Guidance for Specific Roles
Formal roles and responsibilities in responding to domestic, family and sexual violence
Some people in the football community have formal responsibilities when responding to domestic, family and sexual violence because of their role, contract, club position or relationship with Western Sydney Wanderers.
If this applies to you, this webpage does not replace the policies, procedures or reporting pathways that apply to your role. You should follow the relevant requirements set out in your contract, program agreement or role description, as well as any safeguarding, child safety, member protection or legal obligations that apply.
CHILD SAFETY AND REPORTING OBLIGATIONS
If a child or young person is in immediate danger, call 000 (Triple Zero) immediately to reach police, ambulance, or fire services.
- Immediate Danger: Call 000.
- Child Protection Helpline (NSW): 13 21 11 (Report a child or young person at risk 24/7).
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (24/7 free, confidential counselling).
Sometimes information about a child or young person at risk of harm is clear. For example, you witness the harm, or the child/young person, or they tell you they have experienced harm. But at other times it will not be clear that a child or young person is at risk of harm.
If you are worried a child or young person is at risk of harm, it is important to consider:
- any immediate safety, child safety and any mandatory reporting or safeguarding requirements
- you do not need to have proof that something has happened
- your role in responding to a child or young person is to support them and/or connect them with professional support. You do not need to have proof that a child or young person has experienced harm to take the next steps
- you do not need to find out more. It is not your role to look into what happened, or talk to the people involved
- you do not need to know the whole story to share your concerns. It is ok to support someone based on what you saw or were told
Remember to consider safety if you want to let the child, young person and/or the non-offending parent/carer know you are making a mandatory report.
If you are working as an official representative or in a paid position:
- speak to the nominated safeguarding contact, club official, Member Protection Officer or Western Sydney Wanderers contact
- keep information private and only share it with people who need to know as part of the safety or reporting process
Privacy, notes and following up
Record-keeping and privacy
It is important to keep a written record of what happens so that you and your organisation can support people who experience violence. Clear notes help you to understand what has happened, what the risks are and what actions have been taken.
It is best to keep your notes brief. This could include:
- date, time and names
- what was seen/heard/said and by who
- any immediate risks
- who you spoke to or what actions you took
Things you shouldn’t put in your notes:
- personal opinions for example, “John was overreacting”
- assumptions for example, “relationship challenges” instead of “Jack was yelling at John to help him”
It is best to write your notes as soon as possible so that information is accurate. Notes do not need to be kept in any specific format - you can keep them on your phone, as an email, on your computer or in a notebook or diary. If you are keeping information as a part of an official position or paid role for Western Sydney Wanderers or a club, these notes should comply with that club’s confidentiality and privacy guidelines.
Who can I speak to at the club or WSW?
You may choose to speak with someone at your club or within a Wanderers program if you are worried about yourself, someone else, or behaviour you have seen or heard.
Depending on your club, program or situation, you may be able to speak with:
- Member Protection Officer: This person can listen to your concerns, explain club processes and help identify the right next step.
- Safeguarding or Welfare Officer: This person can help with child safety or safeguarding concerns.
- Club President or nominated club leader: If your club does not have a Member Protection Officer or Safeguarding Officer, a nominated leader may be the right person to speak with.
- Coach or team manager: This person may be able to listen, support you and help connect you with further resources and support. Do not speak with this person if they are:
- involved in the concern
Member Protection Officer
Jonathan Brancati
Player Wellbeing Officer
Jbrancati@wswanderersfc.com.au
02 8602 6400
Available: M-F, 9am to 5pm
02 8602 6400
The person you speak to may be able to:
- listen and take your concern seriously
- explain what options are available
- help you contact support services
- explain club, safeguarding and/or reporting processes
- seek advice from the right person if they are not sure what to do
- help manage immediate safety concerns
The person you speak to should not:
- pressure you to share more details than you want to
- try to find out more information
- confront another person, [hyperlink to I am concerned about someone else’s harmful behaviour] or
- promise outcomes before the right process has been followed
Privacy
The person you speak to should treat your information seriously and respectfully. In some situations, they may need to share information with the right person to help keep someone safe, respond to a child safety concern, or follow legal, safeguarding or organisational requirements.
