Understand that we all have a role to play in keeping children safe.
Ensuring the safety of our most vulnerable community members
Children and vulnerable people have long been at the center of our decision making. We are committed to fostering a culture where they are respected, valued, and heard as unique individuals, ensuring equitable outcomes in all situations. Safeguarding is an essential part of what we do every day to ensure everyone in our care can belong, grow, thrive, and lead.
We believe that safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable people is an ongoing process that requires constant diligence, reflection, and refinement of our practices, policies and procedures. Below you will find information on our commitment to safeguarding, the actions we take, and actions that you can take to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable.
Our Commitment Statement
Safeguarding children and vulnerable people is our highest priority. We are dedicated to fostering an environment that empowers children and vulnerable people. We promote
leadership and governance that integrates safeguarding into every aspect of the YMCA.
Our commitment to establishing a safeguarding culture includes:
- Ensuring safeguarding is imbedded within strategic and operational planning.
- Providing high quality safeguarding training for our staff and volunteers.
- Championing the rights of all children and vulnerable people.
- Empowering our staff and volunteers to speak up and take action.
- Actively working to prevent harm and abuse.
- Ensuring our staff and volunteers are informed and adhering to the safeguarding policy, procedures, and code of conduct.
- Reporting safeguarding incidents to the appropriate authority, the board of directors, and YMCA leaders.
- Analyzing safeguarding data to reduce risk and inform future practices.
- Annual safeguarding self-assessments and audits.
- Continuous improvement by learning from national and international best practices.
- Regularly reviewing our safeguarding policies, procedures, and practices.
Accountability for the safeguarding management system rests with senior leadership;
Scott Williams, Chief Risk Officer, serves as YMCA Calgary’s Safeguarding Lead.
Our Actions
Learn more about the actions we take to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable people.
- Police Information Check is required of every staff and volunteer, along with Vulnerable Sector Search required of anyone working directly with children. They are both renewed every three years.
- Three reference checks take place prior to an offer being made.
- YMCA Calgary requires all staff and volunteers to follow the Safeguarding Code of Conduct in YMCA spaces to minimize opportunities for harm.
- Any reports involving a breach of the Safeguarding Code of Conduct are taken seriously.
- YMCA Calgary is required by provincial law to report any evidence of harm to or neglect of a child or vulnerable person to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- Parent/guardian communication
- Secure entrances and exits
- Supervision practices
- Transfer of care systems for registered programs
- Safe design and layout
- Risk assessments
- Staff training
- Contractor/visitor policies
- Age Requirements
- Duty Managers (DM) are responsible for ensuring excellent customer service, maintaining facility security and safety, and leading the emergency response for any incidents. Duty managers are present, visible and available throughout YMCA Calgary’s facilities to support any concerns or questions. You can ask for a duty manager by speaking to any of our staff members.
- All children ages 13 years and younger must participate in a swimming skills assessment and will be provided a coloured wristband based on their age and swimming ability.
- YMCA Calgary is dedicated to drowning prevention and the Test, Mark, Protect program is being implemented for the safety of all children in our pools.
Your Actions
Here are the actions you can take to safeguard children and vulnerable adults in your communities.
Understand
Know
Know the types of harm and how to recognize them. You can learn more about harm here.
Report
Report harm when you see it. All incidents at the YMCA should be reported to a Duty Manager or Supervisor. Call 911 for incidents outside of the YMCA if you or the person you are reporting for is in immediate danger, or call Child Intervention 24/7 at 1-800-638-0715.