Every person and organisation has a legal duty of care to ensure that anyone who takes part in the organisation's programs or activities is protected from all reasonably foreseeable risks of harm. This is a common law responsibility that covers both action and inaction. Therefore, every committee member, manager, coach, staff member and volunteer has a role in providing children with a safe environment. In addition, each State/Territory has child protection laws specifying responsibilities for both organisations and individuals who work or have contact with children. These responsibilities apply to sport and include handling disclosures or suspicions of harm or abuse, and screening (for both paid and volunteer staff) and Working With Children Checks. Some States/Territories require that a risk management strategy be developed and implemented to ensure organisations have child safe environments. For example, in Queensland this requirement relates to a wide range of regulated employment categories, which include but are not limited to Sport and Active Recreation, Private Teaching, Coaching, Tutoring and Churches, and Clubs and Associations involving children. The purpose of these requirements is to implement employment practices and procedures that promote the well-being of children and protect them from harm. As there is no national legislation and child protection system, it is important to keep up to date with changes in child protection law in your State/Territory. The Australian Sports Commission provide a summary of child protection legislation for each State/Territory, including information on requirements for mandatory reporting and police checks and links to relevant agencies.
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