WARA’s Commitment to Safeguarding Children
The WA Rogaining Association (WARA) has created a subcommittee tasked with implementation of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. WARA is committed to safety of all its members and our approach to keeping children and young people safe is an extension of that.
The subcommittee has completed a self-assessment of WARA's existing child safe practices, attended workshops, and met with relevant people within the Department of Communities' Child Protection Unit, the Department of Local Government Sport and Culture and SportWest to understand, navigate and start to action the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
The body of work being done in this area is to ensure WARA’s legal obligations are being met, practices meet contemporary expectations and to ensure our sport is a safe space for families and children, and is not in response to an incident in rogaining.
Since April 2024 the Child Safeguarding Subcommittee has met with relevant authorities, sought feedback from key WARA personnel and produced the following:
- Interacting with Children Guidelines which applies to all WARA activities and its members. Link to Policy
- Who needs a WWC card and application process? If a WARA role requires a Working with Children Check (WWC), an application form will be sent by the Volunteer Coordinator. Link to Policy
- WARA’s Social Media and Communication Policy Link to Policy
The subcommittee is still working on policy or guidelines related to
1. Storing WWC Information
2. Responding to Child Abuse Allegation
3. WARA Child Safety Policy.
4. The Dryandra Training weekend with respect to WWC.
For more information on the reasons why child safeguarding is necessary, please read the article on the “Play by the Rules” website https://www.playbytherules.net.au/common-issues/community-child-safe-sport which gives a good overview.
Any queries should be directed to Andre Morkel at
The WA Rogaining Association (WARA) has created a subcommittee tasked with implementation of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. WARA is committed to safety of all its members and our approach to keeping children and young people safe is an extension of that.
So far, the subcommittee has completed a self-assessment of WARA's existing child safe practices, attended workshops, and met with relevant people within the Department of Communities' Child Protection Unit, the Department of Local Government Sport and Culture and SportWest to understand, navigate and start to action the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
WARA’s Social Media and Communications Policy
As part of WARA’s ongoing commitment to being a contemporary and child safe organisation, a Social Media and Communications Policy Link to Policy has been developed by the Child Safeguarding Subcommittee . The policy intent is to provide guidelines on the appropriate use of social media and communication channels for all to all persons – not just children - engaged in WARA activities of any sort. The challenge for the subcommittee has been to meet legislative requirements without losing the uniqueness of rogaining. In the process feedback has been sought from key WARA personnel.
This is a practical guide to enable all persons engaged in WARA activities benefit from the use of the various methods of electronic communication whilst at the same time protecting those using these tools and minimising the potential risks. It is expected that all communication that occurs should be timely, relevant to WARA business, and appropriate.
Any queries should be directed to Andre Morkel at
Why a Child Safe Organisation?
Child abuse statistics are confronting. Check out the background and information within the "National Principles for Child-Safe Organisations - A Self- Assessment & Action".
Every child has the right to always feel and be safe. Keeping children and young people safe is a collective responsibility – everyone needs to play a part. It is not only essential for WARA to do everything it can to create and maintain safe environments for children and young people, but also vital that everyone involved is aware what to do if they suspect a child or young person is at risk of harm, or a child or young person discloses that they have been harmed.
WARA is taking this opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of children and young people by more fully addressing this aspect of safety of our association.