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Child Safety Policy

Last updated: date · Operator: Legal entity name (ABN ABN) · Child safety contact: child safety email | phone

1. Our commitment

1.1 Arys is committed to the safety and wellbeing of every child and young person who uses our Platform. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and harm.

1.2 Many athletes on Arys are under 18. This policy applies to Arys, every coach and staff member on the Platform, and every user.

1.3 We have designed this policy using the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. Coaches must also comply with any child safe standards that apply in their state or territory (for example, the NSW Child Safe Scheme).

2. How we apply the National Principles

Principle	What Arys does
1. Child safety is part of leadership and culture	This policy is approved by the founder/director and reviewed every year.
2. Children are informed and participate	Child-friendly safety information and an easy "Report" button in the app.
3. Families and communities are involved	Parents manage under-15 accounts and see coach messages with their child.
4. Equity and diverse needs are respected	Reporting is available to everyone. [Consider accessibility and translated materials.]
5. People working with children are suitable and supported	WWCC required for every coach; verification before going live.
6. Complaints processes are child focused	2-hour review of child safety reports; clear escalation.
7. Staff are trained	[Child safety training for Arys staff and recommended for coaches.]
8. Physical and online environments are safe	No public feed; messaging only; parent visibility; private homework videos.
9. The policy is regularly reviewed	Annual review and after any serious incident.
10. Policies and procedures are documented	This policy, the Coach Terms and Community Guidelines.

3. Accounts and age

3.1 We collect each athlete's date of birth.

3.2 Under 15: a parent or guardian must create and manage the account and give consent.

3.3 Aged 15–17: may hold their own profile. A parent or guardian's email is recorded and receives important notices.

3.4 Children cannot opt in to marketing or coach offers.

4. Coach and staff screening

4.1 Every coach must have a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC), or the equivalent in their state or territory, before their organisation goes live.

4.2 Every staff member who coaches anyone under 18 must have a valid WWCC recorded on the Platform.

4.3 The Platform blocks bookings that would place a minor with a staff member who does not have a valid WWCC recorded.

4.4 Coaches must also verify identity, hold a relevant qualification, and hold public liability insurance of at least A$10 million.

4.5 New organisations are reviewed by Arys before they go live.

4.6 We re-check WWCC status before expiry. If a check expires, is suspended or is barred, we remove the Verified badge and block bookings with minors immediately.

5. Safe communication

5.1 All messages between coaches and minors must happen on the Platform.

5.2 Coach-to-athlete messages with a minor are visible to the parent or guardian.

5.3 Squad chat is for messaging only. There is no public feed and no public profiles for children.

5.4 Coaches must not:

(a) contact a minor through private social media, personal phone or other off-platform channels, except where a parent has agreed and is included;

(b) send or request images of a child outside of coaching purposes;

(d) give gifts or special treatment that could be grooming behaviour.

5.5 Homework videos are stored privately, seen only by the athlete (and parent) and the coaching staff, and deleted after 90 days.

5.6 Coaches must respect each athlete's photo consent setting and must not publish images of children without parent consent.

6. Reporting a concern

6.1 If a child is in immediate danger, call 000.

6.2 Anyone can report a concern using the Report button on a profile, message or content, or by emailing child safety email.

6.3 You can also report directly to:

NSW Child Protection Helpline: 13 21 11 (or the child protection service in your state or territory);
Police: 000 (emergency) or 131 444 (non-emergency);
eSafety Commissioner: esafety.gov.au (for online abuse);
ACCCE (Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation): accce.gov.au/report.

7. How we respond

7.1 Child safety reports are reviewed within 2 hours, 24 hours a day.

7.2 Where there is a possible risk to a child, we may immediately:

(a) suspend the account of the person concerned;

(b) block bookings and messaging;

(d) preserve relevant records and messages.

7.3 We will report to police, child protection authorities or the relevant WWCC regulator where required by law or where we believe a child is at risk.

7.4 We will tell the parent or guardian where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

7.5 We will keep records of the report and our actions securely and confidentially, for retention period.

7.6 We will not take action against anyone who reports a concern in good faith.

8. Coaches' responsibilities

8.1 Coaches must:

(a) keep their WWCC and their staff's WWCCs valid and recorded;

(b) have their own child safety policy and code of conduct for in-person sessions [Arys to provide a template];

(d) tell Arys within 2 business days of any change in WWCC status or any child-related investigation or charge; and

(e) cooperate with any Arys investigation.

9. Review

9.1 We review this policy at least every year and after any serious incident.

References

Australian Human Rights Commission, National Principles for Child Safe Organisations: childsafe.humanrights.gov.au
Children's Guardian Act 2019 (NSW) and NSW Child Safe Standards: ocg.nsw.gov.au
Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 (NSW); equivalent state and territory laws.
Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth); eSafety Commissioner.
OAIC, Children's Online Privacy Code exposure draft (2026).