Royal Life Saving launch new online training on child safety for the aquatic industry

Royal Life Saving Society - Australia has released two new online modules aimed at improving individual and organisational know-how on child safety in the aquatic industry.

The aim is to educate all aquatic industry staff, whether paid or volunteer, to ensure children are safe from abuse.

Advising that the new modules were designed to meet the needs of all aquatic industry staff, with one module designed for frontline staff and the other for management, Royal Life Saving’s National Manager - Training and Workforce Development, Shaun Jackson stated “the modules provide information and practical advice on how to prevent abuse and recognise and respond to instances where children may be in danger of abuse.”

The version for frontline staff is designed for swim teachers, program instructors, pool lifeguards, and any other staff or volunteers that come into regular contact with children through their role at an aquatic facility, swim school or similar organisation.

It focuses on equipping learners with knowledge and skills around appropriate and inappropriate conduct, identifying abuse including identifying grooming behaviours, and obligations and best practice around responding to and reporting abuse or suspected abuse.

The management version covers the same content but also looks more closely at what can be done at an organisational level in terms of instilling and promoting a child safe culture. The module uses the 10 Child Safe Standards as a guiding framework and includes information on effectively managing risks to children’s safety at all levels.

The content is contextualised to the aquatic industry environment and uses a range screen designs, interactions, visual representations, scenarios, reflection tools and knowledge checks to maximise engagement and learning. It is designed to give those that work or volunteer in the industry confidence and clarity in managing this extremely important and at times challenging part of their roles.

These modules add to the suite of Professional Development products for the aquatic industry workforce available through Royal Life Saving. Other recently developed online learning modules include Conflict Management, Cultural Competence and Communication Skills.

More information on this new Child Safety module and other professional development offerings is available from local Royal Life Saving offices.