Integrity
National Integrity Framework
Maintaining Fairness & Safety in Sport.
Safeguarding Children and Young People
Ensuring safety and well-being in Pony Club® activities
Our commitment at PCA
Reporting a child protection matter
How do I report a child protection matter?
If you wish to report a child protection matter, directly contact the agency responsible for child protection in your state or territory:
- NSW: Department of Communities & Justice Tel. 132 111
- SA: Department for Child Protection Tel. 131 478
- VIC: Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Tel. 131 278 (after hours)
- ACT: Community Services Directorate Tel. 1300 556 729
- TAS: Department of Communities Tasmania Tel. 1800 000 123
- QLD: Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs Tel. 1800 177 135 (after hours)
- WA: Department of Communities – Child Protection and Family Support Tel. 1800 273 889
For Crisis Care, contact 1800 199 008 (after hours) - NT: Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities Tel. 1800 700 250
Responsible recruitment for safer environments
PCA’s recruitment and screening process
Pony Club Australia® is dedicated to ensuring the safety of children and young people through a rigorous recruitment process. Here’s how we ensure this commitment:- Child-Related Positions: A child-related position involves or may involve contact with children, either directly in the role or due to its nature. These positions undergo our thorough recruitment and screening process.
- Position Descriptions: Clear criteria are developed to mitigate risks associated with child safety.
- Advertising: All child-related positions include the statement: “Pony Club Australia® is committed to protecting Children from harm. We require all applicants working with Children to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.”
- Interviews: Applicants for child-related positions participate in at least one interview, preferably in person or via videoconference. Interviews include questions about the applicant’s suitability to work with children.
- Working with Children Checks: Mandatory checks as per state and territory laws. For more information about WWCC in Pony Club, see our Frequently Asked Questions.
- National Criminal History Record Checks: Depending on jurisdictional requirements, preferred candidates may need a national criminal history record check (police check) in addition to or where WWCC thresholds are not met.
- International Criminal History Record Checks: Applicants who have resided overseas for 12 months or more in the last ten years must provide an international criminal check.
- Compliance Monitoring: Club, zone, state, or national bodies ensure all personnel in child-related roles maintain current WWCC as per state and territory legislation.
- Reference Checks: At least two reference checks are conducted to assess the suitability of the preferred applicant.
- Qualification and Registration Checks: Educational or professional qualifications and registrations are verified where applicable for preferred applicants.
- Minors: If a person under 18 is appointed to a child-related position, we comply with relevant WWCC legislation, conduct appropriate screening, ensure awareness of child safeguarding policies, and gather information on pre-existing relationships affecting child participants.
Frequently Asked Questions: Working with Children Checks (WWCC)
- Types of history that may prevent someone from obtaining a WWCC.
- Validity period of the WWCC.
- Who is required to be registered.
- Board/Committee members
- Coaches/Instructors
- Team Managers
- Australian Capital Territory
- Queensland
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Tasmania
- South Australia
- Western Australia
- Northern Territory
Safeguarding Resources
The Child Safeguarding in Sport Induction course is designed for all individuals and organisations bound by the Child Safeguarding policy. It provides essential knowledge and education to understand and implement the Child Safeguarding Policy effectively.
All Pony Club® board/committee members and coaches are required to complete this course by January 1, 2025, and record their completion by submitting a credential on JustGo. This course is recommended for everyone involved in Pony Club.
Child Safe Practices Do’s and Don’t Booklet
The Child Safe Practices aim to identify and prevent harmful behavior towards children in sports. These practices are outlined in the National Integrity Framework’s Child Safeguarding Policy. This Do’s and Don’ts booklet serves as a supplementary guide, offering practical and actionable advice for anyone involved in delivering programs, services, or activities to children in sports.
Sport Integrity Australia Safeguarding Resources
Participation in Pony Club should be safe, supportive, and friendly for everyone. Sport Integrity Australia has developed resources to help riders, coaches, club administrators, officials, and guardians at all levels of Pony Club® understand the importance of safeguarding.
The e-Safety Commission has created a website to help kids stay safe online.
PCA Child Safeguarding Club Program
The PCA Child Safeguarding Club Program comprises a series of online checklists to help your club identify activities or actions to help embed and promote child-safe practices at your club. Click the links to view the checklists:
Game Plan Safeguarding Module
Game Plan is a free online platform designed to help sporting clubs of all sizes assess their current capabilities in key areas of club administration. It offers valuable insights and supports ongoing development with a comprehensive suite of tools. Dive into Game Plan and complete the Safeguarding Module to learn how to create, promote, and maintain a child-safe environment at your club.
Member Protection
Creating a safe and respectful environment at Pony Club Australia®
Ensuring member protection
Our member protection policy
Become a Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO)
Member Protection Information Officers (MPIOs) play a crucial role in our clubs, providing guidance on complaints procedures and acting as a key point of contact for members facing issues. Training for MPIOs consists of an online course followed by a face-to-face session.
Need help recruiting an MPIO to your club?
Utilise our templates to establish and define the Member Protection Information Officer role at your club. Customise these documents to best fit your club’s needs.
Download the MPIO Role Description template
Download the MPIO Position Advert
Member Protection Resources
Training Courses: Sport Integrity Australia:
- Child Safeguarding in Sport Induction Course This course is designed to help you understand Safeguarding Children and Young People in your sport, including the Children and Young People Safe Practices, and how to recognise and respond to possible breaches. This course is required training for club administrators and coaches.
Training Courses: Play By The Rules (PBTR)
- Harassment and Discrimination The PBTR Harassment and Discrimination online course is an interactive course that provides an introduction to discrimination law and discusses the implications of discrimination and harassment on sports clubs and associations. It provides users with an understanding of discrimination and harassment and what to do if an incident occurs.
- Complaint Handling The PBTR Complaint Handling course is designed to help users understand strategies around how to handle complaints appropriately and efficiently. Participants are encouraged to complete both the Child Protection and the Harassment and Discrimination courses prior to this course.
- Inclusive Coaching The PBTR Inclusive Coaching course provides an opportunity for community coaches to develop their own approach and strategies for inclusion. It includes practical case studies and examples of what it means to be inclusive of all people, what inclusion and diversity means for your sport, and what discrimination means under the law.
- Let Kids Be Kids (mini course) The PBTR Let Kids be Kids mini-course addresses poor sideline behaviour at junior sport. Participants will learn what motivates children to participate in sport, how to identify and address poor adult behaviour in a sporting context, and how to take into consideration the views and opinions of children and young people.
- LGBTI+ Inclusive Club The PBTR LGBTI+ course is designed to help sporting organisations adopt a culture that is inclusive of LGBTI+ people. This course will assist participants to define the LGBTI+ inclusion, adopt inclusive language, and address barriers to inclusion in the future.
Training Courses: Pony Club Australia®
- Pony Club Inclusive Coach Training Pony Club® is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can learn about riding and horse care. This training equips coaches with the skills to support riders with disabilities, ensuring they can fully participate in the Pony Club® program. Coaches who complete this training will earn 2 CD points, helping them maintain their qualifications.
Resources
- E-Safety Commission Find resources on online behavior and learn how to file a complaint if you experience bullying, harassment, or discrimination online.
- Rider with Special Requirements: Exemption Application Form Pony Club® is dedicated to ensuring that all riders can fully engage in the Pony Club program within an inclusive and welcoming environment. Riders who need special equipment or accommodations to participate can apply for an Exemption for Special Requirements.
Improper Use of Drugs and Medicines
Maintaining clean and fair sport at Pony Club Australia®
Zero Tolerance for Doping
Stay informed with the Sport Integrity App
The Sport Integrity mobile app is your comprehensive resource for all sport integrity needs. It provides essential information on anti-doping rules, testing programs, the health effects of doping, supplement and nutrition advice, and more.
Download the app from Apple Store / Google Play
Key Resources For Clubs and Members
Pony Club Horse Medication Policy
In line with Pony Club® values of integrity and horse welfare, the use of medications that may affect the performance of horses is strictly prohibited. This policy offers essential information for riders regarding banned substances, the process to seek approval for the use of essential medications, and the disciplinary procedures for breaches of the policy.
Download:
Understanding Anti-Doping Rules
- World Anti-Doping Code: The World Anti-Doping Code is the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations around the world. The Code influences the approach taken by Olympic sports, many professional sports, governments and other authorities such as International Olympic Committee.
- World Anti-Doping Prohibited List: The List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List) indicates what substances and methods are prohibited in sport and when. The List is updated at least annually. The latest version is published on WADA’s website in October and comes into force on 1 January.
Anti-Doping Education
Sport Integrity Australia e-Learning provides an online portal offering quality anti-doping education for all members of the Australian sporting community. It is free and easy to use and can be accessed anywhere at any time. Suggested courses:
- Annual Update
- Anti-Doping Fundamentals Course
- Illicit Drugs in Sport
- Clean Sport 101
- Parent’s guide to clean sport
- Coaches Course
Therapeutic Use Exemption
Riders may at times need to use a prohibited medication and/or method to treat a legitimate medical condition. A Therapeutic Use Exemption is an exemption that allows an athlete to use, for therapeutic purposes only, an otherwise prohibited substance or method (of administering a substance). For more information, visit Sport Integrity Australia
Supplements in Sport
Supplements can pose a risk to the health and career of riders. Nutritional supplements cover a broad range of products including vitamins, minerals, herbs, meal supplements, sport nutrition products, natural food supplements and other related products used to boost the nutritional content of the diet. For more information, visit Sport Integrity Australia
Competition Manipulation and Sports Gambling
Promoting fair play
Pony Club Australia®’s commitment to integrity
Expand your knowledge with ASC E-Learning
Enhance your understanding of competition manipulation and sports gambling through the Australian Sports Commission’s E-Learning platform. This comprehensive course provides essential insights into identifying, understanding, and addressing competition manipulation and sports gambling, including the consequences and reporting procedures.
Who should take this course?
- Required: for International coaches and team managers
- Recommended: All members, parents and club administrators.
Start your learning journey on the ASC E-Learning Portal. Visit the catalogue entries to enrol and enhance your understanding of sport integrity.
Complaints, Disputes and Discipline
Ensuring fairness and safety at Pony Club®
Pony Club Australia®’s proactive approach
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Integrity Manager Suanne Waugh at 0424 067 045 or email integrity@ponyclubaustralia.com.au.
If you are in Australia and in immediate danger or risk of harm, call your local law enforcement agency or dial triple zero (000).