Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

Mansfield A&P Society:
  • has zero tolerance for child abuse
  • actively works to listen to and empower children
  • has systems to protect children from abuse, and will take all allegations and concerns very seriously and respond to them consistently in line with the Society's policies and procedures
  • is committed to promoting cultural safety for Aboriginal children, cultural safety for children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.

Mansfield A&P Society Code of Conduct for Members, Volunteers, Contractors and Associates working with children and young people

Members, volunteers, contractors and associates at Mansfield A&P Society are required to abide by this Code. Under the President and Executive, the Committee will: 
  1. Be responsible for the overall welfare and wellbeing of members, volunteers, contractors and associates;
  2. Be accountable for managing and maintaining a duty of care towards members, volunteers, contractors and associates; and 
  3. Nominate a Child Protection Officer to provide information and support to all members, volunteers, contractors, associates, children, young people and their carers regarding child protection matters.
All people involved in the care of children on behalf of Mansfield A&P Society will: 
  1. Work towards the achievement of the aims and purposes of the organisation;
  2. Be responsible for relevant administration of programs and activities in their area;
  3. Maintain a duty of care towards others involved in these programs and activities; 
  4. Establish and maintain a child-safe environment in the course of their work;
  5. Be fair, considerate and honest with others;
  6. Treat children and young people with respect and value their ideas and opinions;
  7. Act as positive role models in their conduct with children and young people;
  8. Be professional in their actions;
  9. Maintain strict impartiality;
  10. Comply with specific organisational guidelines on physical contact with children;
  11. Respect the privacy of children, their families and teachers/carers, and only disclose information to people who have a need to know;
  12. Maintain a child-safe environment for children and young people;
  13. Operate within the Constitution, Rules of Association, policies and guidelines of Mansfield A&P Society; and
  14. Contact the police if a child is at immediate risk of abuse (telephone 000).
 
No person shall: 
  1. Shame, humiliate, oppress, belittle or degrade children or young people;
  2. Unlawfully discriminate against any child;
  3. Engage in any activity with a child or young person that is likely to physically or emotionally harm them;
  4. 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;
  5. Be alone with a child or young person unnecessarily and for more than a very short time;
  6. Develop a ‘special’ relationship with a specific child or young person for their own needs;
  7. Show favouritism through the provision of gifts or inappropriate attention;
  8. Arrange contact, including online contact, with children or young people outside of the organisation’s programs and activities;
  9. Photograph or video a child or young person without the consent of the child and his/her parents or guardians;
  10. Work with children or young people while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs;
  11. Engage in open discussions of a mature or adult nature in the presence of children;
  12. Use inappropriate language in the presence of children; or
  13. Do anything in contravention of the organisation’s policies, procedures or this Code of Conduct.
 

What happens if someone breaches this Code of Conduct
If anyone breaches this Code of Conduct they will face disciplinary action in accordance with Mansfield A&P Society’s Constitution and Rules of Association, including and up to cessation of engagement with the Society.

Child Protection Policy

INTRODUCTION
Mansfield A&P Society is committed to promoting and protecting the interests and safety of children. We have zero tolerance for child abuse. Everyone participating at Mansfield A&P Society is responsible for the care and protection of children and reporting information about child abuse.
  
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to:
  1. facilitate the prevention of child abuse occurring within Mansfield A&P Society.
  2. work towards an organisational culture of child safety.
  3. prevent child abuse within Mansfield A&P Society.
  4. ensure that all parties are aware of their responsibilities for identifying possible occasions for child abuse and for establishing controls and procedures for preventing such abuse and/or detecting such abuse when it occurs.
  5. provide guidance to members/volunteers/contractors/associates as to action that should be taken where they suspect any abuse within or outside of the organisation.
  6. provide a clear statement to members/volunteers/contractors/associates forbidding any such abuse.
  7. provide assurance that any and all suspected abuse will be reported and fully investigated.
 
POLICY
Mansfield A&P Society is committed to promoting and protecting at all times the best interests of children involved in its programs.
All children, regardless of their gender, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, sexual orientation, or family or social background, have equal rights to protection from abuse. Mansfield A&P Society has zero tolerance for child abuse. Everyone participating at Mansfield A&P Society is responsible for the care and protection of the children within our care and reporting information about suspected child abuse.
Child protection is a shared responsibility between Mansfield A&P Society members, volunteers, contractors, and associates of the Mansfield A&P Society community. Mansfield A&P Society will consider the opinions of children and use their opinions to develop child protection policies. Mansfield A&P Society supports and respects all children, members, volunteers, contractors and associates. Mansfield A&P Society is committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, and those from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children living with a disability. If any person believes a child is in immediate risk of abuse, telephone 000.
 
PROCEDURES
Responsibilities
The Committee of Mansfield A&P Society has ultimate responsibility for the detection and prevention of child abuse and is responsible for ensuring that appropriate and effective internal control systems are in place. The Committee is also responsible for ensuring that appropriate policies and procedures and a Child Protection Code of Conduct are in place.
 
The President and Executive of Mansfield A&P Society is responsible for:
  • Dealing with and investigating reports of child abuse;
  • Ensuring that all members, volunteers, contractors and associates are aware of relevant laws, organisational policies and procedures, and the organisation’s Code of Conduct;
  • Ensuring that all adults within the Mansfield A&P Society community are aware of their obligation to report suspected sexual abuse of a child in accordance with these policies and procedures;
  • Ensuring that all members, volunteers, contractors and associates are aware of their obligation to observe the Code of Conduct (particularly as it relates to child safety);
  • Providing support for members, volunteers, contractors and associates in undertaking their child protection responsibilities.
 
All Committee members must ensure that they:
  • Promote child safety at all times;
  • Assess the risk of child abuse within their area of control and eradicate / minimise any risk to the extent possible;
  • Educate members, volunteers, contractors and associates about the prevention and detection of child abuse; and
  • Facilitate the reporting of any inappropriate behaviour or suspected abusive activities.
 The Committee should be familiar with the types of abuse that might occur within their area of responsibility and be alert for any indications of such conduct.

All members/volunteers/contractors/associates share in the responsibility for the prevention and detection of child abuse, and must:
  • Familiarise themselves with the relevant laws, the Code of Conduct, and Mansfield A&P Society’s policy and procedures in relation to child protection, and comply with all requirements;
  • Report any reasonable belief that a child’s safety is at risk to the relevant authorities (such as the police and / or the state-based child protection service) and fulfil their obligations as mandatory reporters;
  • Report any suspicion that a child’s safety may be at risk to a Committee member (or, if their Committee member is involved in the suspicion, to a responsible person in the organisation); and
  • Provide an environment that is supportive of all children’s emotional and physical safety.
 
DEFINITIONS
Child means a person below the age of 18 years unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.

Child protection means any responsibility, measure or activity undertaken to safeguard children from harm.

Child abuse means all forms of physical abuse, emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse and exploitation, neglect or negligent treatment, commercial (e.g. for financial gain) or other exploitation of a child and includes any actions that results in actual or potential harm to a child.

Child sexual assault is any act which exposes a child to, or involves a child in, sexual processes beyond his or her understanding or contrary to accepted community standards. Sexually abusive behaviours can include the fondling of genitals, masturbation, oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration by a penis, finger or any other object, fondling of breasts, voyeurism, exhibitionism, and exposing the child to or involving the child in pornography. It includes child grooming, which refers to actions deliberately undertaken with the aim of befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child to lower the child’s inhibitions in preparation for sexual activity with the child.

Reasonable grounds for belief is a belief based on reasonable grounds that child abuse has occurred when all known considerations or facts relevant to the formation of a belief are taken into account and these are objectively assessed. Circumstances or considerations may include the source of the allegation and how it was communicated, the nature of and details of the allegation, and whether there are any other related matters known regarding the alleged perpetrator. A reasonable belief is formed if a reasonable person believes that:
  1. The child is in need of protection,
  2. The child has suffered or is likely to suffer “significant harm as a result of physical injury”,
  3. The parents are unable or unwilling to protect the child.
A ‘reasonable belief’ or a ‘belief on reasonable grounds’ is not the same as having proof, but is more than mere rumour or speculation.
A ‘reasonable belief’ is formed if a reasonable person in the same position would have formed the belief on the same grounds. For example, a ‘reasonable belief’ might be formed if:
  1. A child states that they have been physically or sexually abused;
  2. A child states that they know someone who has been physically or sexually abused (sometimes the child may be talking about themselves);
  3. Someone who knows a child states that the child has been physically or sexually abused;
  4. Professional observations of the child’s behaviour or development leads a professional to form a belief that the child has been physically or sexually abused or is likely to be abused; and/or
  5. Signs of abuse lead to a belief that the child has been physically or sexually abused.
 
Induction of New Personnel
Mansfield A&P Society undertakes a comprehensive recruitment and screening process for all members, volunteers, contractors and associates which aims to:
  • Promote and protect the safety of all children under the care of the organisation;
  • Identify the safest and most suitable people who share Mansfield A&P Society’s values and commitment to protect children; and
  • Prevent a person from participating at Mansfield A&P Society if they pose a risk to children.
Mansfield A&P Society requires all members/volunteers/contractors/associates to pass through the organisation’s recruitment and screening processes prior to commencing their engagement with Mansfield A&P Society.  Mansfield A&P Society may require applicants to provide a police check or Working with Children Check in accordance with the law and as appropriate, before they commence working at Mansfield A&P Society and during their time with Mansfield A&P Society at regular intervals. Mansfield A&P Society will undertake thorough reference checks as per the approved internal procedure. Once engaged, members/volunteers/contractors/associates must review and acknowledge their understanding of this Policy.

RISK MANAGEMENT
Mansfield A&P Society will ensure that child safety is a part of its overall risk management approach. The President and Executive of Mansfield A&P Society will be the risk and compliance sub-committee committed to identifying and managing risks at Mansfield A&P Society. Risk and compliance sub-committee members will receive regular training in relation to child safety.
 
REPORTING
Any member/volunteer/contractor/associate who has grounds to suspect abusive activity must immediately notify the appropriate child protection service or the police. They should also advise a Committee member about their concern. In situations where the Committee member is suspected of involvement in the activity, or if the person having the suspicion does not believe that the matter is being appropriately addressed or dealt with, the matter should be reported to the President. Committee members must report complaints of suspected abusive behaviour or misconduct to the President and also to any external regulatory body such as the police. According to the Crimes Act 1958 (Victoria), a mandated reporter (18 years or older) must make a report if they form a reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed in Victoria against a child (a person under 16 years old) by another person of or over the age of 18 years. Exceptions may apply. According to the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Victoria), a voluntary reporter (any person) may make a report if the person has a significant concern for the wellbeing of a child under 17 years old. If you believe a child is at immediate risk of abuse phone Police 000 or Department of Human Services 1800 806 292 - Rural free call  For concerns about the immediate safety of a child after hours or on weekends or public holidays, call the After Hours Child Protection Emergency Service on 131 278 - toll free for all Victoria
 
INVESTIGATING
If the appropriate child protection service or the police decide to conduct an investigation of this report, all
members/volunteers/contractors/associates must co-operate fully with the investigation. Whether or not the authorities decide to conduct an investigation, the President will consult with the authorities to determine whether an internal investigation is appropriate. If it is decided that such an investigation will not conflict with any proceeding of the authorities, the President may decide to conduct such an investigation. All members/volunteers/contractors/associates must co-operate fully with the investigation. Any such investigation will be conducted according to the rules of natural justice. The President will make every effort to keep any such investigation confidential; however, from time to time other members/volunteers/contractors/associates may need to be consulted in conjunction with the investigation. After an initial review and a determination that the suspected abuse warrants additional investigation, the President shall coordinate the investigation with the appropriate investigators and/or law enforcement officials. Internal or external legal representatives will be involved in the process, as deemed appropriate.

RESPONDING
If it is alleged that a member, volunteer, contractor or associate may have committed an offence or have breached the organisation’s policies or its Code of Conduct the person concerned may be stood down while an investigation is conducted. If the investigation concludes that on the balance of probabilities an offence (or a breach of the organisation’s policies or Code of Conduct) has occurred then disciplinary action may follow, up to and including cessation of involvement with the organisation. The findings of the investigation will also be reported to any external body as required.

PRIVACY
All personal information considered or recorded will respect the privacy of the individuals involved unless there is a risk to someone’s safety. Mansfield A&P Society will have safeguards and practices in place to ensure any personal information is protected. Everyone is entitled to know how the personal information is recorded, what will be done with it, and who will be able to access it.

REVIEWING
Every year at the meeting after the AGM, and following every reportable incident, a review shall be conducted to assess whether the organisation’s child protection policies or procedures require modification to better protect the children under the organisation’s care.
 
This policy must be read in conjunction with:
  • The laws of the State of Victoria;
  • Mansfield A&P Society’s Code of Conduct;
  • Misconduct Procedures in accordance with Mansfield A&P Society’s Rules of Association and Constitution