DRAFT
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE RISK MANAGEMENT
REPORTING PROCEDURES
Introduction
Seahawks GC Basketball recognises that children and young people are vulnerable members of the
community and that extra measures must be taken to protect and support them. Children and young people
can only be protected from harm if it is reported and dealt with quickly and effectively.
The following guidelines and procedures will ensure that all Seahawks GC Basketball personnel respond as
quickly as possible and in the best interests of the child, or young person under 18 years of age, when
disclosures or suspicions of harm are made.
As soon as possible upon commencing employment, all Seahawks GC Basketball employees and volunteers
will receive training in identifying risks of harm and handling disclosures, or suspicions of harm, or breaches
of the Seahawks GC Basketball Risk Management Strategy.
All employees and volunteers Seahawks GC Basketball are required to report disclosed or suspected harm
to either directly to the Department of Communities (Child Safety Services), or the Queensland Police
Service who will decide on an appropriate course of action.
Seahawks GC Basketball will only be involved in dealing with breaches of the Seahawks GC Basketball
Children and Young People Risk Management Strategy.
In a sense, concerns are handled in similar fashion to the Complaints Resolution Procedure, where External
body, in this case the Police or Child Safety Services deal directly with reports of suspicions or disclosures of
harm, while Seahawks GC Basketball deals with breaches of its Codes of Behaviour relating to this issue.
(This is not to say that Seahawks GC Basketball staff cannot intervene directly if they witness an act of harm
against a child or young person. In such instances, intervention is appropriate as long as it can be done
safely. If it is not safe to intervene the Police should be called. Development of a policy and procedure
relating to direct intervention would seem appropriate.)
Board members, managers, employees, volunteers and contractors must comply with the following
guidelines and procedures for:- reporting disclosures, allegations and/or suspicions of harm, and

- managing breaches of Seahawks GC Basket Ball Risk Management Strategy and Codes Of
Behaviour.
These guidelines include:
- a distinction between what is a disclosure, allegation or suspicion of harm, and what is a breach of
the risk management strategy
- clear directions in relation to how these issues will be managed by Seahawks GC Basketball,
including consequences for breaches, and
- clear directions on how all concerned parties will be supported in the instance of a breach or
allegation of harm to a child.
Definitions
Harm
Harm is defined under the Child Protection Act 1999 as “any detrimental effect of a significant nature on the
child’s physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing. For harm to be significant, the detrimental effect on the
child’s wellbeing must be substantial or serious, more than transitory and must be demonstrable in the child’s
presentation, functioning or behaviour”.
Harm may be categorised as follows:
- physical abuse, for example, beating, shaking, burning, biting, causing bruise or fractures by
inappropriate discipline, giving children alcohol, drugs or inappropriate medication
- emotional or psychological abuse, for example, constant yelling, insults, swearing, criticism, bullying,
not giving children positive support and encouragement
- neglect, for example, not giving children sufficient food, clothing, enough sleep, hygiene, medical
care, leaving children alone or children missing school, and
- sexual abuse or exploitation, for example, sexual jokes or touching, exposing children to sexual acts
or pornography or having sexual intercourse with a child or young person under 16 years of age (even
if the child appears to have consented).
Suspicion Of Harm
 Suspicion of harm relates to any concerns regarding significant changes in behaviour, or the presence
of new unexplained and suspicious injuries, of a child or young person.
Disclosure Of Harm
- A disclosure of harm occurs when someone, including a child, or young person tells you about
harm that has happened, or is likely to happen.
Breach of Risk Management Strategy
A breach is any action, or inaction by any member of Seahawks GC Basketball, including children and young
people, that fails to comply with any part of Seahawks GC Basketball’s child and youth risk management
strategy or Code of Behaviour.
In the first instance, any breach that results in significant harm to a child or young person needs to be
considered in terms of an allegation or suspicion of harm.
Guidelines for disclosures or suspicions of harm
Following are the actions the Seahawks GC Basketball person will take immediately following a disclosure or
suspicion of harm.
Reporting The Disclosure Or Suspicion Of Harm To Authorities
The person who receives a disclosure, or suspects harm must, in the first instance, contact the relevant
authority directly and provide comprehensive and accurate information regarding their concern.
Report the matter to:
- Department of Communities (Child Safety Services) on free call 1800 811 810, or
- Queensland Police Service (provide local contact details).
While Seahawks GC Basketball may be notified that a report has been made, in the interests of the
confidentiality and privacy of all parties only no details are to be provided.
Seahawks GC Basketball and the reporting person will not conduct any enquiries, or investigations, or
otherwise be involved in the matter reported to the Police or Child Safety Services.
Following a report, Seahawks Basketball will be advised by the relevant authority of the appropriate course
of action.
Managing Breaches
This plan outlines the steps to be taken following a breach of the child and youth risk management strategy
in order to address the breach in a fair and supportive manner.
All Seahawks GC Basketball board members, employees, volunteers, contractors, parents and carers and
children and young people must comply with this plan.
Definition
A breach is any action or inaction by any member of Seahawks GC Basketball, including children and young
people, that fails to comply with any part of the Seahawks GC Basketball Child and Youth Risk Management
Strategy. This includes any breach in relation to:
- statement of commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and the protection of children from
harm
- code of conduct relating to interacting with children and young people;
- procedures for recruiting, selecting, training and managing paid employees and volunteers
- policies and procedures for handling disclosures or suspicions of harm, including reporting
guidelines
- policies and procedures for implementing and reviewing the children and youth risk
management strategy and maintaining an employee register
- risk management plans for high risk activities and special events, and
- strategies for communication and support.
All stakeholders are to be made aware of the actions, or inactions that form a breach, as well as the potential
outcomes of breaching the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy.
Procedure to manage a breach of the child and youth risk management strategy
A determination needs to be made that a breach has occurred.
If it is determined through, investigation, that a breach has occurred, which has resulted in significant harm to
a child or young person, such a breach needs to be considered in terms of an allegation or suspicion of harm
and be referred directly to the appropriate authorities as outlined above.
Only breaches of Seahawks GC Basketball's Risk Management Strategy are to be handled internally as
follows.
Breaches will be managed in a fair, unbiased and supportive manner and be handled by a tribunal hearing.
The following will occur:
- all people concerned will be advised of the process
- all people concerned will be able to provide their version of events
- the details of the breach, including the versions of all parties and the outcome will be recorded
- matters discussed in relation to the breach will be kept confidential, and
- an appropriate outcome will be decided by the panel.
Suitable Outcomes For Breaches
Depending on the nature of the breach, outcomes may include:
- emphasising the relevant component of the child and youth risk management strategy, viz. the
Code Of Behaviour
- providing closer supervision
- further education and training
- mediating between those involved in the incident (where appropriate)
- disciplinary procedures if necessary, and
- reviewing current policies and procedures and developing
performance.
to improve risk management
NOTE: Detailed advice on definitions, the mechanics of receiving and documenting disclosure information,
documenting suspicions and breaches of the Codes of Behaviour, etc., will require more examination in the
light of the above guidelines and will provide the basis for training in the skills required to handle such
sensitive issues in an empathetic, sensitive and confidential manner.