• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Principles
• Implementation
• Section 4 - Responsibilities 
• Section 5 - Procedures
• Section 6 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) The purpose of this Policy is to set out the University of Canberra’s (University) approach to Child safety and wellbeing.

(2) The University is committed to providing an environment for work, study and living that is safe, respectful, and inclusive. Being part of the University community means that Students, Staff, and visitors take responsibility for their actions and behaviour and contribute to a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for the entire University community.

(3) The University as part of its day-to day-business activities interacts with Students who are Adults or Children.  Students currently have entitlements and protections pursuant to the University’s Student welfare policies and procedures, Student Charter and Student Grievance Resolution Policy.

(4) Children under 16 years of age have less interaction with the day-to-day operations of the University. The University may interact with this age group through programs designed for schools, research projects which involve Children directly or indirectly, and access to University facilities for community projects which involve Children. University Staff and Students must ensure appropriate care is taken in areas including, school projects, academic or clinical settings and University functions, such as programs designed for schools, University open days, and work experience opportunities.

Section 2 - Scope

(5) This Policy applies to Staff, Students, and Affiliates of the University.

(6) This Policy also applies to contractors, volunteers, downstream partners, placement and service providers, and visitors engaged in University activities either on or off-campus that involve contact with or impact on Children.

Section 3 - Principles

(7) The University has zero tolerance for Child Abuse, Exploitation, Neglect or Sexual Misconduct against a Child.

(8) The University adopts and upholds Australia’s obligations under the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child.

(9) The University adopts and integrates into its day to day operations the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework (CCSF), and, as part of the CCSF, the University adopts the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

(10) The University community is responsible for maintaining a professional and appropriate relationship with Children, including establishing clear boundaries that serve to protect everyone from misunderstandings or a violation of the relationship.

(11) The University is committed to:

1. conducting background checking in accordance with its Employee Background Checks Policy;
2. ensuring that the physical environment of the University promotes safety and wellbeing and minimises the opportunity for Children to be harmed;
3. ensuring that Staff and Students working in close proximity to Children sign the Working with Children Agreement and the Child Safety and Wellbeing Code of Conduct.
4. providing internal reporting processes to allow members of the University community to report any instance of misconduct towards a Child or Young Person, and that those processes are widely communicated and known;
5. applying the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations to services provided directly for the benefit of Children and Young People, and incorporating safety considerations as part of annual University risk assessments;
6. promoting awareness through training of mandatory and voluntary external reporting processes to members of the University community and that the University encourages external reports of misconduct to be made where appropriate;
7. ensuring that there are internal misconduct investigation processes in place that are conducted in accordance with natural justice principles and that those processes are widely communicated and known;
8. ensuring that Children, their parents, guardians and carers are made aware of the support available to them following an instance of misconduct;
9. ensuring that the University’s online environment promotes Child safety and wellbeing and minimises the opportunity for Children to be harmed;
10. ensuring that any images of Children used on the University webpages, marketing material or other publications are appropriate and promote the safety and wellbeing of Children; and
11. promoting Child safety and wellbeing and preventing unacceptable behaviour towards Children through education and training.

(12) The University will regularly undertake a risk assessment of its operations as they relate to Child safety and wellbeing and will identify and implement appropriate measures to continue to mitigate identified risks.

(13) Children enrolled at the University will be informed of the University’s commitment to Child safety and wellbeing and will be encouraged and supported to communicate their views or concerns.

(14) The University enables and encourages the prompt reporting of allegations of Child Abuse, Exploitation, Neglect and Sexual Misconduct against a Child and will take action to comply with its legal obligations to notify authorities of any reasonable suspicion of Child Abuse, Exploitation, Neglect and Sexual Misconduct.

(15) Concerns, complaints or allegations of Child Abuse, Exploitation, Neglect or Sexual Misconduct will be treated in a child-focused, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate manner and with due regard to the principle of procedural fairness.

Implementation

(16) Training, education and information on Child safety and wellbeing will be made available to Staff, Students and Affiliates and the broader University community as relevant.

(17) The University acknowledges that child protection is a shared responsibility between the University and the broader University community. The University will take steps to raise awareness of child protection across the University community.

(18) This Policy will be reviewed in accordance with the Policy Framework Policy to ensure it complies with all mandatory processes for responding to and reporting suspected Child Abuse, any new Child safety standards and any other legislative changes relevant to Child safety.

(19) The Child safety and wellbeing risk register will be reviewed annually in consultation with key stakeholders.

Section 4 - Responsibilities 

Section 5 - Procedures

(20) Refer to Child Safety and Wellbeing Procedure.

Section 6 - Definitions