1. Our Safeguarding Responsibilities

Essendon Football Club (EFC or the Club) have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of child abuse, harm, mistreatment or exploitation (Child Abuse or Harm). The Club is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people in our care who access EFC activities, programs, services or facilities, by fostering a culturally safe environment where children and young people feel safe and welcome.

Essendon Football Club (EFC or the Club) engages with children and young people (under 18 years) (Children & Young People) through a wide variety of sporting, cultural and educational activities, events, services and programs, including servicesand activities delivered by the Club.

Our Safeguarding Policy and supporting documents seek to promote and protect the rights of all children in our care and prevent abuse from occurring by fostering a child safe culture. In the event a concern or allegation is raised in relation to child abuse that has occurred under the Club’s care, EFC will ensure it is treated seriously, in a culturally sensitive manner and fully investigated in accordance with relevant legislation and the Club’s Policy and Procedures.

2. Our commitment

As part of our commitment to the safety of Children & Young People that we work with, and in accordance with Victorian Child Safety Standards, we will maintain a child safe and inclusive culture by:

  • ensuring that child safety is reflected in our Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Children and Young People policies and supporting documents and broader People & Culture policies and procedures which are accessible and communicated to EFC People;
  • enforcing the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policies, which includes setting clear standards of behaviour for our people and holding them to account if they fail to adhere to those standards;
  • considering and respecting the diversity of Children & Young People’s circumstances and backgrounds including the needs of:
  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People; and/or
  • Children & Young People from culturally linguistic and religious backgrounds; and/or
  • Children & Young People who have a disability; and/or
  • Children & Young People with diverse sexuality and/or genders.
  • maintaining robust recruitment and screening practices when appointing new people to ensure safety of Children & Young People is the paramount consideration;
  • training and educating our people on keeping Children & Young People safe, including identifying Child Abuse or Harm risks and our reporting procedures;
  • taking proactive steps to prevent Child Abuse or Harm by identifying risks early so that they can be removed or reduced;
  • ensuring Children & Young People feel empowered to act and respond if they feel unsafe or concerned about their wellbeing;
  • fostering a culture of openness that supports all people to safely disclose risks of Child Abuse or Harm to Children & Young People to appropriate People Managers, including the Executive General Manager – People & Culture (or their delegate);
  • establishing a clear procedure that provides for Children & Young People and our people to know who to, and how to, report any incident affecting the safety or wellbeing of Children & Young People;
  • treating each allegation and safety concern very seriously, and dealing with it fairly, appropriately and confidentially in accordance with our Children & Young People policies;
  • contacting authorities in accordance with applicable laws when we are concerned about a Child or Young Person’s safety;
  • sharing information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of Children & Young People is at risk;
  • actively seeking and acting upon the experience and feedback of Children & Young People and their families/guardian(s); and
  • regularly reviewing our Children & Young People Safety Policies and communicating any changes to our people.

If you have any questions or concerns about this Commitment, please contact the club at: Email: generalenquiries@essendonfc.com.au Phone: Phone: (03) 8340 2000