1. Purpose
Our Child Safety Code of Conduct sets out the expected behaviour of adults with children and young people in our school.
All Princes Hill Secondary College staff, volunteers, contractors, service providers, school council members and any other adult involved in child-connected work must follow the Child Safety Code of Conduct.
The Child Safety Code of Conduct applies to all physical and online environments used by students. It also applies during or outside of school hours and in other locations provided by the school for student use (for example, a school camp).
2. Policy Statement
The Child Safety Code of Conduct sets a high standard of behaviour to protect students from harm and abuse. It aims to:
- identify appropriate and inappropriate behaviours
- cover conduct in physical and online environments
- be developed in consultation with staff and the school community
- be easy to access and understand
- be covered in induction training for all staff and volunteers
- link to relevant child safety policies
- link to relevant human resources and procurement processes
3. Implementation
Acceptable Behaviours
As Princes Hill Secondary College staff, volunteers, contractors, and any other member of our school community involved in child-connected work, we are responsible for supporting and promoting the safety of children by:
- upholding our Princes Hill Secondary College commitment to child safety at all times and adhering to our Child Safety Policy
- treating students and families in our school community with respect in our school environment and outside our school environment as part of normal social and community activities
- listening and responding to the views and concerns of students, particularly if they disclose that they or another child or student has been abused or are worried about their safety or the safety of another child or student
- promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal students, students with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, students with a disability, international students, students who are unable to live at home and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LQBTIQ+) students
- ensuring, as far as practicable, that adults are not alone with a student – one-to-one interactions between an adult and a student are to be in an open space or in line of sight of another adult
- reporting any allegations of child abuse or other child safety concerns to the Wellbeing Coordinator, Head of a Sub School or a member of the Principal Team (see Contacts)
- understanding and complying with all reporting and disclosure obligations (including mandatory reporting) in line with our Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and the PROTECT Four Critical Actions
- if child abuse is suspected, ensuring as quickly as possible that the student(s) are safe and protected from harm
Unacceptable Behaviours
As Princes Hill Secondary College staff, volunteers, contractors and member of our school community involved in child-connected work we must not:
- ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse or harm
- develop a relationship with any student that could be seen as favouritism or amount to ‘grooming’ behaviour (for example, by offering gifts)
- display behaviours or engage with students in ways that are not justified by the educational or professional context
- ignore an adult’s overly familiar or inappropriate behaviour towards a student
- discuss intimate topics or use sexualised language, except when needed to deliver the school curriculum or professional guidance
- treat a child or student unfavourably because of their disability, age, gender, race, culture, vulnerability, sexuality or ethnicity
- communicate directly with a student through personal or private contact channels (including by social media, email, instant messaging, texting etc) except where that communication is reasonable in all the circumstances, related to schoolwork or extra-curricular activities or where there is a safety concern or other urgent matter
- photograph or video a child or student in a school environment except in accordance with the Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy or where required for duty of care purposes
- consume alcohol against school policy or take illicit drugs in the school environment or at school events where students are present
- have contact with any student outside of school hours except when needed to deliver the school curriculum or professional guidance and parental permission has been sought
Breaches to the Child Safety Code of Conduct
All Princes Hill Secondary College staff, volunteers, contractors and any other member of the school community involved in child-connected work who breach this Child Safety Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary procedures in accordance with their employment agreement or relevant industrial instrument, professional code or terms of engagement.
In instances where a reportable allegation has been made, the matter will be managed in accordance with the Department's Reportable Conduct Scheme and may be subject to referral to Victoria Police.
All breaches and suspected breaches of the Princes Hill Secondary College Child Safety Code of Conduct must be reported to the Principal.
If the breach or suspected breach relates to the principal, contact the DET Regional Office (nwvr@education.vic.gov.au or 1300 338 691).
4. Evaluation & Review
This policy will be reviewed every 2 years in accordance with Ministerial Order 1359.
5. Definitions
See Child Safe Standards - Definitions for a list of defined terms used in relation to the Victorian Child Safe Standards and Ministerial Order 1359.
6. References
Child Safe Standards for Education Providers
Victorian Government - Child Safety Code of Conduct
Victorian Government - Develop your school's child safety code of conduct
7. Related Policies
Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy
Department Policy and Advisory Library (PAL) links: