Member Protection

Child Safety and Working with Children Checks Overview

We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all Children and Young People who are involved in lifesaving. Our policies and guidelines seek to address risks to child safety and to establish child safe culture and practices in line with the Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

 Every adult member is required to have a Working With Children Check, especially our Active Members (Patrollers and Age Managers) who interact with Juniors in our club.

It’s everyone’s responsibility at Port Melbourne LSC to understand and comply with SLSA’s child safe policies and guidelines. 

 All active members must complete the Child Safety Training before engaging in club Activities.

Please review SLS and LSV Child safety resources.

Surf Life Saving Australia

Life Saving Victoria

Emergency Situation 

If you or someone you care about is in danger right now, please call 000 and ask for the Police. If you are not sure if it is an emergency but would like to speak with the Police, please call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444. 

Member Protection and Information Officer (MPIO)

The Member Protection and Information Officer (MPIO) at Port Melbourne Life Saving Club (PMLSC) plays a vital role in providing information and guidance on complaints and procedures. The MPIO is the first point of contact within the club for any inquiries, concerns, or complaints about harassment, abuse, or other inappropriate behaviour.

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These behaviours may involve:

• A member’s actions toward another member,

• A member’s behaviour toward someone in the community, or

• A community member raising concerns about a PMLSC member’s behaviour.
   

The MPIO offers information on potential ways to address and resolve the issue while supporting both the person raising the concern and the individual involved in the alleged behaviour. All matters are handled with the utmost confidentiality (including from members of the PMLSC Committee).

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If you would like to bring a situation to our attention, we encourage you to contact us confidentially. Depending on the nature of the concern, we may ask you to submit a formal letter outlining the details and evidence of the situation. The MPIO will then conduct an investigation and take appropriate actions to reach a resolution.

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Complaints handling procedures

At Port Melbourne Life Saving Club (PMLSC), we are committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. Below is an outline of our complaints handling procedures:

• Resolving Differences: Members are encouraged to resolve differences directly with one another in the first instance.

• Contacting the MPIO: If unsuccessful, members should contact the club’s Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) through the club’s dispute resolution process.

• Serious Consideration: All complaints are taken seriously. However, complaints found to be vexatious, malicious, or frivolous may result in disciplinary action against the complainant.

• Procedural Fairness: All parties involved will be afforded procedural fairness throughout the process.

• Confidentiality: Complaints will be treated with strict confidentiality. Breaches of confidentiality may result in disciplinary action.

• Timely Resolution: Complaints will be addressed in a timely manner, depending on the circumstances.

• Courtesy and Respect: Complaints will be handled in a courteous and respectful manner. Any person lodging a complaint will not be victimised.

• Escalation to LSV: If a complaint cannot be resolved within the club, or if the complainant is uncomfortable due to the nature, seriousness, or complexity of the issue, the complaint will be referred to Life Saving Victoria (LSV).

For more details on formal complaints handling, refer to:

• LSV’s Member Protection Complaints Handling Process

• SLSA’s Member Protection Policy (June 2024)
   

Meet Our MPIO: Alexandra

PMLSC has appointed Alexandra as our Member Protection and Information Officer (MPO). Alexandra is the first point of contact for concerns or complaints regarding harassment, abuse, or other inappropriate behaviour.

The MPO’s role includes:

• Providing guidance and information on possible resolutions.

• Offering moral support to both the complainant and the person involved in the alleged behaviour.

• Confidentiality: All information shared with the MPIO is treated with the utmost confidentiality.

• For confidential inquiries, please email memberprotection@portmelblsc.com.au to obtain Alexandra’s contact details.