Child Safe Standards
STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY
Sharaf Family Day Care (FDC) Service is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We understand our responsibility and statutory duty of care to comply with both the Victorian Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme to build our capacity as an organisation to prevent and respond to allegations of child abuse. Sharaf family Day Care is committed to implementing our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and Child Safe Environment Policy based on Child Safe Standards in Victoria (2022), which accentuates our zero tolerance for child abuse and raises awareness about the importance of child safety in our Service and the community.
At Sharaf Family Day Care, we adhere to our comprehensive Child Protection Policy, standing by our mandatory reporting responsibilities to protect children from physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse and neglect. Our reporting mechanisms are clear, accessible, and designed to protect the privacy and well-being of all parties involved. At Sharaf Family Day Care, we are committed to ongoing professional development for employees to maintain their ability to distinguish and respond to situations of abuse and neglect, ensuring employees are responsive to their responsibilities in keeping children safe. We ensure all staff, volunteers and students engaged at our Service are suitable to come into contact with children and young people through rigorous employment procedures and Working with Children Checks.
We work in collaboration with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and have confidence in educating children about their right to be safe. We believe in listening to and empowering children to express their view and thoughts on matters that directly affect them and raise any concerns regarding their safety or safety of others.
We are committed to maintaining a physically safe environment for children by conducting regular risk assessments, inspections and conducting evaluations and audits to identify and address potential hazards. We believe children have the right to develop a strong sense of identity by providing an inclusive, safe and supportive atmosphere where children build confidence, self-worth, and social skills through interactions and play.
Sharaf FDC values diversity and cultivate empathy, respect, and care in all children, including Aboriginal children and those from diverse backgrounds whether cultural, linguistic, disabled, or encompassing gender identities. We encourage children to recognise stereotypes and diversities, gain a deeper grasp of cultural identity and learn about their rights and responsibilities as engaged citizens through connections with local communities.
At Sharaf FDC, our commitment to child safety is embedded in every aspect of our Service and is reflected in our philosophy, policies, practices, and interactions. We value feedback, children’s voice and communication with families and the community to assist with input towards the reviews of our policies and procedures, ensuring continuous improvement in child safe practices. The Service policies and procedures are developed with the children’s voice to help keep all children safe from harm and abuse.
This Statement of Commitment to Child Safety is prominently displayed at our facilities and on our website, demonstrating our dedication to child safety and ensuring that it is accessible to all members of the community.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Our Code of Conduct aims to provide a framework for all employees of Sharaf Family Day Care to ensure an understanding of the standards of conduct and appropriate behaviour expected at all times. Our Service is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes the safety of all children and embeds the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. All educators, students and volunteers are responsible for promoting a culture of safety and wellbeing to minimise the risk of child abuse or harm to children whilst promoting children’s sense of security and belonging.
The approved provider, nominated supervisor, educators, educator Assistant, staff members, volunteers, and students will maintain the following ethical conduct ideologies at all times, and demonstrate positive interactions within the Service and the local community by:
- committing to our Service philosophy and values, inclusive of best practice in early childhood education and building positive relationships with children, families, staff and the community
- developing a Statement of Commitment to Child Safety to demonstrate a strong culture of child safety within the Service.
- adhering to our Child Safe Policies including Child Safe Environment Policy, Child Protection Policy, Code of Conduct Policy, Reportable Conduct Policy and Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy at all times and take all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse and harm.
- upholding the rights of children and always promoting their needs
- promoting a commitment to a workplace that values and promotes the safety, health, and wellbeing of employees, volunteers, children and families
- promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights
- promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of children with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds to support children to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights
- promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of children with a disability.
- treating colleagues, children, and families with respect. Bullying or insulting behaviour, including verbal and non-verbal aggression, abusive, threatening, or derogatory language or intimidation towards other employees, children, visitors, or families is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
- promoting honesty and integrity in all interactions with children, families, employees, and managers
- making a commitment to an Equal Opportunity workplace and culture that values the knowledge, experience, and professionalism of all employees, team members, and managers, and the diverse heritage of our families and children
- conducting a comprehensive probation and induction orientation program for all new employees, volunteers and students to include awareness of their roles and responsibilities in relation to Child Safe practices
- listening and responding to the views and concerns of children particularly if they are telling you that they or another child has been abused, or they are worried about their safety or the safety of another
- ensuring the workplace environment is free from bullying, discrimination, harassment, including sexual harassment
- proactively contribute to ensuring a safe workplace by assisting to managing psychosocial hazards, including identification, reducing and managing psychological and psychosocial hazards and risks within the work environment through risk assessments in line with WH&S legislation.
THE APPROVED PROVIDER, NOMINATED SUPERVISOR, EDUCATORS, EDUCATOR ASSISTANT, STAFF MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS WILL:
- ensure their Working with Children Check (WWCC) is valid and current
- ensure their work is carried out proficiently, harmoniously, and effectively
- act in a professional and respectful manner at all times whilst at work, giving their full attention to their responsibilities and adhering to all Service policies, procedures, Child Safe Standards, Education and Care Services National Law and National Regulations, and the National Quality Standard
- act honestly and exercise attentiveness in all Service operations
- carry out all lawful directions, retaining the right to question any direction which they consider to be unethical. If uncertain they can seek advice from the nominated supervisor, approved provider or the Ombudsman
- uphold the rights of children and always prioritise their needs
- treat all children and young people with respect
- promote the safety of children and take all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse
- provide adequate supervision of children at all times
- understand their legislative responsibility as mandatory reporters to report any allegation of child abuse, neglect or possible risk of harm to management or Child Protection authority
- understand their legislative responsibility to report any inappropriate action of any other employee that involves children or young people to management as part of the Reportable Conduct Scheme
- participate in all compulsory training, including update of Child Protection training every 12 months or whenever there are changes to Child Protection law.
- report any instances of suspected corrupt conduct, mismanagement of government funds or other serious allegation to the appropriate agency (Reporting fraud via a tip-off)
- follow and comply with the Dealing with Complaints Policy when matters are raised regarding Child Safety and Wellbeing
- have a solid understanding of the Service’s policies and procedures, Child Safe Standards and the ECA Code of Ethics. If uncertain about the content of any policy or procedure with which they must comply, employees should seek clarification from the nominated supervisor or approved provider.
- be courteous and responsive when dealing with colleagues, students, visitors, children and families
- work collaboratively with colleagues and recognise and value diversity
- be mindful of their duty of care towards themselves and others
- be positive role models for children at all times
- ensure compliance with a zero tolerance of racism within the Service
- respect the confidential nature of information gained about each child enrolled in our Service
- engage in critical reflection to inform individual and collective decision making and ensure continual improvement, including review of Child Safe policies and procedures.
- promote a collaborative and interconnected workplace by developing a positive working environment where all employees can contribute to the ongoing continuous improvement of the Service
- promote leadership by working with employees and providing opportunities for professional development and growth
- provide flexible opportunities to ensure all employees can participate in staff meetings and professional development
- promote open and effective communication with all staff regarding Right to Disconnect provisions under Fair Work Act- including out of hours emergency contact and expectations of staff
- provide ongoing support and feedback to employees
- keep employees informed about essential information and any relevant changes and make all documents readily accessible to them
- keep employees informed about essential information and any relevant changes and make all documents readily accessible to them
- ensure copies of the ECA Code of Ethics and Child Safe Standards are available to staff and families
- model professional behaviour at all times whilst at the Service.
THE APPROVED PROVIDER, NOMINATED SUPERVISOR, EDUCATORS, EDUCATOR ASSISTANT, STAFF MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS WILL NOT:
- use abusive, derogatory or offensive language
- engage in conduct that is detrimental to the professional standing of our Service, is improper or unethical, is an abuse of power, or harasses, discriminates against, victimises, humiliates, intimidates, or threatens other educators, staff members, volunteers, or visitors at the Service, either directly or indirectly via information technology such as email, text or social media. Additionally, they will not support those who do this.
- condone or participate in illegal, unsafe or abusive behaviour towards children, including corporal punishment, physical, sexual or psychological abuse, ill-treatment, neglect or grooming
- exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues
- fail to report information to the approved provider if they know a child has been abused
- engage in unwarranted and inappropriate touching involving a child
- persistently criticise and/or denigrate a child
- verbally assault a child or create a climate of fear
- encourage a child to communicate with an adult in a private setting
- share details of sexual experiences with a child
- use sexual language or gestures in the presence of children
- discriminate against any child, because of culture, race, ethnicity or disability
- put children at risk of abuse- refusing food/play, making threats, exposing children to inappropriate language or material (movies, internet, photos)
- drink alcohol or use illicit substances on the Service’s premises, or come to the Service under their influence
- smoke or vape on the Service’s premises including in the car park
- show preferential behaviour towards any child
- accept an offer of money, regardless of the amount
- seek or accept a bribe
- acquire personal profit or advantage because of their position (e.g., through the use of Service information)
- exchange any property of the Service for own use unless properly authorised
- approach other employees, managers or visitors directly on individual matters that are irrelevant to them
- engage in any action in breach of our Privacy and Confidentiality Policy, including but not limited to disclosure of confidential Service or customer information, or the improper or illegal use of that confidential information. Authorised persons will only access confidential information for the purpose intended.
- engage in or support any action in breach of Service policies and/or procedures