Child Safety Policy

Our Commitment

MSA Youth Academy Australia Inc. is committed to being a child-safe organisation. We believe that all children have the right to feel safe and protected at all times, and that safeguarding children is everyone's responsibility.

This policy applies to all MSA volunteers, leaders, contractors, and any person involved in MSA activities.

Working With Children Checks (WWCC)

In accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 (NSW):

• All MSA leaders and volunteers must hold a current, verified NSW Working With Children Check before commencing any role involving children.
• WWCC numbers and expiry dates are recorded and monitored by our administration team.
• Leaders with expired or unverified WWCCs are immediately stood down until compliance is restored.
• New volunteers cannot participate in any child-facing activities until their WWCC is verified.

Supervision & Ratios

• Children are supervised by at least two WWCC-cleared adults at all times during MSA activities.
• Leaders are never alone with a child in an enclosed space.
• Toileting of younger children (Explorers, 6–7) follows specific protocols with parental notification.
• Attendance is taken at the start and end of every session, with sign-in/sign-out by authorised parents or guardians.

Behavioural Standards for Leaders

All MSA leaders must:

• Treat all children with respect and dignity
• Use positive behaviour management strategies only
• Never use physical punishment or humiliation
• Maintain appropriate physical boundaries
• Not communicate privately with children via personal devices or social media
• Report any concerns about a child's safety or wellbeing immediately

Reporting Concerns

If any person (leader, parent, child, or community member) has a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child at MSA, they should:

1. Report immediately to the Group Leader or any trusted MSA leader
2. In an emergency, call 000 (Police/Ambulance)
3. For mandatory reporting, contact the NSW Child Protection Helpline: 132 111

All reports are treated confidentially and taken seriously. MSA will cooperate fully with any investigation by relevant authorities.

Risk Management

• Risk assessments are conducted for all venues, excursions, and camps before activities occur.
• First aid kits are available at all MSA sessions and events.
• At least one first-aid-trained leader is present at every session.
• Emergency procedures are in place and communicated to all leaders.
• Medical and allergy information for each child is accessible to relevant leaders during sessions.

Online Safety

• MSA does not facilitate direct communication between leaders and children via personal social media, messaging apps, or phone numbers.
• All official communications go through parents/guardians.
• Photos and videos of children are only shared with parental consent and in accordance with our media consent policy.

Policy Review

This Child Safety Policy is reviewed annually by the MSA Executive Committee. The latest version is always available on this page.

Key Contacts

MSA Youth Academy Australia Inc. · ABN 38 692 380 242 · Sydney, NSW, Australia