Children & Young People

Code of Conduct (Working with Children & Young People)

This Code of Conduct applies to:

· Committee Members Staff (permanent, temporary or casual)

· Volunteers

· Children & Young People

· Consultants and Contractors

· Students On Placements

· People Undertaking Work Experience

· Visitors and Spectators

· Other Stakeholders

As a Committee Member, Staff Member, Volunteer , Child or Young Person, Consultant or Contractor, Student on Placement, Person Undertaking Work Experience, Visitor or Spectator or Other Stakeholder of Neighbourhood Centre Caboolture Inc., I will:

· Remember at all times that I am a role model

· Use language and topics of conversation appropriate to the situation

· Respect the diverse and special needs of all children and young people

· Refrain from any physical contact with a child or young person unless it is strictly necessary e.g. if the person is injured

· Always work in an open environment, avoiding unobserved situations

· Use positive reinforcement rather than criticism, competition, or comparison when working with children and young people

· Not make sexually suggestive, sexist or racist comments to, or in the presence of, children and young people

· Not use obscene language in communication with, or in the presence of children and young people

· Not smoke or use tobacco in the presence of children and young people

· Not use, or be under the influence of, alcohol or drugs while performing my role

· Report any suspected abuse of children and young people to my supervisor immediately

· Neither accept expensive gifts from children or young people nor give expensive gifts to them

· Not use any form of physical discipline or any other discipline that frightens or humiliates children and young people

· Not engage in social relationships with children or young people outside of my assigned role

· Not invite children or young people for overnight stays under any circumstances

· Not do for children or young people anything of a personal nature that they can do for themselves.

Risk Management Strategy (Children & Young People)

Statement of Commitment The Neighbourhood Centre Caboolture Inc. is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and will endeavour to ensure that they are protected from harm or risk of harm while they are receiving support services or participating in courses or activities, onsite or offsite.

Strategy ​ The Neighbourhood Centre Caboolture Inc (NCC) will endeavor to prevent harm or risks of harm to children and young people by the following strategies:

· Obtaining a signed undertaking from all Committee Members, staff, volunteers and student placements that they will adhere to the organisation’s Code of Conduct (Working with Children and Young People)

· Have recruitment, selection, training and management strategies that support and encourage best practice and enhance the safety and wellbeing of children and young people

· Have policies and procedures for managing disclosures and suspicions of harm

· Have policies and procedures for managing a breach of the Neighbourhood Centre Caboolture Inc. Risk Management Strategy (Children and Young People)

· Ensuring that all Committee Members, staff, volunteers and student placements hold a current/valid Blue Card

· Conducting a Children’s Activity Risk Assessment before undertaking any activity involving children or young people

· Ensuring that the Committee Members, staff, volunteers, student placements, children and youth, parents and other stakeholders are aware of the Neighbourhood Centre Caboolture Inc. Child Safety Policy and its obligations under the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000 and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and Regulation 2011 through communication and support strategies

· Regular reviews of all policies and procedures to ensure currency and compliance.