Policies and procedures
POLICY NO: C-29
DATE: 19 April 2007
Council
Resolution 2007/1/5
AMENDMENTS:
REFERENCE AUTHORITY: Director: Human Resources
Director: Student and Academic Services
CROSS REFERENCES:
The University is committed to the safety and welfare of children and their right to live free of abuse and neglect. The University will uphold this goal in all its child-related activities. The primary consideration in planning any activity for children will be the overriding importance of ensuring that it contributes to their well being and does not expose them to harm, including the risk of injury, sexual, physical or emotional abuse.
University staff or students usually work with children in situations where another organisation and its staff have primary responsibility for the children involved. Examples include when University students undertake professional placements in schools, hospitals or industry and when school children visit the University with their teachers to use University facilities or to attend University events. This policy does not apply in such situations where University staff and students are required to act in accordance with the relevant agency’s or host organisation's child protection protocols.
However, there will be instances where University students and staff undertaking research with children, or supervising children on University grounds or in camps or other activities off campus, will be in loco parentis' and will have primary responsibility for the welfare of the children involved. This responsibility extends to any informal continuation of a University activity or any related activity which may be construed by the public as a University activity.
This policy is intended primarily to provide a child protection framework for such situations.
While all University activities will be conducted in accordance with the intent of this policy and the related procedures, the policy is not applicable in the following situations:
This is only one of the University policies which relate to child protection issues. The Acceptable Use of Information Technology (IT) Facilities Policy (C-22.1, referenced above), for example, prohibits the use of the University’s IT system to access and/or distribute pornography. Other University policies that are relevant are listed in the section Cross-References.
The following definitions apply to this policy:
Where the Head of School or relevant line manager believes the requirements of this policy are not being met, the activity should be terminated or any children involved in the activity should be withdrawn from that activity.
1 All students and staff who are engaged in activities to which this policy applies will:
2 University staff or students responsible for any activity involving children must ensure that they meet their obligations under the Children’s Protection Act, and any other relevant legislation. Advice on this can be sought from the Human Resources Unit.
3 All University staff and student supervisors must at all times observe protocols for child protection, and in particular:
4 All proposed activities involving children must be approved by the relevant Head of School or equivalent level manager prior to their conduct. Approval is also necessary for any informal continuation of a University activity or any related activity which may be construed by the public as a University activity and which falls within the scope of this policy.
5 In approving such an activity the relevant Head of School or Manager or Director should have regard to this policy and in particular to the level of training of staff or students in a supervisory role that is necessary for the activity to be conducted safely.
6 All activities covered by this policy should be clearly described to all participants as a University activity.
7 In order for a child to be involved in a University activity that falls within the scope of this policy, before the event the University must provide the child's parent(s) or guardian with:
8 While parents of children involved in events may also participate, they must not be placed in a supervisory role in relation to other children unless they meet all the requirements for staff or student supervisors specified in this policy.
9 No child will be permitted to be involved in a University activity unless the University staff member or student in charge of the activity is in possession of an authority (note) signed by the child’s parent(s) or guardian(s) consenting to the child’s involvement in that activity.
10 Notes of consent or other authorities must give details of the proposed activity and the activity must be conducted as described in the consent note.
11 The ratio of adults to children in any University activity must be adequate to ensure the proper supervision of children at all times and to be in accord with State, Federal and Territory Licensing regulations, requirements and in keeping with normal early childhood practice.
12 In any activity which may involve children using a toilet, washing or sleeping, supervision is to be provided in accord with State, Federal and Territory Licensing regulations and requirements and in keeping with normal early childhood practice.
13 In all University activities involving children the staff member or student supervisor must be mindful of the safety of the children at all times, and must not conduct any activity for which they do not have the appropriate training.
14 One or more University supervisors must have appropriate first aid training or ready access to a University First Aid Officer. An appropriate first aid kit should also be readily accessible.
15 University staff and students involved in activities with children must comply with mandatory reporting legislation which requires that suspicions of child abuse are reported directly to the Child Abuse Reportline (Tel 13 14 78). Concerns about the behaviour or intent of any person involved in the activity must be reported to the supervisor of the activity or to the senior member of University staff whose contact details are given in the information sheet.
16 Any complaint about a University activity involving children should be directed to the senior member of University staff identified in the information sheet provided to parents, who must seek advice from the Director: Human Resources or nominee in dealing with the complaint.
Useful guidance on choosing safe assistants/staff and on organising and conducting activities with children, in relation to child protection, can be found on the Childwise web site: http://www.childwise.net
1See definitions below
2 A relevant body approved to make judgement on a national police check includes:
