Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct adopted by Council
The draft Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct were on public exhibition from 1 May - 28 May 2023. No submissions were received during the public exhibition period.
The drafts were then taken to the Finance, Community and Services Committee on 3 July 2023, followed by a Council meeting on 10 July, where both documents were adopted. Read the Council meeting agenda and minutes and take a look at the adopted Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct.
Background
Council’s Draft Child Safe Policy and Draft Child Safe Code of Conduct are key foundations for embedding the NSW Child Safe Standards into our organisational culture, leadership and practice across the LGA.
Council has a responsibility to adopt preventative and responsive systems, policies and practices to safeguard children and young people (those aged under 18 years) from harm and abuse.
The purpose of the Draft Child Safe Policy is to provide a set of overarching practices aligned to the Child Safe Standards recommended by the Commonwealth Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2017) that demonstrates Council’s commitment to child safety, principally that:
- Woollahra Council is committed to safeguarding all children’s sense of wellbeing, keeping children safe from harm and abuse whilst supporting them in reaching their full potential.
- Woollahra Council has zero tolerance towards child abuse, whether across the broader community or within the organisation.
- Council will ensure that policies and systems are in place and accessible to protect children and young people, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated seriously.
The Draft Child Safe Organisation Policy will apply to all
paid and unpaid employees of Woollahra Council including contractors,
sub-contractors, trainees, work experience, volunteers and also applies to
elected representatives (Councillors), regardless of whether the employee or
elected representative is in child-related employment.
The purpose of Draft Child Safe Code of Conduct is to set
expectations for how adults at Council should behave around children. It
identifies positive child safe behaviours that Council encourages all adults to
support and identifies behaviours that Council considers unacceptable. The Draft Child Safe Code of Conduct
will apply to full-time, part-time, fixed contract staff, casual and agency staff,
volunteers, contractors and sub-contractors and Councillors.
The 10 Child Safe Standards of Child Safe Organisations are:
- Child safety is embedded in institutional leadership, governance and culture.
- Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
- Families and communities are informed and involved.
- Equity is upheld and diverse needs are taken into account.
- People working with children are suitable and supported.
- Processes to respond to complaints of child sexual abuse are child focussed.
- Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training.
- Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse to occur.
- Implementation of Child Safe Standards is continuously reviewed and improved.
- Policies and procedures document how the institution is child safe.
NSW Reportable Conduct Scheme
The NSW Reportable Conduct Scheme monitors how organisations investigate and report on allegations of certain conduct towards children and is governed by the Children's Guardian Act 2019 and administered by the Office of the Children's Guardian.
Our responsibilities
Under the Reportable Conduct Scheme, public authorities, such as Woollahra Council, have a responsibility to formally respond to allegations of conduct that is harmful to children. Our role as a Local Government is to foster an environment which prioritises the protection of children and young people within our organisation and the wider community. Council’s Draft Child Safe Policy and Draft Child Safe Code of Conduct are key foundations for embedding the NSW Child Safe Standards into our organisational culture, leadership and practice across the Local Government Area (LGA).
Mandatory Reporter
In addition to the obligations outlined above, the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (the Act) defines Mandatory Reporters as those who deliver specific services as defined in the Act, wholly or partially, to children as part of their professional work or other paid employment. The specific services defined in the Act include Children’s services (child care workers, family day carers and home-based carers) and therefore Council’s Woollahra Pre-School is deemed a Mandatory Reporter and specific procedures are in place to ensure Council meets its obligations.
No other services provided by Council are a Mandatory Reporter under the Act.
Draft Child Safe Policy
Council’s Draft Child Safe Policy outlines Council’s commitment to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation including:
- The purpose of the Policy
- A statement of Council’s commitment to child safety
- How Council will embed a child safe culture within the organisation, including through
- Involving children in decision making
- Sound recruitment and selection processes
- Induction and ongoing training
- Reporting obligations
- Protection of individual’s rights to privacy
- Clearly defined roles and responsibilities
Once adopted, it will apply to all paid and unpaid employees of Woollahra Council including contractors, sub-contractors, trainees, work experience, volunteers and also applies to elected representatives (Councillors).
Draft Child Safe Code of Conduct
Council’s Draft Child Safe Code of Conduct sets expectations for how adults at Council should behave around children. It identifies positive child safe behaviours that Council encourages all adults to support and identifies behaviours that Council considers unacceptable. Engaging in unacceptable behaviour would be a breach of the Draft Child Safe Code of Conduct, which for employees may result in formal disciplinary actions including termination of employment.
The Draft Child Safe Code of Conduct will apply to full-time, part-time, fixed contract staff, casual and agency staff, volunteers, contractors and sub-contractors and Councillors in all of Council venues and situations, including direct service delivery, Council events, programs and activities, and in the use of digital technology and social media
Where to from here?
Community feedback will be reported to Council prior to the adoption of the Draft Child Safe Policy and Draft Child Safe Code of Conduct. Both the Policy and Code will be effective from the date of the Council resolution.
Training
Following adoption by Council of the final Child Safe Policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct, training on these will be provided across Council, including to Councillors, and supported by an ongoing training framework.
Have your say
The draft Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct were on public exhibition from 1 May - 28 May 2023.
Feedback was accepted via the form below and via email and mail.
Email to records@woollahra.nsw.gov.au or post to General Manager, Woollahra Council PO Box 61 Double Bay NSW 1360 – please include in the subject line: Child Safe engagement.
