Workers must not:

●      engage in rough physical games

●      develop any ‘special’ relationships with children and young people that could be seen as favouritism such as the offering of gifts or special treatment

●      do things of a personal nature that a child or young person can do for themselves, such as toileting or changing clothes

●      discriminate against any child or young person because of age, gender, cultural background, religion, vulnerability or sexuality.

 

Breaches or suspected breaches of the Code of Conduct should be reported as soon as practicable to management either in person, by telephone, or via email (info@supportyourway.com.au) to the CEO or a member of the Executive Management team.

 

Breaches or suspected breaches of the Code of Conduct will be taken seriously and dealt with quickly, fairly and transparently. Any worker who breaches the Code of Conduct will face disciplinary action and depending on severity of the breach, the worker may have their employment terminated.

 

Reporting

Support Your Way Disability Services Pty Ltd aims to ensure that children and young people are safe from harm and risk of harm. Section 17 of the Safety Act defines ‘harm’ to mean physical or psychological harm (whether caused by an act or omission), including harm caused by sexual, physical, mental or emotional abuse or neglect.

 

Mandated reporters in our organisation are workers who:

• provide services to children and young people

• hold a management position in the organisation the duties of which include direct responsibility for, or direct supervision of, the provision of those services to children and young people.

 

Mandated reporters have a legal obligation to notify the appropriate governmental bodies in the relevant state. 

For SA:

Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) on 13 14 78 as soon as practicable if they have a suspicion that a child or young person has been harmed or may be at risk of harm. If the child or young person is at immediate risk, report to South Australia Police (SAPOL) on 000. 

 

For Victoria:

After Hours Child Protection Emergency Services (AHCPES) 131 278

Victoria has a step-by-step mandatory reporting document that can be accessed here.

 

Even if not a mandated reporter, any person can report harm or risk of harm to a child or young person. The individual who identifies the harm or risk of harm is encouraged to make the report to authorities and can request the support from another worker to do so if required.

 

Information about making appropriate reports of harm or risk of harm is available from the South Australian Department for Child Protection website: https://www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/reporting-child-abuse

 

Information about making reports of harm or abuse to children can be found on the Police Victoria website: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/reporting-sexual-offences-child-abuse#contact-a-socit-member 

 

All adult workers (even if not a mandated reporter) have a legal obligation to report child sexual abuse to the police and to protect a child from sexual abuse. Failure to meet these obligations may be considered a criminal offence.

 

Following a report being made to CARL, AHCPES, SAPOL, or Victoria Police, workers must make an internal report to management.

 

We will be guided by the Department for Child Protection/Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and/or SAPOL/Victoria Police after a report has been made as to whether we can conduct an internal investigation.

 

If a worker is reported to CARL, AHCPES or SAPOL/Victoria Police for causing harm or risk of harm to a child or young person, they will be removed from any role that involves working with any child or young person until authorities have concluded their investigation.

 

Following a report to CARL, AHCPES or SAPOL/Victoria Police we will support the child or young person by:

• referring the child, young person or their family to other appropriate services

• continuing to provide a service to the child, young person and their family and monitor their circumstances.

 

We will document all information received regarding the report and store this securely in a separate file.