Volunteer Protection

Volunteer protection is an integral part of the management and running of clubs and associations. Volunteer protection includes the child protection, risk management and behaviour management. Organisations and individuals providing regulated child-related services are responsible for fostering safe service environments for children.

Blue cards: All volunteers (coaches, officials, administrators etc.) in Queensland should obtain a blue card via the Commission for Children and Young People before coming into contact with children.

In the litigious society we now live in, it is more important than ever before that volunteers, coaches and officials are aware of all aspects of risk management associated with their roles. In addition, managing the behaviour of players, coaches, officials and spectators can be one of the most challenging aspects of the role of volunteers and staff.

The various resources listed below may assist you protect your staff and volunteers. Access specific information relating to:

Volunteer Protection

Read more about Volunteer Protection at the following websites:

Resource	Description
Blue Cards Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian	Information and forms on Blue Card applications and requirements.
Risk management strategies for child protection Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian	Online Manual for developing a Risk Management Policy. Mandatory to have a policy from 1 January 2007.
Guidelines for working with children (PDF) Play by the Rules	A summary of tips for coaches or anyone working with children to protect them from risks and help keep children safe.
Child Protection for coaches Australian Sports Commission	A fact-sheet summary of tips for coaches on how to protect children.

Insurance

Read more about Insurance at the following websites:

Resource	Description
Volunteer Risk Management and Insurance (PDF) Volunteering Queensland	A popular resource offered by Volunteering Queensland offering information on keeping your volunteers safe and insured.
Safety and Risk Management for Officials Australian Sports Commission	Detailed description of saftey and risk management principles and procedures for officials. Includes a printable fact sheet.
Responsible Service of Alcohol Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation	A new framework for the delivery of responsible service of Alcohol training in Queensland was introduced on 1 July 2009.
Insurance Volunteers Vital Pack Volunteering Australia	AON, in conjunction with Volunteering Australia, has worked to develop a product called Volunteers Vital Pack Summary of Insurance Cover for Charitable, Not for Profit, Voluntary Organisations & Organisations that involve Volunteers.

Behaviour Management

Read more about Behaviour Management at the following websites:

Resource	Description
Positive or it's pointless Department of Communities (Sport and Recreation Services)	Positive or it's pointless is all about encouraging positive behaviour in junior sporting environments.
Keeping sport fun and safe (PDF) Sport and Recreation Victoria	Codes of behaviour for user friendly junior sport clubs.
Managing bad behaviour (PDF) Play by the Rules	A brochure of tips on how your club can manage bad behaviour.
Managing sports rage Sport and Recreation New Zealand	Provides a range of tools to help clubs get rid of sport rage.
Drug and alcohol management assistance Australian Drug Foundation	Good Sports is an Australian Drug Foundation initiative that helps community sporting clubs manage alcohol responsibly and reduce alcohol problems such as binge drinking and underage drinking. The program aims to develop safer, healthier communities by assisting community sporting clubs.
Managing discrimination Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland	Access information brochures on types of unfair treatment and complaint processes within Queensland.
Fact sheet on sports rage (PDF) Australian Sports Commission	Fact sheet on managing behaviour and conflict in sport.

Behaviour management tools and templates

Resource	Description
Behaviour management training Play by the Rules	Free online training for administrators, coaches and officials and players about their rights and responsibilities under discrimination and child protection laws.
Positive or it's pointless: Resources for clubs Department of Communities (Sport and Recreation Services)	Resources to promote the Positive or it's pointless messages to players, parents, spectators, officials, coaches and volunteers.