Child Safety

Purpose

Our Child Safety Code of Conduct sets out the expected behaviour of adults with children and young people as part of our activities.

All Mornington Peninsula Avicultural Society members and volunteers, involved in child-connected activities must follow the Child Safety Code of Conduct.

This Child Safety Code of Conduct applies to all physical and online environments in which children interact with Mornington Peninsula Avicultural Society.

In physical environments such as a sale, expo, aviary visit, social event, children should always be accompanied by a parent or responsible guardian.

Acceptable behaviours

As Mornington Peninsula Avicultural Society (MPAS), members and volunteers involved in child-connected activity, we are responsible for supporting and promoting the safety of children by:

·        upholding our MPAS commitment to child safety at all times.

·        treating children and families with respect at MPAS organised events and activities

·        listening and responding to concerns raised by any participants at MPAS organised events or activities

·        promoting the safety of all participants at our events or activities 

·        ensuring, as far as practicable, that adults are not alone with a Child – one-to-one interactions between an adult and a child 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 Victoria Police.

·        understanding and complying with all reporting and disclosure obligations (including mandatory reporting) in line with child safety standards.

·        if child abuse is suspected, ensuring as quickly as possible that the child/children are safe and protected from harm.

Unacceptable behaviours

As MPAS, all members and volunteers involved in child-connected activities must not:

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

·        develop a relationship with any child that could amount to ‘grooming’ behaviour

·        display behaviours or engage with children in ways that are not justified by the appropriate event context

·        ignore an adult’s overly familiar or inappropriate behaviour towards children

·        discuss intimate topics or use sexualised language

 

Breaches to the Child Safety Code of Conduct

All MPAS members and volunteers involved in child-connected activities who breach this Child Safety Code of Conduct may be subject to expulsion and reporting to appropriate authorities.

 

For further information:

https://www.vic.gov.au/about-child-safe-standards

https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/