Member Protection Framework

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FFA aims to ensure that core values, good reputation and positive behaviours and attitudes are maintained. This assists FFA in ensuring that every person involved in Football in Australia is treated with respect and dignity, and is safe and protected from abuse. FFA’s Member Protection Framework is an essential part of our organisation’s proactive and preventative approach to tackling inappropriate behaviour.

Football’s National Member Protection Policy

The FFA National Member Protection Policy (MPP) provides the procedures that support FFA’s commitment to eliminating discrimination, harassment, child abuse and other forms of inappropriate behaviour from Football. Further, it sets out codes of conduct and behaviour that form the basis of appropriate and ethical conduct by which everyone must abide.

You can access the MPP by clicking HERE

Member Protection Information Officers

A Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) is generally the first point of contact for persons with member protection or child protection enquiries or complaints. MPIOs provide information to participants about the options available to them. MPIOs can also provide information to clubs about member protection and related issues and policies. MPIO’s are impartial and generally do not mediate or investigate complaints.

Depending on what level your matter relates to, will affect which MPIO you should contact. Generally, if your concern relates to behavior or an incident which occurred at the:

(a) Club level or involves people operating at the club level, then the complaint should be reported to and handled by the relevant Club in the first instance;

(b) State level or involves people operating at the relevant state level, then the complaint should be reported to and handled by the relevant Member Federation in the first instance; and

Further, only the most serious cases from state level should be referred to FFA.

If you are having any difficulty finding the contact details of your Club’s or Association’s MPIO, you should contact your relevant Member Federation. To contact FFA’s MPIO, please email MPOEmail@ffa.com.au

Complaints Handling

Under the MPP, you will have various options as to how to lodge a complaint, including deciding whether you would like to lodge a formal or informal complaint. If you are unsure about how to deal with a complaint under the MPP, please contact your Club’s or Association’s MPIO in the first instance.

Working With Children Checks

Working with Children Checks aim to create a child-safe environment and to protect children and young people involved in our sport from physical and sexual harm.

They assess the suitability of people to work with children and young people and can involve:

(a) criminal history checks;

(b) signed declarations;

(d) other relevant background checks to assess a person’s suitability to work with children and young people.

Detailed information, including the forms required to complete a Working with Children Check, are available from the relevant agencies in each state and territory.

State/Territory	Details
Australian Capital Territory	Contact the Office of Regulatory Services Website: https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/1804/kw/Working%20with%20Children Phone: 02 6207 3000
New South Wales	Contact the Office of the Children’s Guardian Website: www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/check Phone: 02 9286 7276
Northern Territory	Contact the Northern Territory Screening Authority Website: https://nt.gov.au/emergency/community-safety/apply-for-a-working-with-children-clearance Phone: 1800 SAFE NT (1800 723 368)
Queensland	Contact the Queensland Government Blue Card Services Website: www.bluecard.qld.gov.au Phone: 1800 113 611
South Australia	Contact the Department for Education and Child Development Website: https://www.decd.sa.gov.au/child-protection/child-safe-environments Phone : 08 8463 6468. National Police Check: www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/apply-for-a-police-record-check DCSI Child Related Work Screening: http://www.dcsi.sa.gov.au/services/screening
Tasmania	Contact the Department of Justice Website: www.justice.tas.gov.au/working_with_children Phone: 1300 13 55 13
Victoria	Contact the Department of Justice Website: www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au Phone: 1300 652 879
Western Australia	Contact the Department for Child Protection Website: www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au Phone: 1800 883 979

Travelling to other states or territories

It is important to remember that when travelling to other states or territories, representatives of sporting organisations must comply with the legislative requirements of that particular state or territory.

In certain jurisdictions, temporary, time limited exemptions from working with children checks may be available for interstate visitors with a Working with Children Check in their home state.

The laws providing interstate exemptions are not consistent across Australia.

If an employee or volunteer for your organisation is travelling interstate to do work that would normally require a working for children check, you will need to check the relevant requirements of that state or territory.

Child Protection and Procedures for Handling Allegations of Child Abuse

The MPP provides details as to procedures which should apply in instances of allegations of Child Abuse.

Further, child protection legislation imposes obligations on organisations and participants in relation to reporting and screening processes. Currently, there is no national legislation and child protection system. However, each state and territory has child protection laws specifying responsibilities for both organisations and individuals who work or have contact with children.

Fact sheets on child protection and reporting allegations of child abuse in different states and territories are available at www.playbytherules.net.au

If you believe a child is in immediate danger or a life-threatening situation, you should contact the Police immediately.

Contact details for advice or to report an allegation of child abuse are:

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Police

Non-urgent police assistance

Ph: 131 444

www.afp.gov.au

Child and Youth Protection Services

https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/1804/kw/Working%20with%20Children

Ph: 1300 556 729

New South Wales

New South Wales Police