All representatives of the Agency are specifically required to observe child safe principles and expectations for appropriate behaviour towards and in the company of children and vulnerable people, as noted below. All representatives of the Agency are responsible for supporting the safety, participation, wellbeing and empowerment of children and vulnerable people.
Representatives will:
- adhere to the Agency child safe policy at all times / upholding the Agency statement of commitment to child safety at all times
- abide by the philosophy of our organisation
- observe all the rules of our organisation
- Provide supports to participants/families in a safe, ethical manner with care and skill
- Work safely and competently, in accordance with the policies and procedures of our organisation
- Respect the dignity, culture, values and beliefs of all individuals
- Respond in flexible and innovative ways to support participant/family decision-making
- positively represent our organisation
- wear clean and appropriate work clothes, or uniform, while at work
- Adhere to all our record keeping and accounting procedures
- Provide quality services
- taking all reasonable steps to protect children and vulnerable people from abuse
- treating everyone with respect
- be honest and trustworthy
- will perform all duties in a diligent and conscientious manner, always performing WOW factors, maintaining a clean and tidy workplace
- listening and responding to the views and concerns of children and vulnerable people, particularly if they are telling you that they or another child or vulnerable person has been abused and/or are worried about their safety or the safety of another
- promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal children and vulnerable people (for example, by never questioning an Aboriginal child’s or vulnerable person’s self-identification)
- promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of children and vulnerable people with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds (for example, by having a zero tolerance of discrimination)
- promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of adults and children with a disability (for example, during personal care activities)
- reporting any allegations of child abuse or any child safety concerns to the Agency via our incident reports page and ensure any allegation to reported to the police or child protection. Mandatory reporting is a requirement by law. (see contact details below)
- if an allegation of child abuse is made, ensure as quickly as possible that the child(ren) are safe
- encouraging children and vulnerable people to ‘have a say’ and participate in all relevant organisational activities where possible, especially on issues that are important to them
- act with integrity
- be transparent when making decisions or giving advice
- ensure all actions can withstand scrutiny
- respect the individual’s rights to freedom of expression, self-determination, and decision-making in accordance with laws and conventions
- give accurate information and prompt attention and observe fairness and equity in their dealings with others
- respect privacy and confidentiality
- create a safe work environment that is free of abuse, violence, discrimination, harassment or victimisation
- treat all people in a manner that demonstrates respect and ensures their environment is safe, taking all reasonable steps to prevent any activities that will impact on the quality and safety of the services provided
- report to supervisor any potential or real risks of harm to the person with a disability
Representatives must not:
- develop any ‘special’ relationships with children or vulnerable people that could be seen as favouritism (for example, the offering of gifts or special treatment for specific children)
- engage in sexual misconduct with participants/families or exhibit behaviours with children or vulnerable people which may be construed as unnecessarily physical (for example inappropriate sitting on laps. Sitting on laps could be appropriate sometime, for example while reading a storybook to a small child in an open plan area)
- put children or vulnerable people at risk of abuse
- take illegal drugs or consume alcohol when on duty, or on the organisation or participant/family’s premises or have then in their possession
- engage in any form of bullying or harassment; or physical, verbal or emotional abuse of others
- do things of a personal nature that a child can do for themselves, such as toileting or changing clothes
- engage in open discussions of a mature or adult nature in the presence of children or vulnerable people (for example, personal social activities)
- use inappropriate language in the presence of children or vulnerable people
- express personal views on cultures, race or sexuality in the presence of children or vulnerable people
- discriminate against any child or vulnerable person on any basis, including because of culture, race, ethnicity or disability
- shall not take nor allow any unauthorised person or persons into the home of the client or transfer these children or vulnerable people to another person unless that person has been approved by the Agency and/or the client
- will not take photographs or video footage of any child, vulnerable person or family property or premises nor communicate any information regarding the child, vulnerable person and family through social media or other public platforms
- have contact with a child or their family outside of our organisation without our knowledge and/or consent (for example, extra babysitting). Accidental contact, such as seeing people in the street, is appropriate
- discuss, give or disclose confidential issues directly or indierctly with people outside the organisation; regard all information provided by a participant/family as confidential, and never disclose personal information to a participant/family
- have any online contact with a child, vulnerable person or their family (unless necessary, for example providing families with e-newsletters)
- ignore or disregard any suspected or disclosed abuse or child abuse
- harass other staff members of our organisation
- alienate participants/families from their family or representatives
- accept gifts or purchase items from participants/families
- take a participant/family to their (Staff) home or engage in a relationship with a participant/family outside of a professional association
By observing these standards you acknowledge your responsibility to immediately report any breach of this code to either The Agency or contact one of the following:
- Victoria – Child Protection Crisis Line on 13 12 78
- New South Wales – Child Protection Helpline 13 12 11
- Queensland – Child Safety Service Centre on 1800 177 135
- South Australia – Child Abuse Report Line 13 14 78
- Western Australia – Western Australian Police Force on 131 444
- Northern Territory – Child Protection Reporting Hotline on 1800 700 250
If you believe a child or vulnerable person is at immediate risk of abuse phone 000.