At St Mary’s we take our responsibility to protect children seriously. All staff are expected to promote child safety by having a clear understanding of their legal child protection responsibilities and act in accordance with those responsibilities.
In particular, the school will:
- Maintain professionalism in our interactions with children at all times by exercising appropriate duty of care and maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Follow an established process to address allegations of inappropriate behaviour by staff towards children.
- Ensure all people working in our school including parent volunteers, are appropriately screened for working with children.
- Respond appropriately when we suspect a child is at risk of significant harm due to possible abuse or neglect by a parent/carer or other adult.
Maintaining Professionalism
All staff are expected to act professionally and in accordance with the school’s expectations regarding staff conduct toward children. Members of staff receive guidance and professional development in relation to appropriate interactions with students, how to exercise a duty of care and how to maintain professional boundaries.
We understand that staff have a duty of care to:
- Ensure no child is exposed to foreseeable risk of harm;
- Take action to minimise risk;
- Supervise actively; and
- If we see others acting inappropriately with children, report concerns to the Principal or seek further advice.
School staff also understand that they are in a position of trust, authority and influence in relation to children and that it is important that we do not take advantage of that position to mistreat or misguide students either intentionally or inadvertently. Staff strive to:
- Demonstrate appropriate relationships with children that cannot be misinterpreted as overly personal or intimate;
- Remain within the responsibilities of their roles and allow those appropriately trained to deal with student welfare concerns;
- Minimise physical contact with children unless it is necessary to exercise appropriate duty of care;
- Follow the school’s policies and procedures relating to pastoral care and wellbeing including serious incidents and reporting risk of harm.
Addressing complaints of inappropriate behaviour by staff
We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for both students and staff. This includes addressing complaints of inappropriate behaviour by staff towards any child or young person.
Such complaints are handled differently from other types of complaints that may arise in the school because of legal obligations established by the NSW Children’s Guardian Act 2019. The Office of the Children’s Guardian is a government agency that requires schools and other organisations working with children to ensure systems are in place for recording and responding to all allegations of a child protection nature against staff. You should be aware that ‘staff’ includes volunteer helpers as well as paid staff.
If you have concerns about alleged inappropriate behaviour by a staff member towards any child or young person it is important that you discuss your concerns with the Principal who in turn will consult with the Wilcannia Forbes Catholic Education Office.
All complaints are investigated and resolved through a fair and confidential process that involves listening to ‘both sides of the story’ and giving all involved an opportunity to be heard. If the concerns involve alleged criminal behaviour they will be reported to the Police and the Wilcannia Forbes Catholic Education Office will wait for the outcome of the Police investigation before continuing its own investigation.
At the end of an investigation, a finding will be made and appropriate follow up determined. In relation to the staff member, this may include no action, increased support, professional development, increased supervision/monitoring or disciplinary action, removal from duties or termination of employment.
If harm has occurred to a child, counselling or other support will be offered to the child.
Parent Volunteers
Parent participation, involvement and help are welcome and appreciated for various activities both in school and on excursions. It is important that all parent helpers/volunteers are aware that they are subject to child protection legislation. This means all volunteers must:
- not engage in any inappropriate behaviour towards any children. In particular although volunteers are technically not employed by the school, they are considered to be ‘staff’ for legal purposes and need to be aware that complaints about inappropriate behaviour towards any child or young person must be investigated.
- sign on at the front office, be inducted and get a visitors badge from the office as per school procedure.
- check with the school what the current legal requirements are for working with children.
Responding to risk of harm
All school staff are mandatory reporters. This means that if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is at risk of ‘significant harm’ from abuse or neglect, then a report must be made to the Department of Communities and Justice Child Protection Helpline (CP Helpline).
School staff are expected to inform the Principal if they are concerned that a child may be at risk. It is the role of the Principal (or delegate) to make the report to the CP Helpline.
In making a report the Principal will consider all of the information and seek appropriate advice from the Wilcannia Forbes Catholic Education Office. Any information about a child at risk is kept confidentially by the Principal.
In situations where a child is considered to be at risk, the school will work with the child and family to assist them as much as possible.
If you have concerns about a child who you consider may be at risk, please discuss your concerns with the Principal as soon as possible and maintain confidentiality.
If you would like further information regarding any of the above please speak to your Principal first or feel free to contact the Wilcannia Forbes Catholic Education Office:
Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes
15 Johnson St
PO Box 10
Forbes NSW 2871
Australia
Phone (02) 6853 9300