Welcome to the family

Lesson 1 – 20 minutes

Learning outcomes

• Develop an understanding of surf life saving in Australia.
• Identify the surf club as a welcoming place.
• Understand the basic principles of the SLSA Child Safe Policy (6.04) and SLSA Member Protection Policy (6.05)
  

Preparation

• Ensure the club is accessible for the club tour.
• Organise for the club Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) to explain and discuss the SLSA Child Safe Commitment Statement and associated policies to participants.
• Copies of the SLSA Child Safe Policy (6.04) and Member Protection Policy (6.05).
• Whiteboard and markers (optional).
  

IMPORTANT

If you are not confident discussing the personal safety topics in this lesson, identify and bring in somebody who can help, i.e. teacher, club captain, club president, police officer etc.

Discuss

• Welcome all the participants and parents to the junior program and surf club.
• Introduce (from those available) the main people involved in running the junior program or the club.
• Discuss some of the history of surf life saving in Australia and in particular the history of your club – include any interesting facts you might know.
  

Activity 1

• Take your group of participants and parents on a tour of the surf club and surrounding environment.
• Point out areas of interest and importance at your Surf Club e.g. showers/toilets, club hall, equipment shed, patrol room, IRB room, first aid room etc.
• Finish the tour by setting the boundaries for junior activities around the surf club and beach.
  

Discuss

In a quiet place away from distractions, sit participants down and discuss with them the Child Safe and Member Protection Policy:

1. What is a policy? (A policy is a document or statement that guides behaviour).
2. What is the Member Protection Policy? (A document that aims to look after and protect all SLSA members).
3. What is the Child Safe Policy? (A document that protects the safety and welfare of children & young people in SLS)
4. What does it say? (It sets out the ‘guidelines’ for how to act as a member of SLSA).
5. Why is it important? (So every member feels safe and enjoys their time in surf life saving).
6. What does it mean to the participants? (a safe environment to learn about surf life saving)
7. What does it mean to the parents? (that their children are in a safe and inclusive environment)
8. What does it mean to the surf club? (that they are providing an environment that is safe and inclusive for all)
   

Have participants ask questions and discuss any issues arising from the discussions on the policy. Highlight the following points:

1. Protection for them and their friends (this is what the policy is all about).
2. Unacceptable behavior (ask for examples).
3. Warning signs (how do you know when you or someone else might be breaching one or both policies?).
4. Reporting of person(s) (who and how to tell someone about a breach of the policy(s), that relates to junior members):
   1. Who acts directly against this policy(s)
   2. Who brings surf life saving and/or SLSA into disrepute
   3. Who discriminates against or harasses any person
   4. Who victimises another person for reporting a complaint
   5. Who makes a complaint that is known to be untrue, mean or rude
5. Discuss the potential consequences if found to have breached SLS policy(s):
   1. Be subject to a club investigation
   2. Making a verbal or written apology.
   3. Membership suspended or de-registered
   4. Serious criminal breaches will be referred to state/territory law enforcement agencies

*AGE MANAGER TIPS

Encourage all participants to discuss their ideas.
Give participants time to discuss choices as a group. Invite parents to participate in the lesson.

To report breaches of policy go to http://complaints.sls.com.au/