Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House CODE OF CONDUCT
We are committed to having an organisation that is safe for all children where child abuse and harm are not tolerated. Child safety is a priority for Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House and the prevention and reporting of abuse is supported and encouraged. All Committee members, staff, volunteers and facilitators are responsible for promoting the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of children. Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House recognises that discrimination can harm children and we treat all children with dignity and respect.
This Code of Conduct sets expectations for how Committee members, staff, volunteers and facilitators at Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House should behave around children. This helps children participate safely in our programs/activities and have fun.
Not following standards of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour is a breach of this Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary action. Some behaviours on their own may not be a serious breach of the Code of Conduct but together may indicate a concerning pattern of behaviour that poses a risk to the safety of children. Our disciplinary policy provides further information on processes that will be followed if breaches are identified.
All Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House Committee members, staff, volunteers and facilitators must always follow these standards of behaviour, including when at the Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House venue, attending an offsite campus or excursion destination, in our online classes and when engaging with Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House children and their families at any time:
I WILL:
take all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse
take disclosures of harm or abuse made by a child seriously
raise concerns with management if risks to child safety are identified. Report and act on any concerns or observed breaches of this Code of Conduct
participate in available training and professional development, especially training on child safety and wellbeing
treat all children and young people with respect, regardless of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, nationality, cultural background, financial situation, disability or other characteristics
consider the different needs of all children at Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House, support them to participate fully in programs/activities and help them and their families feel included
make Aboriginal children and families feel included and welcome at Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House and support Aboriginal children to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights
never be racist towards anyone at Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House and report any instances of racism I become aware of
help Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House be a place where people of all cultures feel safe and included
listen to children and respond to them if they feel unsafe.
value children and young people’s ideas and opinions
promote friendships and encourage children and young people to support their peers
involve children and young people in decisions about the activities they participate in at Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House and welcome the participation of parents and carers in these decisions
report any conflicts of interest I have (such as an outside relationship with a child) that may affect my ability to perform my role
respect the privacy of children and their families, including keeping all personal information confidential unless required by law to share it
inform parents and carers if there are situations that need to be safely managed but are outside the boundaries of this Code of Conduct (such as driving a child off-site)
ensure breaches of this Code are reported to our Manager immediately
comply with all relevant Australian and Victorian legislation and our child safe policies and procedures
uphold the rights of the child and always prioritise their needs.
I WILL NOT:
condone or participate in illegal, unsafe, abusive or harmful behaviour towards children – this includes physical violence, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, grooming, neglect or sexual misconduct
ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse or harm
exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues
use hurtful or offensive behaviour or language with children
fail to report information to police if I know a child has been abused
touch children in a way that is unnecessary or unsuitable and falls outside what is reasonable to engage with children at Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House
persistently criticise and/or denigrate a child
deliberately prevent a child from forming friendships
verbally assault a child or create a climate of fear
offer children and young people alcohol, cigarettes or other drugs
show children pornographic images
share details of sexual experiences with a child
use sexual language or gestures in the presence of children
initiate unnecessary physical contact with children or do things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves such as changing clothes
develop ‘special’ relationships with specific children or show favouritism through the provision of gifts or unnecessary or unsuitable attention
have unauthorised contact with children and young people online, on social media or by phone
take photographs, screenshots or share images of children involved in programs/activities that are not authorised by Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House
be alone with a child when there is no professional reason for doing so
engage in babysitting, mentoring and/or tutoring a child out of work hours (without managerial approval for this kind of secondary employment)
enter toilets or other facilities without first knocking.
If I suspect that this Code of Conduct has been breached by another person in the organisation:
I WILL:
act to prioritise the best interests of the child or children
promptly take actions to ensure the child or children are safe
as soon as possible report the incident or concerns using the Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House complaints process
maintain the privacy of those involved, following Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House record keeping, privacy and information sharing guidelines
Complaints about a breach of this Code of Conduct must be reported to our Manager. The Manager can be contacted on 50833408, or via email: info@hopehouse.org.au
Committee members, Staff and volunteers who breach our Code of Conduct may also be subject to disciplinary action. Some breaches of this Code of Conduct may need to be reported to the Victorian Police
PLEASE NOTE:
If any person in a position of authority within our organisation becomes aware of a substantial risk that a child may become the victim of a sexual offence committed by an adult associated with the organisation (for example, an employee, facilitator, visitor or volunteer), and they have the power or responsibility to reduce or remove the risk, then they must take all reasonable steps to do so. A person in authority who negligently fails to take appropriate action to address the risk may be charged with the criminal offence of ‘failing to protect’ and may face a term of imprisonment.
If an adult reasonably believes a sexual offence has been committed by an adult against a child under the age of 16, they must report it to Victoria Police by calling 000 or going to their local police station. Failure to disclose the information may be a criminal offence.
I have read this Code of Conduct and agree to abide by its terms.
Name:
Signature:
Date:
Administration only:
Date Code of Conduct implemented:
Review date:
Responsible Party: Committee of Governance
