Important Update - National Integrity Framework
The Do’s and Don’ts of Overnight Stays with Children
In 2025 ACF will be rolling out the ACF National Integrity Framework (NIF) Education Plan. This will assist State and Club bodies to understand their responsibilities under the framework – and embed the ACF NIF into their governance practices. To kick off a series of NIF articles in AusCaliPULSE – we discuss here the dos and don’ts of overnight stays with children.
Sporting trips involving children and young people present unique risks, making it essential to have clear guidelines to ensure their safety and well-being. By incorporating Children and Young Person Safe Practices into planning, we can create a secure environment for all involved.
Key points include:
✅ Obtaining written parental consent before an overnight stay
✅Ensuring privacy and appropriate supervision (minimum of two adults, 1:8 ratio)
✅Maintaining appropriate sleeping arrangements (no adults sharing rooms with children unless they are a parent/guardian)
✅Keeping parents informed about trip details, supervision, and accommodation
✅Implementing a two-deep leadership model for room checks and activities
Avoiding situations such as:
❌ Leaving children unsupervised or under the care of unauthorized persons
❌ Sharing a room or bed with a child or young person
❌ Entering a child’s room or inviting them into an adult’s room
❌ Exposing children to inappropriate content
Sport Integrity Australia has developed a comprehensive resource to guide sporting organisations in implementing best practices for overnight stays. You can access their detailed handbook here: Sport Integrity Australia – Overnight Stays Guidelines
As well as their detailed handbook, they have also developed a checklist to support those coordinating these events, which you can find here: Overnight or Extended Stays Travel Checklist
We understand that clubs and states want to ensure they get these matters right. If you or your club have any questions on this topic, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our National Integrity Officer, Jess Wahlstrom, at jess.wahlstrom@calisthenicsaustralia.com.au.
