NSW COMBINED INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS SPORTS COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT RISK MANAGEMENT 1.0 Preamble Risk management is the culture, processes and structures that are directed towards the effective management of situations that have the capacity to have adverse effects for the NSW Combined Independent Schools Sports Council (CIS). The Risk Management Policy applies to all areas of the CIS’s operation, including routine internal activities and the conduct of selection events for member schools and associations. The sports offered include: • AFL • Athletics • Baseball • Basketball • Cricket • Cross Country • Diving • Football • Golf • Hockey • Netball • Rugby • Rugby League • Softball • Swimming • Tennis • Touch Football • Triathlon • Volleyball, and • Water Polo. 2.0 Policy Combined Independent Schools has implemented a risk management strategy that aims to: • Demonstrate due diligence in planning representative sporting pathways, events and activities for students and staff from its’ member schools. • Promote proactive rather than reactive management with the early identification and treatment of risks by creating a risk aware culture amongst all CIS personnel • Protect the students, staff, volunteers and the CIS Community at CIS events and activities; • Protect the financial position of CIS; • Protect the reputation of CIS; • Meet the expectations of the CIS’s stakeholders – our member schools, eligible associations, sponsors and CIS community • Fulfill the legislative and regulatory responsibilities of CIS. Title Endorsed Revision Status Planned Review Page CIS Risk Management Policy & Strategy Oct 2018 Updated October 2020 Oct 2022 1 of 17 Uncontrolled copy when printed 3.0 Definitions CIS Convenor – Employee from an affiliated member school appointed to oversee the administration of a CIS Sport. Member Schools – Members schools are the schools who affiliate to CIS in order to provide access for their students and staff to the representative sporting pathway. Risk Management refers to the process of identifying, analysing, evaluating, treating, monitoring and communicating risks, to minimize loss and maximise opportunities. Hazard is defined as “a source of potential harm” (AS/NZS 4360:2004). A 'hazard' has the potential to cause injury or disease to people, damage to property or the environment or disruption to productivity. Hazards arise, for example, from the workplace environment; use of plant and equipment; poor work design; inappropriate systems; procedures and/or behaviour. 4.0 Purpose The purpose of this policy is to assist with the systematic and responsible management of risk for CIS. It is not the aim of the policy to completely eliminate risk from CIS’ activities but rather to ensure that every reasonable effort is made by CIS to diligently manage risks in order to maximise sporting opportunities and minimise their potential actualisation. This policy also seeks to clearly set out the risk and indemnities involved in the sporting activities that CIS provides. CIS acknowledges that effective risk management requires: • A collaborative approach; • Defined accountability; • Taking into account, at the least, the probability of harm occurring in particular situations, the likely seriousness of that harm, the burden of taking precautions to avoid the risk of harm, and the benefits of the activity that creates the risk of harm. CIS recognises that while participation in sport brings many benefits, it also carries risk, namely risks associated with injury, illness and economic loss. CIS notes that an important component of risk management is consultation and collaboration with the Member schools which should include staff, and where appropriate, external venue providers. 5.0 Accident and Insurance Information CIS does not insure against the cost of medical or dental expenses incurred by students, teachers, umpires, conveners, spectators, or any other person participating in the sporting activity. The NSW State Government provides free serious injury and death cover to all NSW school children while they are participating in school authorised sports under the Sporting Injuries Insurance Act 1978 (NSW) (the Act) through icare NSW. The Act was established to cover accidents or injuries to school children. All NSW school children within both public and private systems are automatically covered. Cover is provided for school authorised sporting or athletic activities. A lump sum payment is payable to any schoolchild (or the Public Trustee should the child be under 18 years of age) who is injured while participating in a school authorised sporting or athletic activity and who has suffered a permanent disability of a certain kind. The icare insurance does not cover medical expenses or dental costs. More information about the icare insurance program can be found at; https://www.icare.nsw.goc.au/injured-or-ill-people/sporting-injuries/make-a-claim/ . While CIS takes measures to ensure that all sporting activities it provides are as safe as reasonably possible for participants, there is an inherent risk that students can be injured and suffer loss and damage as a result of their participation in these sporting activities, whether at training or actual events. As such, CIS advises that Member schools and parents/ guardians consider the insurance needs of their students/dependents and to take action that reflects their circumstances. Title Endorsed Revision Status Planned Review Page CIS Risk Management Policy & Strategy Oct 2018 Updated October 2020 Oct 2022 2 of 17 Uncontrolled copy when printed 6.0 Procedures Procedures developed to assist in the implementation of this policy include: • Risk Assessments The CIS Convenor in liaison with the CIS secretariat is responsible for the development of a risk assessment for their event/s. This risk assessment is to the loaded on the CIS website under information for the following events for each sport in the calendar: i. Close of nominations ii. The trial/championship or Carnival Teaching staff of Member schools are responsible for accessing the relevant Risk Assessment prior to the trial. • Risk Warning The CIS Risk Warning alerts parents and students to the risks involved in participating in sport, is posted on the CIS website under Handbook and is included in CIS Sports nomination documentation. • Risk Management Strategy – The CIS Risk Management Strategy aims to assist with the systematic and responsible management of risk, internally at CIS, and at events run by CIS or by member school staff (convenors, coaches, and managers) on behalf of CIS. The framework used by CIS for both the assessment of and the reduction for risk is outlined in Attachment A. • Critical Incident Procedures Refer to the CIS Critical Incident Policy, loaded on the CIS website under Handbook. • Asset Management Plan; • Various CIS Policies assist in the management of risk by CIS, by offering guidelines and protocols for behaviour, of both CIS Staff and the CIS Community at any CIS activities/events. All of these policies can be found on the website under Handbook and include: i. Child Protection Policy ii. Use of Information Technology, Computer, Telephone and Equipment Policy; iii. Privacy Policy iv. Work Health and Safety Policy v. Unlawful Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying Statement vi. CIS Work Health and Safety Policy vii. Grievance and Complaints Handling Policies viii. CIS Staff Code of Conduct 7.0 Responsibilities 7.1 CIS To alert parents and students to the risk involved in participating in sport through Risk Warnings and minimize the risks at all CIS administered events, through the use of Risk Assessments, as outlined above. CIS Convenor and/or sub-committee to inspect venue prior to the commencement of any CIS event. CIS Convenor to report any Critical Incident to the CIS CEO as soon as possible. In relation to the provision of First Aid CIS Convenors are required to have a current First Aid certificate. Title Endorsed Revision Status Planned Review Page CIS Risk Management Policy & Strategy Oct 2018 Updated October 2020 Oct 2022 3 of 17 Uncontrolled copy when printed CIS Secretariat to ensure appropriate First Aid has been booked for CIS Trials and Championships with more than 20 participants. External First Aid providers are required to log all treatment given and a copy will be provided to CIS. First Aid for trials with less than 20 participants will be co-ordinated by the CIS Convenor, who will organize a First Aid Kit and ice. A log of first aid administered will be kept and forwarded to CIS following the event. An Accident/ Incident Report Form – is to be completed in the following situations where a student due to injury or illness is: • advised not to continue competing in the event • sent home • advised to seek further medical attention • medical assistance (ambulance/hospitalisation) is required. 7.2 Member Schools/ Eligible Associations Teaching staff to refer to the relevant risk assessment prior to the trial, and ensure students from their school are clear on expectations and aware of personal safety gear they may need. Teachers / Associations to pass on any student Medical Management Plans to CIS Convenor prior to the trial if required. CIS Risk Management Structure of Responsibility CIS Representative Trials CIS Carnivals / Championships CIS Trainings PSSA/All Schools/ Nationals To and From the venue To and From the venue To and From Training To and From Member Schools/ Member Schools/ Parents/Member Schools Parents / CIS Team Parents Parents/Associations management At the Trial