South Gippsland

Child Safety Policy

[Draft - To be Adopted]

SGWAAC is committed to promoting and protecting the interests and safety of children. We have zero tolerance for child abuse. Everyone working or volunteering with SGWAC is responsible for the care and protection of children and reporting information about child abuse.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is:

1. To prevent child abuse within SGWAAC.
2. To work towards an organizational culture of child
3. To ensure that all parties are aware of their responsibilities for identifying possible risks of child abuse and for establishing controls and procedures for preventing such abuse and/or detecting such abuse when it occurs and reporting
4. To provide guidance to volunteers as to actions that should be taken where they suspect any abuse within or outside of the organization.
5. To provide a clear statement to forbidding any such
6. To provide assurance that all suspected abuse will be reported and fully investigated.

POLICY

SGWAAC is committed to promoting and protecting the best interests of children involved in our activities.

All children, regardless of their gender, race, religious beliefs, age, abilities, sexual orientation, or family or social background, have equal rights to protection from abuse. Everyone working or volunteering at SGWAAC is responsible for the care and protection of the children within our care and reporting information about suspected child abuse.

SGWAAC supports and respects all children, staff and volunteers.

If any person believes a child is in immediate risk of abruse, telephone 000.

Working with Children Checks (WWCC)

For activities directed at adults, a Working with Children Check for leaders is not required; however, if there is a possibility that children may be present then the need for a Working with Children Check should be determined by the Walks Coordinator based on assessed risk.

Where activities are specifically directed at children, trip and activity leaders who will have direct contact with children during those activities should have a current Working with Children Check. This is irrespective of the presence of parents/guardians on the activity concerned.

SGWAAC CHILD SAFETY CODE OF CONDUCT

All people involved in the care of children on behalf of SGWAAC will:

1. Work towards the achievement of the aims and purposes of the organization;
2. Be responsible for relevant administration of programs and activities in their area;
3. Maintain a duty of care towards others involved in these programs and activities;
4. Establish and maintain a child-safe environment in the course of their work;
5. Be fair, considerate and honest with others;
6. Treat children and young people with respect and value their ideas and opinions;
7. Act as positive role models in their contact with children and young people.
8. Be professional in their actions;
9. Maintain strict impartiality;
10. Comply with specific organizational guidelines on physical contact with children;
11. Respect the privacy of children, their families and teachers/caregivers, and only disclose information to people who have a need to know;
12. Maintain a child-safe environment for children and young people;
13. Operate within the policies and guidelines of SGWAAC;
14. Contact the police if a child is at immediate risk of abuse.

No person shall:

1. Shame, humiliate, oppress, belittle or degrade children or young people;
2. Unlawfully discriminate against any child;
3. Engage in any activity with a child or young person that is likely to physically or emotionally harm them;
4. Initiate unnecessary physical contact. with a child or young person, or do things of a personal nature for them that they can do for themselves:
5. Be alone with a child or young person unnecessarily and for more than a very short time;
6. Develop a ‘special’ relationship with a specific child or young person for their own needs;
7. Show favoritism through the provision of gifts or inappropriate attention;
8. Arrange contact, including online contact, with children or young people outside of the organization’s programs and activities:
9. Photograph or video a child or young person without the consent of the child and his/her parents or guardians;
10. Work with children or young people while  uncles the  influence  of alcohol or illegal drugs:
11. Engage in open discussions of a mature or adult nature in the presence of children:
12. Use inappropriate language in the presence of children: or
13. Do anything in contravention of the organization’s policies, procedures or this Code of

 What happens if you breach this Code of Conduct?

If you breach this Code of Conduct you may face disciplinary action, including cessation of all relations with SGWAAC.