Child safety

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At Willoughby Leisure Centre, the safety and wellbeing of children and young people is our highest priority. We are proud to foster a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child and young person feels safe, supported and valued.

We are committed to creating a strong culture of child safety that protects children and young people from harm and abuse. All children and young people are encouraged to feel confident, seen, and heard while enjoying our facilities and programs, ensuring every visit is a safe and positive experience.

We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse. Any allegations or safety concerns will be treated seriously, handled confidentially and consistently in line with our policies and procedures.

For further information about Council's commitment, expectations and governance arrangements for preventing, identifying, responding to and reporting child safety concerns (including child abuse, neglect, grooming and reportable conduct) please see Child Safe Organisation | Willoughby City Council.

Keep watch and conditions of entry

To help keep everyone safe, all children aged 15 years and under must be directly supervised by a responsible adult (18 years and over) while visiting Willoughby Leisure Centre. As a Royal Life Saving Keep Watch Partner, we actively promote supervision standards that help keep everyone safe in and around the water.

Supervision guidelines:

  • Children 5 years and under & non-swimmers: Must always be within arm's reach of a supervising adult.
  • Children 6 to 10 years: Must be actively supervised by an adult who is ready to enter the water.
  • Children aged 15 years and under: Must always be under the direct supervision of a responsible adult (18 years or older).

How to report a concern

We encourage everyone in our community (staff, parents, carers, and visitors) to speak up if they have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person.

If you see something that doesn’t feel right:

  • In the first instance, alert a Lifeguard or staff member. They will assess the situation and contact emergency services if needed to ensure a clear and coordinated response.
  • In an emergency, follow staff directions. If immediate assistance is required and no staff member is available, call 000 for Police, Fire or Ambulance.
  • You can also provide feedback or raise concerns through leisure@willoughby.nsw.gov.au or on (02) 9958 5799.

By working together as a community, we can ensure a safe, enjoyable environment for every child and young person at Willoughby Leisure Centre.

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