Help for non-English speakers– press the translate button to the right to translate into another language
Purpose
Our Child Safety Code of Conduct sets out the expected behaviour of adults with children and young
people in our school. All North Melbourne Primary School staff, volunteers, contractors, service providers, school council members and any other adult involved in child-connected work must follow the Child Safety Code of Conduct.
The Child Safety Code of Conduct applies to all physical and online environments used by students.
It also applies during or outside of school hours and in other locations provided by the school for
student use (for example, a school camp).
Acceptable behaviours:
As North Melbourne Primary School staff, volunteers, contractors, and any other member of the
school community involved in child-related work we are responsible for supporting and promoting
the safety of children by:
• upholding our North Melbourne Primary School commitment to child safety at all times and
adhering to our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• treating students and families in the school community with respect both within the school
environment and outside the school environment as part of normal social and community
activities
• listening and responding to the views and concerns of students, particularly if they disclose
that they or another child has been abused or are worried about their safety or the safety of
another child or student
• promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal students,
students with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, students with a disability,
international students, students who are unable to live at home and lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and intersex (LQBTIQ+) students
• ensuring, as far as practicable, that adults are not alone with a student – one-to-one
interactions between an adult and a student 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 the school’s
Leadership Team or Wellbeing Team
• understanding and complying with all reporting or disclosure obligations (including
mandatory reporting) in line with our Child Safety Responding and Reporting Policy and
procedures and the PROTECT Four Critical Actions.
• if child abuse is suspected, ensuring as quickly as possible that the student(s) are
safe and protected from harm.
Unacceptable behaviours
As North Melbourne Primary School staff, volunteers, contractors, and any other member of the
school community involved in child-related work we must not:
• ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse or harm
• develop a relationship with any student that could be seen as favouritism or amount to
‘grooming’ behaviour (for example, by offering gifts)
• display behaviours or engage with students in ways that are not justified by the educational
or professional context
• ignore an adult’s overly familiar or inappropriate behaviour towards a student
• discuss intimate topics or use sexualised language, except when needed to deliver the school
curriculum or professional guidance
• treat a child or student unfavourably because of their disability, age, gender, race, culture,
vulnerability, sexuality or ethnicity.
• communicate directly with a student through personal or private contact channels (including
by social media, email, instant messaging, texting etc) except where that communication is
reasonable in all the circumstances, related to schoolwork or extra-curricular activities or
where there is a safety concern or other urgent matter
• photograph or video a child or student in a school environment except in accordance with the
Photographing, Filming and Recording Students policy or where required for duty of care
purposes
• consume alcohol against school policy or take illicit drugs in the school environment or at
school events where students are present
• have contact with any student outside of school hours except when needed to deliver the
school curriculum or professional guidance and parental permission has been sought.
Breaches to the Child Safety Code of Conduct
All North Melbourne Primary School staff, volunteers, contractors and any other member of the
school community involved in child-connected work who breach this Child Safety Code of Conduct
may be subject to disciplinary procedures in accordance with their employment agreement or
relevant industrial instrument, professional code or terms of engagement.
In instances where a reportable allegation has been made, the matter will be managed in accordance
with the Department of Education and Training Reportable Conduct Scheme Policy and may be
subject to referral to Victoria Police.
All breaches and suspected breaches of the North Melbourne Primary School Child Safety Code of
Conduct must be reported to the principal.
If the breach or suspected breach relates to the principal, contact the General Regional Office.
Approval and review
Created date July 2022
Consultation Consultation occurred with the school council on 21st July, 2022
Endorsed by School Council
Endorsed on 21st July 2022
Next review date July 2024