CHILD SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY 

RPS CHILD SAFETY CODE OF CONDUCT

Our Child Safety Code of Conduct sets out the expected behaviour of adults with children and young people in our school.  All Ripponlea 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 Ripponlea Primary School staff, volunteers, contractors, and any other member of our school community involved in child-connected work, we are responsible for supporting and promoting the safety of children by: 

● upholding our Ripponlea Primary School commitment to child safety at all times and adhering to our Child Safety Policy 

● treating students and families in our school community with respect in our school environment and outside our 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 or student 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 our child safety champion(s), the principal, and assistant principal.   

● understanding and complying with all reporting and 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 Ripponlea Primary School staff, volunteers, contractors, and members of our school community involved in child-connected 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 extracurricular 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 the Alcohol at School Events 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

● use the same toileting facilities when onsite.   

Four Critical Actions

Follow the Four Critical Actions when responding to an incident, disclosure or suspicion of child abuse:

Action 1: Respond to an emergency

Actions you must take if a child has just been abused, or is at immediate risk of harm. Read more: Action 1: Respond to an emergency.

Action 2: Report to authorities

You must report all incidents, suspicions and disclosures of child abuse. Failure to report physical and sexual child abuse may amount to a criminal offence. Read more: Action 2: Report to authorities.

Action 3: Contact parents or carers

When to notify parents and carers if it is suspected their child is a victim of abuse, and which relevant authorities need to be notified. Read more: Action 3: Contact parents or carers.

Action 4: Provide ongoing support

Actions that schools must take, where deemed appropriate, to support students who are impacted by child abuse. Read more: Action 4: Provide ongoing support.