Help for non-English speakers

If you need help to understand this policy, please contact Beaufort Secondary College on 03 5349 2305.

Purpose

Our Child Safety Code of Conduct sets out the expected behaviour of adults with children and young people in our school.

All Beaufort Secondary College staff, volunteers, contractors, service providers, School Council members and any other adult involved in child-connected work must follow the Child Safety Code of Conduct.

The Child Safety Code of Conduct applies to all physical and online environments used by students. It also applies during or outside of school hours and in other locations provided by the school for student use (for example, a school camp).

Acceptable Behaviours

As Beaufort Secondary College staff, volunteers, contractors, and any other member of our school community involved in child-connected work, we are responsible for supporting and promoting the safety of children by:

upholding our Beaufort Secondary College commitment to child safety at all times and adhering to our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy.

treating students and families in our school community with respect in our school environment and outside our school environment as part of normal social and community activities

listening and responding to the views and concerns of students, particularly if they disclose that they or another child or student has been abused or are worried about their safety or the safety of another child or student

promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal students, students with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, students with a disability, international students, students who are unable to live at home and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) students

ensuring, as far as practicable, that adults are not alone with a student – one-to-one interactions between an adult and a student are to be in an open space or in line of sight of another adult.

reporting any allegations of child abuse or other child safety concerns to the school’s leadership.

understanding and complying with all reporting and disclosure obligations (including mandatory reporting) in line with our Child safety responding and reporting policy and procedures and the PROTECT Four Critical Actions.

ensuring as quickly as possible that the student(s) are safe and protected from harm, if child abuse is suspected.

Unacceptable Behaviours

As Beaufort Secondary College staff, volunteers, contractors and member of our school community involved in child-connected work, we must not:

ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse or harm

develop a relationship with any student that could be seen as favouritism or amount to ‘grooming’ behaviour (for example, by offering gifts)

display behaviours or engage with students in ways that are not justified by the educational or professional context

ignore an adult’s overly familiar or inappropriate behaviour towards a student

discuss intimate topics or use sexualised language, except when needed to deliver the school curriculum or professional guidance

treat a child or student 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 extra-curricular activities or where there is a safety concern or other urgent matter

photograph or video a child or student in a school environment except in accordance with the Photographing, Filming and Recording Students policy or where required for duty of care purposes

consume alcohol against school policy or take illicit drugs in the school environment or at school events where students are present

have contact with any student outside of school hours except when needed to deliver the school curriculum or professional guidance and parental permission has been sought.

Breaches to the Child Safety Code of Conduct

All Beaufort Secondary College staff, volunteers, contractors and any other member of the school community involved in child-connected work who breach this Child Safety Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary procedures in accordance with their employment agreement or relevant industrial instrument, professional code or terms of engagement.

In instances where a reportable allegation has been made, the matter will be managed in accordance with the Department of Education and Training Reportable Conduct Scheme Policy and may be subject to referral to Victoria Police.

All breaches and suspected breaches of the Beaufort Secondary College Child Safety Code of Conduct must be reported to the Principal, Karl Schier on 5349 2305 or in the case of his absence, an Acting Principal.

If the breach or suspected breach relates to the principal, contact Senior Education Improvement Leader, Dale Power, Department of Education, South Western Region on 1300  333232

Staff Compliance

All DET and Beaufort Secondary College staff, volunteers, School Council members, service providers and any other adult involved in child-connected work must read and agree to follow the Child Safety Code of Conduct by signing Attachment A.

Approval and review

Created date

7th June 2023

Consultation

School Council

Endorsed by

Principal

Endorsed on

21st June 2023

Next review date

June 2025

Attachment A

I have read and agree to comply with the Beaufort Secondary College Child Safe Code of Conduct.


Full NameCompany or OrganisationSignatureDate/ /



Principal or Principal’s Delegate

Karl Schier

Signature


Date

/ /