young people are exposed to due to their race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, social background or culture. 

Recognising unsafe situations related to training grounds, facilities and environmental challenges is also decisive to keep our youth physically healthy.