Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) All sporting organisations such as LFC have a legal and moral responsibility to provide a safe sporting environment. The most important step in this process is to comply with the requirements of the Working With Children Check. To comply LFC must and does: 1. Register Your Club 3. Proof of ID and Reference Checks 4. Do you have Paid staff or coaches? - if so then you must conduct a background check THIS IS A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT FOR ALL CLUBS, ASSOCIATIONS AND BRANCHES WHO EMPLOY PAID COACHES AND ANY OTHER PAID STAFF WHO WORK WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS. FAILURE TO CONDUCT BACKGROUND CHECKS CAN INCUR SUBSTANTIAL FINES. For more information on these requirements visit www.dsr.nsw.gov.au
All Clubs and Associations in Football NSW have a Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO). This role was previously identified as Child Protection Officer (CPO) but changed in recent times to include other areas as well.
The role of the MPIO is to be the first point of contact with anyone with an enquiry or concern about a member protection issue. The MPIO is a sounding board for these concerns and can offer information on complaint resolution, policies and other aspects of the issue being discussed.
The MPIO does not offer advice, suggestions or recommendations and the MPIO does not investigate complaints or reports. It is the responsibility of the club (President and/or Executive) to decide who invesigates complaints or reports but it should never be the MPIO who conducts the investigation.
Member Protection encompasses several areas: Harassment, abuse, victimisation, racial vilification, child protection and bullying. Any matters outside of this scope are not member protection matters.
Child Protection Procedures
All clubs and associations must be registered as child related employers.
2. Prohibited Employment Declaration
All volunteers and paid employees at clubs, associations and branches who directly supervise children (Under 18 years) MUST sign a Prohibited Employment Declaration prior to being appointed to the position.
Once these forms are signed they are kept by the club for a period of 2 years. Random audits can occur so ensure forms are maintained in a secure and managable system.
Clubs and associations must check the proof of identification of all persons applying to coach, manage or work with children (in a voluntary or paid position).
What is a Child Related Position?
Coach, Manager, Trainer, Tour Coordinator & tour supervisor, Canteen Manager, guest coaches and any other persons who are likely to have individual or unsupervised contact with players under 18 years of age.
If a Club, Association or Branch employs a PAID COACH or other paid staff they must also ask all paid staff to sign a Background Check Consent form.
This form is then submitted by the club to the NSW Department of Sport & Recreation for checking. NSW DS&R will advise the club of the result of the background check.
