Youth Armoured Combat Draft:Information For Parents

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Definitions

1. When we say "minor", we mean anyone who has not reached the age of legal majority, this is 18 years old throughout Lochac.
2. When we say "child" or "youth", we mean minor participants.
3. When we say "parent", we include biological parents, and court-appointed legal guardians, such as adoptive parents.
4. When we say "nominated caregiver", we mean a person listed on the Australian "Transfer of guardianship/Nomination of caregiver" form, or the New Zealand "Minor's sign-in sheet" as being responsible for the minor for the event.'
5. When we say "rostered youth combat marshal", we mean an adult subscribing member of the SCA or its affiliates who is authorised as a youth armoured combat marshal. In Australia, this person will also hold a current Working with Children Check, or equivalent.

Important information

Policies

1. The Kingdom of Lochac and the Society for Creative Anachronism in New Zealand and Australia is made up of two affiliated organisations:
   • The Society of Creative Anachronism Ltd (Australia), (SCA Ltd) and;
   • The Society of Creative Anachronism New Zealand Incorporated, (SCANZ).

   The officials of both organisations and their members must obey all legislation that relates to working with children that applies in the relevant jurisdictions.

2. Everybody participating in youth armoured combat activities is responsible for following our organisation policies with regards to working with children:
   • SCA Ltd policies can be found at https://sca.org.au/documents/policy/children/child-protection/ and https://sca.org.au/documents/policy/children/child-protection/background-check/
   • SCANZ policies can be found at http://www.sca.org.nz/documents
3. All youth armoured combat activities (including practices, events, demos, and wars) must be under the continuous supervision of at least one rostered youth combat marshal, and at least one additional unrelated adult.

In Australia

1. All adults volunteering to be involved as marshals or sparring partners for youth armoured combat in Australia must have a current Working with Children Check, or equivalent.
2. New Zealand adults cannot participate in youth armoured combat in Australia unless they are sparring with or training their own children or those they are the nominated caregiver for, even if they are an authorised youth armoured combat marshal or sparring partner.

In New Zealand

1. SCANZ does not require background checks for suitability for working with children.
2. The parent or nominated caregiver must decide if the youth armoured combat activity is suitable for the minor in their care and ensure they are supervised.
3. Youth armoured combat activities in New Zealand must not be advertised in such a way that implies that anyone running the activity has been vetted for their suitability to interact with minors, or that minors can attend the activity without appropriate supervision from their parent or nominated caregiver.

Membership

1. Children, parents, and nominated caregivers are not required to be members of the SCA to participate in youth armoured combat activities.
2. Youth armoured combat marshals and youth armoured combat authorising marshals must be members of the SCA or its affiliates.

Parent Responsibilities

1. Parents and nominated caregivers are required to read and understand these rules and standards and make sure that their child follows them.
2. The parent's permission to participate is required.
3. Parents must understand this is a contact sport and that injuries can occur.
4. A parent of the child (not nominated caregiver) must witness youth armoured combat, or be present at the first training session, before their child may participate.
5. Youth armoured combat activities are not a babysitting service.
6. If the child is under 10 years old, a parent or nominated caregiver must remain within sight and sound of the youth armoured combat field when the child is participating.
7. Parents are ultimately responsible for the safety and well-being of their children. This requirement cannot be delegated to the SCA or to the marshals on the field.
8. Parents and nominated caregivers have the right and responsibility to remove their child from any contest or activity they may deem inappropriate or hazardous.
9. Parents and nominated caregivers are encouraged to become youth armoured combat marshals.
10. Adults watching youth armoured combat activities must be courteous to the combatants, marshals, and other adults.
11. Adults behaving inappropriately will be asked to leave the youth armoured combat area. This may result in their child having to withdraw from that day's activity.