Child Safe Policy

Policy

All staff, volunteers and contractors of Transit Dance are required to observe child safe principles and expectations for appropriate behaviour towards and in the company of children, as noted below. 

All personnel of Transit Dance are responsible for supporting the safety, participation, wellbeing and empowerment of children by:

  • adhering to Transit Dance child safe policy at all times / upholding Transit Dance statement of commitment to child safety at all times

  • taking all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse

  • treating everyone with respect

  • listening and responding to the views and concerns of children, particularly if they are telling you that they or another child 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 (for example, by never questioning an Aboriginal child’s self-identification)

  • promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of children with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds (for example, by having a zero tolerance of discrimination)

  • promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of children with a disability (for example, during personal care activities)

  • ensuring as far as practicable that adults are not left alone with a child. All private lessons must be conducted with windows and where appropriate doors open. Parents or carers must have an option of sitting in on the class and these classes will be regularly visited by staff of Transit Dance

  • reporting any allegations of child abuse to Transit Dance Child Safety Officer Gina Dwipayana / leadership, and ensure any allegation to reported to the police or child protection

  • reporting any child safety concerns to Transit Dance Child Safety Officer Gina Dwipayana / leadership

  • if an allegation of child abuse is made, ensure as quickly as possible that the child(ren) are safe

  • encouraging children to ‘have a say’ and participate in all relevant organisational activities where possible, especially on issues that are important to them.

Staff and volunteers must not:

  • develop any ‘special’ relationships with children that could be seen as favouritism (for example, the offering of gifts or special treatment for specific children)

  • exhibit behaviours with children which may be construed as unnecessarily physical. It is understood that physical contact in the dance environment is important, for example correcting a child’s position of arms or feet however this will be appropriate physical contact with no sexual or abusive intention

  • put children at risk of abuse (for example, by locking doors)

  • 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 (for example, personal social activities)

  • use inappropriate language in the presence of children

  • express personal views on cultures, race or sexuality in the presence of children

  • discriminate against any child, including because of culture, race, ethnicity or disability

  • attend work under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol or discuss the use of these with any children

  • have contact with a child or their family outside of our organisation without our child safety officer’s knowledge and/or consent (for example, no babysitting). Accidental contact, such as seeing people in the street, is appropriate)

  • have any online contact with a child or their family (unless necessary, for example providing families with e-newsletters)

  • ignore or disregard any suspected or disclosed child abuse.

  • yell at children in a demeaning manner

  • Ignore, threaten, isolate, bully or intimidate children

By observing these standards you acknowledge your responsibility to immediately report any breach of this code to Transit Dance Child Safety Officer Gina Dwipayana / leadership.

Failure to Comply With This Code of Conduct Where a staff member (teaching & non-teaching),  casual relief staff, volunteers, contractors, parents or carers are suspected of breaching any obligation, duty or responsibility within this Policy, Transit Dance will take disciplinary action, including in the case of serious breaches, summary dismissal.

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of abuse phone 000.

Reporting Policy

Should a child safety concern be raised within our organisation concerning any of our students, teachers, staff, volunteers or any other person accessing our facilities then the following process will be followed:

Anyone may make a report to Child Protection or the Police if they believe, on reasonable grounds, that a child is in need of protection.

It is a requirement of all staff and volunteers that suspected criminal child abuse must be reported to the police or child protection as soon as is practicable.

Concerns about the safety and wellbeing of children can range from an uncomfortable feeling through to a direct observation or a disclosure by a child. All members of our organisation are encouraged to speak to someone and be proactive rather than wait until it is too late.

Examples of child safety concerns include:

  • Concerns about a physical environment that may pose a risk to children (this includes health and hygiene issues);

  • Inappropriate or special relationships developing between staff or volunteers and children;

  • Inadequate staff–child supervision ratios;

  • Breaches of the Code of Conduct, particularly if they are persistent;

  • Feelings of discomfort about interactions between a staff member or volunteer and a child;

  • Suspicions or beliefs that children are at risk of harm;

  • Observations of concerning changes in behaviour;

  • Children’s disclosures of abuse or harm, which must be reported to Child Protection or the police.

Should you have a concern about any of the above you should immediately speak with our child safe champion Gina Dwipayana. Should the champion not be available you must either speak with the owner or manager. You must make a direct report yourself or with the child safe champion, manager or owner to Child Protection or the Police.

Once a report has been made or concerns have been raised in our organisation an internal investigation will commence immediately. This may include:

  • immediate contact with Police and/or Child Protection;

  • talking with members of the organisation including students and taking statements (either verbal or written);

  • reference to any security footage;

  • meetings and further discussions with involved parties;

  • possible immediate suspension of staff and/or volunteers.

All investigations will be fully documented and stored securely.

Any information collected will only be shared with appropriate people and/or organisations.

Please note:  Investigations of any matter by police must always take priority over internal investigations.

The safety and needs of the children in our care will be our primary consideration at all times. Call the police on triple zero (000) if you have immediate concerns for a child’s safety or if you reasonably believe child abuse may have occurred.

Please be aware of and responsive to the following criminal offences which apply to our organisation and help protect children from harm.

Grooming for sexual conduct with a child under the age of 16 years

  • Many perpetrators of sexual offences against children purposely create relationships with victims, their families or carers in order to create a situation where abuse can occur.

  • The grooming offence applies where a person over 18 years of age communicates, by words or conduct, online or face-to-face, with a child under the age of 16 years or with a person who has care, supervision or authority for a child, with the intention of later sexual activity with a child.

Failure to disclose

  • Any adult who forms a reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed by an adult against a child under 16 years of age has an obligation to report that information to police, unless they have a reasonable excuse for not disclosing or exemptions apply.

  • Failure to disclose the information to police is a criminal offence.

  • A reasonable belief is formed if a reasonable person in the same position would have formed the belief on the same grounds.

  • Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk.

  • Failure to disclose obligations apply to all adults in Victoria.

Failure to protect

  • The failure to protect offence commenced on 1 July 2015 and applies to people within organisations who knew of a risk of child sexual abuse by someone in the organisation and had the authority to reduce or remove the risk, but did not act to protect the child.

  • A relevant organisation is one that exercises care, supervision or authority over children, whether as part of its primary function or otherwise.