West Life Saving aims to empower athletes to serve our community as lifesavers and to develop leadership, decision-making skills and a team-oriented mind set. All while staying fit, developing resilience, and living a healthy lifestyle.
We are committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of all members and are dedicated to providing a safe environment for those participating in West Life Saving events.
As part of the community, each individual makes a commitment to actively encourage behaviours that promote a supportive and nurturing environment and contribute to the Royal Life Saving Australia mission to lead efforts to reduce drowning and increase swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills.
The main objective of the West Life Saving Member Protection Policy is to maintain responsible behaviour and the making of informed decisions by members and other participants in this club. It outlines our commitment to a person’s right to be treated with respect and dignity, and to be safe and protected from discrimination, harassment and abuse. Our policy informs everyone involved in our club of his or her legal and ethical rights and responsibilities and the standards of behaviour that are expected of them. It also covers the care and protection of children participating in our club’s activities.
A copy of our Member Protection Policy is located on the clubs Teamsapp.
The Member Protection Officer for West Life Saving is Eric Smith who you can contact at 0419 906731
In the event that you are unable to contact the above, you can contact us below.
Working With Children Check
The Working with Children Check (WWCC) is managed by the West Australian Department of Communities Screening Unit and involves a national criminal history check and review of findings of workplace misconduct.
The WWC Check aims to protect children by:
- deterring people from applying to work with children where they have a relevant charge or conviction on their criminal record that indicates they may harm a child;
- detecting new charges and convictions of those people who hold a current WWC Card and preventing them from continuing to engage in child-related work where their criminal record and behaviour indicates they may harm a child; and
- protecting children by creating awareness that child safety is a whole of community responsibility.
The result of a WWCC is either a clearance to work with children for three years, or a bar against working with children. Cleared applicants are subject to ongoing monitoring, and relevant new records may lead to the clearance being revoked.
All West Life Saving employees (over the age of 18 years) require a Working With Children Check if they are undertaking a child-related role. However, there are a number of exemptions, which are explained below.
Roles within Surf Life Saving constitute child-related work
Some of the roles within West Life Saving that require a WWCC include:
- Member Protection and Information Officers / Grievance Officers
- Committee Members
- Trainers, Assessors, Coaches and Officials
Exemptions for the Working With Children Check
The exemptions under the WWCC which are most relevant to West Life Saving include:
- Children (under the age of 18)
- Parents of Nipper and Youth members
West Life Saving 