Safeguarding Children Briefing

Introduction

Catholic Education Tasmania (CET) and St Mary's College (SMC) requires its contractors, consultants, counsellors, coaches, volunteers and visitors to read and comprehend this briefing upon initial entry into the College.

Having read this training - contractors, consultants, counsellors, coaches, volunteers and visitors are required to sign the agreement at the end of this briefing for retention.

This process, reading and signing, is to repeated on an annual prior to entry to any CET site where children or young people are present.

Key Points

●      The paramount objective is to keep students safe.

●      Therefore we reduce the risk to our students by:

• Screening workers for suitability – WWVP registration.
• Training our staff to know the boundaries and to be situationally aware.
• Being observant of adult interactions with students.
• Responding with empathy and professionalism to concerns raised by students.
• Reporting allegations and suspicions.

Working with Vulnerable People Registration

●     All Workers (including contractors, consultants, counsellors, coaches, volunteers and visitors) who are engaged in a Child Related Activity or who will be in a CET school environment when children or young people are present must hold verified WWVP registration.

●     As of 01/04/2025, Workers who do not hold RWVP are not permitted to work on a CET site where children or young people are present. The only exception to this is if emergency work is required to be undertaken in order to keep a school open and operational. If a Worker eg: emergency plumber is required and the usual plumber who holds RWVP in not available, the Principal must notify their Principal Lead PRIOR to work being carried out OR within 24 hours of engaging the non-RWVP worker. If a non-RWVP emergency worker is retained in this instance, a school employee who does hold RWVP must supervise the worker at all times. Additional safety considerations and boundaries should be put in place to ensure the Worker does not have any contact with children or young people while they are carrying out their work.

Behaviours and boundaries

DO NOT:

●      Engage in any form of inappropriate behaviour towards children or young people or expose children or young people to such behaviour.

●      Use prejudice, oppressive behaviour or inappropriate language with children and young people.

●      Express personal views on cultures, race, religion or sexuality in the presence of children and young people that could cause offence or humiliation to them or other members of the school community or discriminate against any child or young person based on culture, religion, race, ethnicity or disability.

●      Engage in open discussions of an adult nature in the presence of children and young people.

●      Engage in any form of sexual conduct with a child or young person including making sexually suggestive comments or sharing sexually suggestive material.

●      Engage in any form of behaviour that has the potential to cause a child or young person serious emotional or psychological harm.

●      Develop ‘special’ relationships with children or young people that could be seen as favouritism (for example the offering of gifts or special treatment for specific children or young people).

●      Engage in undisclosed private meetings with a child or young person that is not your own child.

●      Engage in private or inappropriate personal communications with a child or young person through any medium, including any online contact or interactions with a child or young person.

●      Take, receive or publish (including online) photos, movies or recordings of a child or young person without explicit parental/guardian consent and unless strictly school related

●      Post online any information about a child or young person that may identify them by: full name; age; email address; telephone number; residence; school; or details of a club or group they may attend.

●      Ignore or disregard any suspected or disclosed child abuse, neglect or grooming.

Prohibited Conduct on School Premises

●      Smoking or using tobacco products.

●      Consuming, possessing or being under the influence of alcohol.

●      Using, possessing or be under the influence of illicit drugs.

●      Using your position to take advantage of any young person.

DO:

Put Safety First

●      Observe safe work practices and avoid unnecessary risks.

●      Follow reasonable safety instructions given by supervisors.

●      Report any safety hazard or hazardous practice.

Have Respect for Others

●      Treat students, staff and other members of the school community with respect:

●      Treat everyone with courtesy, sensitivity, tact and humility.

●      Dress appropriately.

●      Respect the cultures, beliefs, opinions and decisions of others.

●      Take reasonable instruction from staff and not obstruct staff in the execution of their duties.

Communication

●      Avoid swearing or other use of profanities.

●      Use non-discriminatory and non-judgmental language.

●      Maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality.

●      Be aware of people’s personal space.

●      Be aware of own body language.

 

Reporting Child Safety Concerns

Workers are required to report breaches of the behaviours and boundaries set out above to the school principal.

Furthermore, all adults in the course of their work with CET, whether paid or in a voluntary capacity, have legislated mandatory reporting obligations.

Workers must make a child safety notification to the Strong Families Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line (1800 000 123) as soon as possible if he or she knows, believes or suspects that a child or young person has been or is being abused, harmed or neglected.

Abuse, harm or neglect includes:

●      Sexual abuse.

●      Grooming.

●      Physical or emotional injury.

Catholic Education Tasmania Child Safety Agreement

Dear contractors, consultants, relief staff, counsellors, coaches, volunteers and visitors - having read and understood this briefing please read and complete the below details and press the green Submit button.

I the undersigned will not do or say anything that places the personal safety, privacy or dignity of any student at risk. Also, I will adhere to the behaviours and boundaries set out in this Child Safety Briefing and I will not initiate or encourage any out-of-school contact with any CET student who is not a close relative.

Furthermore, I understand that breaches of those behaviours and boundaries may lead to disciplinary action, police involvement or termination of my relationship with CET.