Child Protection and Risk Management Policy

Townsville Bushwalking Club

Child Protection and Risk Management Policy 

Ratified 8^th September 2025

1. Rationale 
2. The Townsville Bushwalking Club is an inclusive club, with a desire to ensure that an appreciation of bushwalking and the outdoors is available to a wide range of people, including children and young families. 
3. The club voted at the AGM of 23^rd June 2025 to allow children under 18 and over 12 as club members.
4. The Townsville Bushwalking Club, and all individual members of the club, have a legal and moral responsibility to create an environment where any children participating in an activity will be safe from any form of abuse, and where the risk of injury is minimised.

2. Intent

The intent of the Townsville Bushwalking Club and of this policy is to:

1. Include children over the age of 12 years and under 18 years in club events, subject to the requirements of this policy;
2. Maximize child protection and minimize risk to children on club events;
3. Ensure that the safety, welfare, and well-being of children is maintained at all times during their participation in club events;
4. Comply with all relevant child protection legislation in Queensland and Australia;
5. Comply with the Townsville Bushwalking Club risk management framework;
6. Provide general guidance to the following persons, and inform them of the requirements and protocols for allowing children to participate in club events:
   1. Parents and guardians accompanying a child on a club event;
   2. Event leaders;
   3. Club members.
7. Review this policy when required in response to changes in legislation or in insurance requirements, or for other reasons.
8. General Requirements:

Any club member or temporary member under the age of 18 years and over the age of 12 years (a child) is allowed on club events only if compliant with the following conditions:

1. The explicit consent of the event leader;
2. Accompanied by a legal parent or guardian;
3. The parent or guardian has completed the Acknowledgement of Risk form, including the sections relevant to children;
4. Subject to the specific requirements below for Parents and Guardians and other positions on club events or within the club.
5. Requirements of Parents or Guardians.
   1. Prior to a club event, the parent or guardian must:
      1. Be a financial member or temporary member of the Townsville Bushwalking Club;
      2. Ensure the child is a club member or temporary member, and capable of completing the club event, based on the event description, walk rating, equipment and safety guidelines in the club website, and all other information specific to the event or conveyed by the event leader;
      3. Contact the walk leader before the event and obtain permission from the leader, after discussing the event and answering all questions asked by the leader about the capability of the child;
      4. If permission is not granted by the event leader, the child must not participate in the event, and no reason is required to be given by the leader;
      5. Understand the risks and obligations outlined in the Acknowledgement of Risk form and in the written and verbal descriptions by the walk leader, or on the club web site, and agree to accept them;
      6. Complete and sign the Acknowledgement of Risk form, including all sections relevant to children, and present it to the event leader before the event, including;
         1. The full name of the child and the parent or guardian, and the date of birth of the child;
         2. Acknowledgement that consent has been obtained from the event leader;
         3. Acknowledgement that the parent or guardian will:
            1. Take full responsibility for the child;
            2. Ensure the child is fully prepared for the event, and is capable of undertaking the activity;
            3. Ensure that the child obeys the directions of the event leader;
         4. The signature of the parent or guardian on the form;
         5. Acknowledgement that the signer is the legal guardian of the child.

2. During the club event the parent or guardian must:
   1. Supervise the child at all times, to ensure:
      1. The child complies with all directions from the event leader;
      2. The child’s behavior does not put the child or other members of the event at risk;
      3. The child’s behavior does not interfere with the enjoyment of other participants of the event;
   2. Ensure that all directions made by the event leader are complied with;
   3. Where possible, stay close to the child at all times following injury or any other treatment requirements for the child or the parent or guardian;
   4. If unable to stay with the child, appoint an alternative responsible adult to supervise and be responsible for the child;

5. Requirements of the Event Leader
   1. Consider the capability of all prospective event participants, and the nature of the planned event including risk of injury and likely response from emergency services, and only give permission if confident that the capability and behavior of the person will minimize risk;
   2. Ensure all Acknowledgement of Risk forms are completed and returned to the club Secretary;
   3. Where possible, be aware of other event participants who have a Working with Children card (Blue Card) or similar;
   4. Appoint an alternative responsible adult (preferably someone who has a Working with Children card) when:
      1. There is an injury or any other treatment requirements for the child or the parent or guardian, and when
      2. The child must be separated from the parent or guardian because of the injury or treatment, and when
      3. The parent or guardian is unable to appoint an alternative responsible adult to supervise and be responsible for the child.
   5. If the child or anyone else is in immediate danger call 000 for police or emergency response;
   6. If incapacitated and unable to fulfil the event leader duties for any reason, appoint an alternative leader. 
6. Requirements of Other Event Participants
   1. If there are any concerns relevant to the behavior of the child, raise those concerns with the event leader;
   2. It is acceptable, but not essential, for participants to tactfully raise concerns directly with the parent or guardian first;
   3. Cannot offer responsibility for supervising the child, unless nominated by the event leader as a result of incapacity of the designated parent of guardian;
   4. Avoid physical contact with the child except where required to prevent possible harm or to administer first aid;
   5. If the event leader is incapacitated for any reason, and unable to appoint an alternative leader, appoint an alternative leader.

7. Requirements of Club Members
   1. Immediately raise any concerns about the potential mistreatment or abuse of children with the club executive. If the child is in immediate danger call 000 for police or ambulance.

8. Requirements of Club Executive
   1. Discuss and act on any known instances of non-compliance with these guidelines;
   2. Respond to any question raised about the safety, neglect, or abuse of children on club events;
   3. Ensure the Acknowledgement of Risk form for members and temporary members complies with these guidelines;
   4. Ensure that other club information, such as online web site information, reflects the requirements of this Policy;
   5. Ensure all completed Acknowledgement of Risk forms and any other documents related to a child’s participation are kept in the club’s files until the child is 21 years of age;
   6. Ensure any response to concerns raised by others, is in accordance with the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000 (Qld);
   7. Where necessary, report concerns to the Department of Child Safety. If the child is in immediate danger call 000 for police;
   8. Encourage and assist any club members who wish to obtain a Working with Children card (Blue Card) for use in emergencies only, when on club events;
   9. Review this policy and ensure it is maintained and updated when required, e.g. for legislative changes, or insurance requirements.