Code of Conduct

For Staff, Volunteers and contractors working with Children and Young People

Staff, volunteers and contractors at CBFE are required to abide by the Child Safety Code of Conduct.

CBFE recognises, respects and promotes its responsibilities to keep children safe from abuse, and commits to ensuring the safety of children as a priority. CBFE values diversity and will not tolerate child abuse or discriminatory practices.

The Child Safety Code of Conduct aims to protect children and reduce opportunities for child abuse or harm to occur. It is intended to complement CBFE’s other related policies and procedures.

The Child Safety Code of Conduct applies to the broad range of situations where interaction with children and young people may occur in the delivery of CBFE services, including through digital technology and social media.

THE CBFE Inc. Management Committee will:

be responsible for the overall welfare and wellbeing of staff and volunteers
be accountable for managing and maintaining a duty of care towards staff and volunteers
nominate a child safety contact officer to provide information and support to all staff, volunteers, children, young people and their carers regarding child safety matters.

All people involved in the care of children on behalf of CBFE will:

work towards achieving the aims and purposes of the organisation
be responsible for relevant administration of programs and activities in their area
maintain a duty of care towards others involved in these programs and activities
take all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse and harm
establish and maintain a child-safe environment for children and young people in the course of their work
be fair, considerate and honest in their dealings with others
work with children in an open and transparent way
treat children and young people with respect and value their ideas and opinions
encourage children to participate in matters important to them
act as positive role models in their conduct with children and young people and model appropriate adult behaviour
listen to children and respond to their needs appropriately
be professional in their actions
maintain strict impartiality
comply with specific organisational guidelines on physical contact with children
respect the privacy of children and their families, teachers and carers, and disclose information about them only to people who have a need to know
operate within the policies and guidelines of CBFE, including adhering to the Child Safe Policy, at all times
report any allegations of child abuse
contact the police if a child is at immediate risk of abuse (phone 000).

Staff, volunteers and contractors shall work to prevent discrimination and actively promote the participation and inclusion of all children, recognising in particular:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
children in and out of home care and the youth justice system.

Staff, volunteers and contractors shall not:

shame, humiliate, oppress, belittle or degrade children or young people
unlawfully discriminate against any child or young person, including because of age, gender, race, culture, vulnerability, sexuality, ethnicity or disability
seek to use children in any way to meet the needs of adults
ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosure of child abuse or harm
engage in any activity with a child or young person that is likely to physically or emotionally harm them
initiate unnecessary physical contact with a child or young person, or do things of a personal nature for them that they can do for themselves; e.g. toileting or changing clothes
be alone with a child or young person unnecessarily and for more than a very short time
develop a “special” relationship with a specific child or young person for their own needs
show favouritism through the provision of gifts or inappropriate attention
arrange contact, including online contact, with children or young people outside of the organisation’s programs and activities
have unauthorised contact with children and young people in person, online or by phone
photograph or video a child or young person without the consent of the child and their parents or guardians
work with children or young people while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs
engage in open discussions of a mature or adult nature in the presence of children
use inappropriate language or behaviour, including discriminatory or oppressive language or behaviour, in the presence of children
do anything in contravention of the organisation’s policies, procedures or this Code of Conduct.

All employees have a responsibility to contribute to providing a safe and healthy work environment, this includes compliance with this policy and undertaking all necessary training and requirements as outlined in this policy.

If an employee witnesses inappropriate behaviour or conduct, the employee is to immediately report what they have witnessed to their supervisor. The employee may also be required to complete an incident report and email the report to the designated CBFErepresentative. Depending on the circumstances and direction of the employee’s supervisor, the employee may be required to liaise with appropriate departments and organisations to report the behaviour (i.e. liaise with the Police, Child Protection Investigation Unit, Domestic Violence Centre).

Consequences of breaching the Child Safety Code of Conduct

A breach of the Child Safety Code of Conduct by CBFE a staff member, contractor or volunteer may result in disciplinary action being taken against them in accordance with CBFE’s disciplinary policy, including and up to termination of employment or cessation of engagement with the organisation.

In addition to any action that may be taken according to CBFE disciplinary policy, matters that indicate potential criminal conduct may be reported to police for investigation.