Long Reef SLSC Member Protection
Code of Conduct, Member Protection and Complaints Handling at Long Reef SLSC
In relation to issues relating to member protection, child protection, member code of conduct and complaints handling, Long Reef SLSC is governed by the current policies and procedures of our national governing body Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) – for further details see the SLSA Member Protection Policy.
Each club has a group of dedicated volunteers who look after member protection issues. These include Member Protection Information Officers (MPIO), the Complaints Manager and Child Safe Coordinator.
Reporting Concerns
In the first instance, members of SLSA can reach out to one of our MPIOs: MPIO@longreef.com. Long Reef SLSC has 2 MPIOs (one male, one female). The MPIO is available to provide advice to all members who may have an issue, concern or grievance at Long Reef SLSC and is the first point of contact for any member wishing to raise a concern, issue or grievance, or wanting to talk things over and know what their options are.
If the issue cannot be resolved by talking with a MPIO, then you can lodge a formal complaint using the SLS Complaints Online Reporting System. The Complaints Manager for Long Reef SLSC will work through the complaint and carry out the appropriate actions according to the SLSA Complaints Resolution policy.
We understand that in a community organisation where everyone knows each other, potential conflicts of interest can arise. We want all our members to feel able to raise any concerns they have. Please advise when you contact the club if you have any concerns regarding a conflict of interest.
Meet our MPIOs
The MPIOs at Long Reef SLSC are Patrick Dagassan and Julia MacDonald. You can talk to them directly at the club or contact them via MPIO@longreef.com.
What is an MPIO?
MPIOs don’t handle complaints or investigate grievances, and they don’t mediate between members or stakeholders. They’re also separate from the Complaints Manager or any other authority regarding complaints, disputes, and resolutions in surf lifesaving. MPIOs are an impartial party who are there to help guide people in the right direction if they have an issue or concern of any kind and want to talk it over and know what their options are.
The safety of our nipper and cadet community, volunteers, members, patrollers and officials is central to our goal to provide enjoyable and rewarding SLS experiences. Long Reef SLSC has a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of bullying, abuse, harassment, discrimination or victimisation. This is set out in the SLSA Member Protection Code of Conduct, which at its heart requires all members to treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.
If anything happens to you, or you see or hear something that doesn’t seem OK, Our MPIOs can listen to you, triage issues, and help you find the right place to resolve any concerns you may have, whether it’s lodging a complaint or checking on your rights and responsibilities as a member of Long Reef SLSC. MPIOs are there to listen to issues raised by members before referring them to the right place to find a resolution.
Our MPIOs have completed their MPIO training and are ready to help make our club more inclusive, safe, and fair.
Working With Children Check (WWCC)
Long Reef SLSC takes Member Protection very seriously, and requests that all its registered members and participants who fall into any of the following groups provide a current Working with Children Check Number, to be recorded and verified, to admin@longreef.com.
1. All Age Group Managers and key helpers at Nippers and Cadets regardless of whether their child is participating or not.
2. All Water Safety personnel who assist where Under 18s are participating, including after-hours and off-season training of members.
3. Coaches, sweeps, training buddies, Education Trainers and Assessors 18y+.
5. Shore School Masters, trainers and key helpers 18y+.
SLSNSW Working with Children Check Requirements
Child Safe Coordinator
The Child Safe Coordinator role is dedicated to improving the safety of children and young people in Surf Life Saving by sharing and actioning child safe information distributed by SLSNSW at a club/branch level. This role is currently filled by Long Reef’s Deputy President (DP), Nina Kovach. She has been working in a Children’s services environment for over 10 years. Nina is qualified in Child Protection, has completed SLS Child Safe Awareness training and has also completed the SLS Child Safe workshop in Oct 2022. If you’d like to contact Nina, she is available at childprotection@longreef.com.
See these links to access:
Long Reef’s Child Safe Actions
Member Protection Code of Conduct
Long Reef SLSC and its members are committed to the safety and wellbeing of every child and young person who takes part in our activities, programs, events or services. We will work to create an environment in which children and young people always feel safe and are safe. Our Club recognises the importance of protecting young people under the age of 18 from abuse, harm and exploitation. It is everyone’s responsibility to treat children and young people respectfully and within the Child Protection Laws and the SLSA Child Safe Policy. The Child Safe Code of Conduct applies to all members and associated parties as outlined in the Child Safe Policy.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Officer
As part of SLSNSW’s commitment to positive mental health, a new Mental Health & Wellbeing Champions program was created. All NSW surf lifesaving clubs were approached to put forward suitable candidates, who following a qualifying interview, were then trained on-line and during face-to-face workshops. As a result, Patrick Dagassan, is our Club’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Officer. His role is to advocate and promote a positive mental health environment, initiate, establish and maintain positive relationships with members and respond to disclosures of mental health concerns, connecting members with support. To contact Patrick, please drop him a line at mentalhealth@longreef.com.