Kamaruka takes a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and is fully committed to ensuring that its strategies, policies, procedures and practices meet all Child Safety Standards as specified in Ministerial Order No. 1359 (2022)

Kamaruka is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

Our school community recognises the importance of, and responsibility for, ensuring our school is safe, supportive and enriching environment which respects and fosters the dignity and self-esteem of children and young people, and enables them to thrive in their learning and development.

This Code of Conduct aims to protect children and reduce any opportunities for child abuse or harm to occur. It also assists in understanding how to avoid or better manage risky behaviours and situations. It is intended to complement child protection legislation, government policy, school policies and procedures, and professional standards or code of ethics as these apply to staff and other personnel.

The Board members, Principal and school leaders will support the implementation and monitoring of the Code of Conduct. We will plan, implement and monitor arrangements to provide inclusive, safe and orderly schools and other learning environments.

Kamaruka will provide information and support to enable the Code of Conduct to operate effectively. All staff, parents/guardians, contractors, volunteers and any other member of the school community involved in child-related work are required to comply with the Code of Conduct by observing expectations for appropriate behaviour below.

The Code of Conduct applies in all school situations, including school camps and in the use of digital technology and social media.

Acceptable behaviours: As staff, parents/guardians, volunteers, contractors, and any other member of the school community involved in child-related work individually, we are responsible for supporting and promoting the safety of children by:

• upholding the school’s statement of commitment to child safety at all times and adhering to the school’s Child Safe Policy and Child Safety Reporting Obligations and Procedures.
• treating students and families in the school community with respect both within the school environment and outside the school environment as part of normal social and community activities.
• listening and responding to the views and concerns of students, particularly if they are telling you that they or another child has been abused or that they are worried about their safety/the safety of another child.
• promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
• promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of students with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of students with a disability.
• reporting any allegations of child abuse or other child safety concerns to the school’s leadership or child safety officers.
• understanding and complying with all reporting or disclosure obligations (including mandatory reporting) as they relate to protecting children from harm or abuse.
• if child abuse is suspected, ensuring as quickly as possible that the student(s) are safe and protected from harm.

Unacceptable behaviours

As staff, parents/guardians, volunteers, contractors, and any other member of the school community involved in child-related work we must not:

• ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse.
• develop a relationship with any student that could be seen as favouritism or amount to ‘grooming’ behaviour (for example, offering gifts).
• exhibit behaviours or engage in activities with students which may be interpreted as abusive and not justified by the educational, therapeutic, or service delivery context.
• ignore behaviours by other adults towards students when they appear to be overly familiar or inappropriate.
• discuss content of an intimate nature or use sexual innuendo with students, except where it occurs relevantly in the context of parental guidance, delivering the education curriculum or a therapeutic setting.
• treat a child 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 extracurricular activities or where there is a safety concern or other urgent matter.
• photograph or video a child in a school environment except in accordance with school policy or where required for duty of care purposes.
• in the school environment or at other school events where students are present, consume alcohol contrary to school policy or take illicit drugs under any circumstances.

Agreement to the Child Safety Code of Conduct

A copy of this Child Safety Code of Conduct is provided to all Staff, Direct Contact Volunteers and Direct Contact Contractors at induction, or otherwise prior to them commencing work at the Kamaruka. It is also communicated via refresher training at regular intervals for all Staff, Direct Contact Volunteers and relevant Contractors.

All Staff and Direct Contact Volunteers must sign an agreement to adhere to this Child Safety Code of Conduct prior to commencing work at Kamaruka.

This Child Safety Code of Conduct forms part of the contract between Kamaruka and Direct Contact Contractors. Therefore, all Direct Contact Contractors are deemed to have agreed to adhere to the Child Safety Code of Conduct upon signing the contract or upon commencing work at Kamaruka.

Consequences for Breach of the Child Safety Code of Conduct

Staff, including the Board and the Principal, Volunteers and Contractors who breach this Child Safety Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary actions that may result in a range of measures including (depending on the severity of the breach):

• remedial education
• counselling
• increased supervision
• the restriction of duties
• appointment to an alternate role
• suspension
• in the case of serious breaches, termination of employment, contract or engagement.

Were any other member of the Kamaruka Community breaches any obligation, duty or responsibility within the Child Safety Code of Conduct, Kamaruka will take appropriate action.

Report Any Concerns

Third Party Contractors, External Education Providers, Indirect Contact Volunteers, students, parents/carers or other community members who have concerns that a child may be subject to abuse are asked to contact a member of leadership or one of the Kamaruka’ s Child Safety Officers.

Communications will be treated confidentially on a 'need to know basis'.

Whenever there are concerns that a child is in immediate danger, the Police should be contacted on 000.

RELATED DOCUMENTS AND RESOURCES

This document should be read in conjunction with:

• Kamaruka Child Safe Policies
• The Victorian Teaching Profession Code of Conduct

EVALUATION

This policy will be reviewed as per our three-year review cycle or more often if necessary, due to changes in regulations or circumstances.