NSW

Netball South West adopts England Netball’s policy on Child Protection.

"Organisations have a duty of care for young people and a responsibility to protect them from harm"
A child is defined as being under 18 years of age (The Children Act, 1989)

Netball South West recognises its responsibilities under the terms of the Race Relations Act 1976, Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Children Act 1989, the Protection of Children Act, 1999, the Disability Discrimination Act 1996 and the Human Rights Act, 1998. Every child who participates in Netball should be able to do so in a fun, safe environment and be protected from harm. Netball South West places the highest priority on their safety and enjoyment and recognises that they have a duty towards children within the sport and any member providing Netball opportunities must do so with the highest possible standard of care.

Netball South West has based its Duty of Care Guidelines on the following core values and principles:

Core Values

All young people's Netball experiences must be guided by what is best for that young person
Adults interacting with young people in Netball should do so with integrity and respect for the child
All young people's Netball should be conducted in an atmosphere of fair play.

Young peoples' Netball should be conducted in a safe, positive and encouraging atmosphere
Adults who take a responsibility for young people in Netball have a duty to ensure that they are competent to provide safe and rewarding experiences for those in their care, through appropriate training and education

Principles

The welfare of young people is paramount

All people, but especially young people, whatever their culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief or sexual identity, have the right to protection from abuse.

All incidents or poor practice, suspicions and allegations should be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

It is the responsibility of child protection experts to determine whether or not abuse has taken place, but it is everyone's responsibility to report any concerns.

Confidentiality should be upheld in line with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998. Young people have a lot to gain from Netball. Their natural sense of fun and spontaneity can blossom in positive sporting environments which promote progress in a child-centred way. Netball provides an excellent medium in which young people can learn new skills, become more confident and maximise their own unique potential.

Netball South West adopts England Netball’s policy on Equal Opportunities.

Netball South West has an ongoing commitment to treating people fairly.
No participant, volunteer, job applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, marital status, social class, colour, race, ethnic origin, creed or disability, or will be disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be relevant to performance.

Netball South West will:
(a) Adopt a planned approach to eliminating barriers, which discriminate against particular groups.
(b) Give clear guidance to individuals working within the Association, employed or as volunteers, on the commitment to equal opportunities.
(c) Recognise its legal obligations under:
The Race Relations Act
The Sex Discrimination Act
The Equal Pay Act
The Disability Discrimination Act.
(d) Continuously monitor and review the selection criteria and procedures in relation to participation and employment / appointment to ensure individuals are selected, promoted and treated solely on the basis of merits and abilities which are appropriate to the position.
(e) Promote personal development for all participants, volunteers and employees to support their progress within the Association and, where appropriate, provide specialised facilities, equipment and individual training.
(f) Fulfil its social responsibility towards its participants, volunteers and employees and the community in which it operates, ensuring that appropriate support is given during time of personal difficulties.
Direct discrimination is defined as treating a person less favourably than others are or would be treated in the same or similar circumstances.

Indirect discrimination occurs when a requirement or condition is applied which, whether intentional or not, adversely affects a considerably larger proportion of people of one race, sex or marital status than another and cannot be justified on grounds other than race, sex or marital status.

Netball South West regards discrimination, as described above, as gross misconduct and any employee of the Association, participant or volunteer who discriminates against any other person will be liable to appropriate disciplinary action.