Safeguarding Children Briefing

Introduction

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

Having read this training - contractors, consultants, counsellors and volunteers 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 basis for the ESG.

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

●      ESG members who have direct contact with students must hold WWVP registration.

●      ESG members who do not hold WWVP registration are not permitted to have any direct contact with students. If likely to have more than incidental contact, then they must be supervised by a person who has completed CET’s online child safety training and who holds an employee WWVP registration.

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 Relief Staff / Contractor / Consultant / Counsellor / Volunteer - 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.