Childsafe Policy & Statement of Commitment

Child Safe Policy and Statement of Commitment

Contact: The Secretary secretary@madpotters.org.au

The Child Safe standards set by the Australian Federal Government require organisations that provide services for children to have a child safe policy and statement of commitment to child safety and to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children.
This is our public commitment to this statement & policy. 

Mansfield & District Potters (MAD Potters) Commitment to child safety.
All children who come to Mansfield & District Potters have a right to feel and be safe. The welfare of the children in our care will always be our first priority and we have a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and harm. We aim to create a child safe and child-friendly environment where children feel safe and have fun while enjoying learning pottery and participating in our organisation.

  • MAD Potters ensures that all children feel safe, and are safe, when participating in our organisation. This includes Aboriginal & Torres Strait children.
  • We are committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of all children.
  • We support and respect all children, as well as our staff and volunteers.
  • We have zero tolerance of child abuse, racism and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently with our robust policies and procedures.
  • We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously.
  • Our organisation understands that a child’s ability to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights is encouraged and actively supported.
  • Our organisation is committed to preventing child abuse and identifying risks early and removing and reducing these risks.
  • Our organisation has consideration of these child safety requirements for all staff and volunteers at the point of commencement of involvement.
  • Our organisation is committed to raising awareness and endorsement of best practice for staff and volunteers on child abuse risks.
  • We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, the cultural safety of children from a culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.
  • If you believe a child is at immediate risk of abuse phone 000.

Purpose
This Policy outlines how Mansfield & District Potters prioritises the safety and wellbeing of children and what steps we will take to do this.

Scope
This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, Management Committee members, children and other individuals involved in our organisation. This policy applies to all activities – classes, tutoring and other events – conducted by MAD Potters.

Definitions

Management Committee means the President & Committee Members as defined in MAD Potters Rules of Association.
Child abuse means:

  • a sexual offence committed against a child
  • an offence committed against a child under section 49M(1) of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), such as grooming
  • physical violence against a child
  • causing serious emotional or psychological harm to a child
  • serious neglect of a child.


Harm is damage to the health, safety or wellbeing of a child or young person, including as a result of child abuse by adults or the conduct of other children. It includes physical, emotional, sexual and psychological harm. Harm can arise from a single act or event and can also be cumulative, that is, arising as a result of a series of acts or events over a period of time.

Child/Children means a person who is under the age of 18 years.

Concerns and complaints

A concern refers to any potential issue that could impact negatively on the safety and wellbeing of children.

A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction to Mansfield & District Potters related to one or more of the following:

  • our services or dealings with individuals
  • allegations of abuse or misconduct by a staff member, a volunteer or another individual associated with MAD Potters
  • disclosures of abuse or harm made by a child or young person
  • the conduct of a child or young person at MAD Potters
  • the inadequate handling of a prior concern
  • general concerns about the safety of a group of children or activity.

Role of the Management Committee

The Management Committee has the role of making sure Mansfield & District Potters prioritises children’s safety and that action is taken when anyone raises concerns about children’s safety.

The Management Committee will champion and model a child safe culture at our events. We encourage anyone involved with the organisation to report a child safety concern. The Management Committee will work to create a positive culture around reporting so that people feel comfortable to raise concerns.

Everyone at Mansfield & District Potters has a role in identifying and managing risks of child abuse and harm. The Management Committee will make sure that staff and volunteers are conducting risk assessments and taking action to manage risks in accordance with this policy. They will also ensure that appropriate child safety training for staff and volunteers is identified and completed.

The Management Committee will conduct an annual review of how effectively Mansfield & District Potters is delivering child safety and wellbeing. The input of people involved with Mansfield & District Potters will be sought as part of this review.

Code of Conduct

Mansfield & District Potters has a Child Safe Code of Conduct. Staff, volunteers and the Management Committee must comply with the Code of Conduct at all times. Breaches of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action including termination of a person’s involvement with the organisation.

All third-party contractors are also expected to abide by the Child Safe Code of Conduct, and where they are engaging with children will have to sign an agreement to comply with the code, prior to delivering any services.

Our children

This policy is intended to empower children who are vital and active participants in our organisation. We involve them when making decisions, especially about matters that directly affect them. We listen to their views and respect what they have to say.

We promote diversity and tolerance in our organisation, and people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds are welcome. In particular we:

  • promote the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal children
  • promote the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds
  • ensure that children with a disability are safe and can participate equally.
  • ensure we foster an inclusive and welcoming physical and online environment for children of all cultures.
  • ensure we create an inclusive and welcoming physical and online environment for Aboriginal children and their families by acknowledging and respecting Aboriginal peoples, communities, cultures and values.

Our staff and volunteers

This policy guides our staff and volunteers on how to behave with children in our organisation. All of our staff and volunteers must agree to abide by our code of conduct which specifies the standards of conduct required when working with children. All staff and volunteers, as well as children and their families, are given the opportunity to contribute to the development of the code of conduct.

Child Safe Policy

Education and supervision

Education and Supervision are important to ensure that everyone in our organization understands that child safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Our organisational culture aims for all staff and volunteers (in addition to parents/carers and children) to feel confident and comfortable in discussing any allegations of child abuse or child safety concerns. Our staff and volunteers are supported to identify, assess, and minimise risks of child abuse and to detect potential signs of child abuse.

Those new to our organisation will be advised of our child safe policy and procedures to ensure they understand our organisation’s commitment to child safety and their obligations. Everyone has a role to play in protecting children from abuse, as well as checking that their behaviour towards children is safe and appropriate. Any inappropriate behaviour will be reported through appropriate channels, including the

Department of Health and Human Services and Victoria Police, depending on the severity and urgency of the matter.

Recruiting staff and volunteers

Mansfield & District Potters puts child safety and wellbeing at the centre of recruitment and screening processes for staff and volunteers as outlined in the recruitment and screening policy. We only recruit staff and volunteers who are appropriate to engage with children. Members of the Management Committee must also be screened.

We require a Working with Children Check for all staff and volunteers who have a role with children or have access to children’s personal information. We require staff to have appropriate qualifications for their roles and check to make sure these qualifications are valid. Members of the Management Committee must hold a valid Working with Children Check.

Record keeping

Mansfield & District Potters is committed to making and keeping full and accurate records about all child-related complaints or safety concerns.

All child safety complaints, concerns, incidents and near misses will be recorded in the incident reporting system.

Records which may assist with the investigation of a complaint or safety concern will be identified and kept as part of the record of an investigation. Records will be kept even if an investigation does not substantiate a complaint.

We will record and keep the outcome of any investigations, and the resolution of any complaints. This includes findings made, reasons for decisions and actions taken.

Records will be stored securely and kept by Mansfield & District Potters for at least 45 years.

Information sharing

Mansfield & District Potters may share relevant information to promote the safety and wellbeing of children, where it is appropriate and in their best interests. Mansfield & District Potters will keep information about complaints confidential, except where it is necessary to share information to respond properly to a complaint or to prioritise child safety. We may also need to share information about incidents or complaints with external authorities to comply with the law or to prioritise safety.

Non-compliance with this policy and the Code of Conduct

Mansfield & District Potters will enforce this policy, the Code of Conduct and any other child safety and wellbeing policies (see list below). Potential breaches by anyone will be investigated and may result in restriction of duties, suspension or termination of employment or engagement or other corrective action. More information can be found in our Rules of Association Grievance Process.

Review

Mansfield & District Potters will review all child safe practices and policies at least every two years. We also review relevant practices and policies in response to a child safety incident or ‘near miss’. Findings from reviews will be reported to the people involved in our organisation and also inform our approach to continuous improvement of our child safety practices. Reviews are overseen by the Management Committee and will be informed by consultation with children, families and staff.

This policy will be reviewed every two years and following significant incidents if they occur. We will ensure that families and children have the opportunity to contribute. Where possible we do our best to work with local Aboriginal communities, culturally and/or linguistically diverse communities and people with a disability.

Fair procedures for personnel

The safety and wellbeing of children is our primary concern. We are also fair and just to personnel. The decisions we make when assessing incidents, and undertaking disciplinary action will always be thorough, transparent, and based on evidence.

If need arose, we would record all allegations of abuse and safety concerns and secure storage of confidential and/or sensitive information.

If an allegation of abuse or a safety concern is raised, we provide updates to children and families on progress and any actions we as an organisation take.

Privacy

All personal information considered or recorded will respect the privacy of the individuals involved, whether they be staff, volunteers, parents or children, unless there is a risk to someone’s safety. We have safeguards and practices in place to ensure any personal information is protected.

Legislative responsibilities

Our organisation takes our legal responsibilities seriously, including:

  • Failure to disclose: Reporting child sexual abuse is a community-wide responsibility. All adults in Victoria who have a reasonable belief that an adult has committed a sexual offence against a child under 16 have an obligation to report that information to the police.
  • Failure to protect: People of authority in our organisation will commit an offence if they know of a substantial risk of child sexual abuse and have the power or responsibility to reduce or remove the risk, but negligently fail to do so.
  • Any personnel who are mandatory reporters must comply with their duties.

Risk management

In Victoria, organisations are required to protect children when a risk is identified (see information about failure to protect above). In addition to general occupational health and safety risks, we proactively manage risks of abuse to our children.

Regular review

Allegations, concerns and complaints

Our organisation takes all allegations seriously and has a commitment to investigate thoroughly and promptly. We report to the police in these situations.

We work to ensure all children, families, staff and volunteers know what to do and who to tell if they observe abuse or are a victim, and if they notice inappropriate behaviour.

We all have a responsibility to report an allegation of abuse if we have a reasonable belief that an incident took place (see information about failure to disclose above).

If an adult has a reasonable belief that an incident has occurred then they must report the incident. Factors contributing to reasonable belief may be:

  • a child states they or someone they know has been abused (noting that sometimes the child may in fact

be referring to themselves)

  • behaviour consistent with that of an abuse victim is observed
  • someone else has raised a suspicion of abuse but is unwilling to report it.
  • observing suspicious behaviour.

The Working with Children Check is a screening process for assessing or re-assessing people who work with or care for children in Victoria.

The Check takes a detailed look at the criminal history and relevant professional conduct findings of applicants to ensure we’re helping to protect children from sexual or physical harm.

Apply for a Working With Children Check:
https://service.vic.gov.au/services/working-with-children

Why is having a WWC Check so important?

Mansfield & District Potters (MAD Potters)is committed to the safeguarding of children and young people and acknowledges a safeguarding organization doesn’t just happen; it requires conscious action to protect children from harm.

It is imperative that we provide a safe and supportive environment for children and young people, that focus on fun, education and building the confidence of our people through positive learning and development.

Mansfield & District Potters (MAD Potters) is a unique organisation that has multiple purposes including community service, education and leadership opportunities and programs. Each of these individual aspects inter-relate with each other.

It is due to the multifaceted nature of MAD Potters, that members 18 years of age and over, that this policy must be broadly applied.

Who needs to have a WWC Check within MAD Potters?

Any person 18 years and over, in a voluntary or salaried position, who works with person’s under 18 years of age in any capacity is required to have a valid Working with Children Check registered to Mansfield & District Potters (MAD Potters). The Department of Justice WWC Check website defines “Child related work as contact with a child that is ‘direct’ and part of the person’s duties.

Mansfield & District Potters Organisational Responsibilities:

  • Not engage or continue to engage anyone in child-related work who doesn’t have a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check, unless they are exempt under the Worker Screening Act 2020 (the Act) or have lodged an application for a Check that’s currently being assessed (subject to the below)
  • Not engage or continue to engage anyone who would otherwise be exempt from holding a valid Check, if they have received a WWC Exclusion and not subsequently received a Check
  • Not engage or continue to engage anyone in child-related work who is subject to obligations or orders specified in clause 1 of Schedule 5 of the Act
  • Not allow people who are charged with, convicted or found guilty of sexual, violent or drug offences specified in clause 2 of Schedule 5 of the Act to work with or care for children while their application is processed or their Check reassessed
  • Not offer the services of any person who doesn’t have a Check to another organisation if the work to be undertaken with that organisation is child-related work
  • Know how to check if a person is allowed to work with children while their application is processed by using the Status Checker
  • Know how to check if a person has a valid Check by using the Status Checker
  • Ensure paid workers doing child-related work have an Employee Check, not a Volunteer Check
  • Know when your workers’ Checks expire, and respect and protect workers’ privacy.

Enquiries to: secretary@madpotters.org.au

The following policies and procedures work together to support child safety and wellbeing across all of our operations: