The purpose of these Child Safety Guidelines is to promote child safety within the Preston Bullants Junior Football Club (PBJFC) “the Club”.

Any form of abusive, derogatory, discriminatory, offensive or intimidating behaviour or language by adults towards minors, or minors towards other minors, is not acceptable.

Any action that may be hurtful or risk being interpreted by a reasonable observer as grooming behaviour is unacceptable. Comments or actions that are negatively and unreasonably critical of a person’s culture, ethnicity, language, gender identity, disability, sexuality or age, are unacceptable.

Committee members, volunteers, coaches and parents/guardians of players at the PBJFC are bound by, and required to abide to, the Code of Conduct and these Guidelines.

These actions are prohibited and may, depending on the specific circumstances, constitute Misconduct:

1. ignore or disregard any suspected or disclosed child abuse;
2. put a minor at risk of abuse;
3. speak to a minor in a way that is or could be construed by any observer as overly harsh, threatening, intimidating, shaming, derogatory, demeaning, or humiliating. Some examples are offensive swearing in the presence of a child/young person, or intimidatory language and gestures directed at a child/young person;
4. express inappropriate personal views on cultures, race or sexuality in the presence of a minor;
5. discuss sexual activities or engaging in any sexually-oriented conversations with a minor (unless it is a specific job requirement and the person is trained to discuss these matters)
6. have contact with a minor outside of Club activities or events without the consent of the minor  parent/guardian;
7. have any online contact with a minor (including by social media, email, instant messaging etc.)
8. exchange personal contact details such as phone number, social networking sites or email addresses with a minor;
9. using, possessing, or being under the influence of illegal drugs while in the presence of a minor;
10. using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol while supervising a minor (unless the minor is a member of your family or your contact with the minor is accidental/incidental and you are not performing your professional obligations);
11. providing or allowing a minor to consume illegal drugs;
12. discriminate against any minor, including because of age, gender, race, culture, vulnerability, sexuality, ethnicity or disability;
13. engage in rough physical games (outside of what is reasonably considered appropriate in a Club training session), hold, massage, kiss, cuddle or touch a minor in an inappropriate and or/culturally insensitive way;
14. take a minor to their home or encourage meetings outside Club activities or events (unless the child is a member of your family or parental permission has been provided);
15. photograph or video a minor inappropriately, or in circumstances where you have been requested to cease;
16. being naked in the presence of a minor (unless the minor is a member of your family);
17. possess sexually oriented or morally inappropriate printed materials (magazines, cards, videos, films, messages, clothing, etc.) in the presence of a minor;
18. sleep in the same bed, sleeping bag or tent with a minor;
19. engage in sexual contact with a minor.

Any violation of these by a committee member, volunteer, employee, coach, manager, player, parent or guardian or other Club Associate will be subject to investigation and may be dealt with as a disciplinary matter by the Club.

Coaches, officials, volunteers and parents are prohibited from using physical discipline in any way for behaviour management of minors. This prohibition includes spanking, slapping, pinching, hitting, or any other physical force as retaliation or correction for inappropriate behaviours by minors.

Physical contact may be required in an emergency situation to remove minors quickly from danger or threat of danger.

Appropriate contact between coaches, officials, volunteers, parents and minors is part of normal human relationships. Some considerations and guidelines include the following:

1. consider the minor's age, developmental level, maturity and level of care required, for example, touching a minor to gain their attention, guiding or comforting a distressed minor;
2. work in an open environment; for example, in one-to-one discussions indoors the door should be open with visual access;
3. be alert to cues from minors about how comfortable they are in your proximity and respect their need for personal space;
4. be sensitive when interacting with minors who may misinterpret your actions, such as those who may have been traumatised by abuse or adolescents seeking attention from a member of the opposite sex;
5. be aware of cultural norms that may influence the interpretation of your behaviour;
6. be cautious about physical contact in training or during matches. If you need to make physical contact for demonstrations, explain the activity and what you will do, maintain a safe and appropriate distance;
7. physical contact should be made in a way that makes minors feel comfortable, for example, shaking hands, a congratulatory pat on the back or rub on the side of their arm for reassurance. Massaging a minor if you are not trained to do so or allowing a child to massage you is inappropriate physical contact.

Other than in an emergency or other abnormal situation where no other option could be reasonably foreseen, it is unwise to transport children without permission of their parent, carer or guardian.

It is prohibited to have unnecessary and/or inappropriate physical contact with minors while in vehicles. Minors should be transported directly to their destination. No stops should be made other than those that are reasonably scheduled for meals or comfort stops.

It is prohibited to have minors spend the night at the residence of a committee member, volunteer or coach, without prior approval from the parent/guardian.

Changing and showering facilities or arrangements for adults must be separate from facilities or arrangements for children (unless the child is a member of your family).

These Guidelines will be reviewed biannually and we undertake to seek views, comments and suggestions from children, parents, carers, officials and volunteers involved in the Club.