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PURPOSE
impact is uncompromisingly committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children and young people who attend its events and activities. The safety of all children and young people is recognised as the responsibility of all who attend impact’s events and functions. This needs to be accepted and understood by everyone attending. This policy applies without exception to all impact Members [including Board Members], Volunteers, Visitors and Guests. As a ‘child safe’ organisation, impact commits to undertake deliberate steps to protect children and young people from physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse and neglect whilst at its events and functions. Although impact does not provide direct services and facilities to children and young people and is therefore not legally required to document such a policy, impact has chosen to follow Best Practice and provide a policy using the seven [7] mandatory Child Safe Standards as our guide. PROCEDURES Step 1 – Appropriate ‘Worker’ Checks All Board Members must have a current:
Step 2 – Ensuring a safe environment Children under 5 years, unless otherwise stipulated, are not encouraged to attend our events or functions. All children and young people below the age of 15 are required to attend impact’s events and activities under the direct supervision of a responsible adult. impact is clear that any form of abuse including physical, sexual, psychological or any other is unacceptable and intolerable under any circumstance. In order to ensure the physical environment where impact conducts its events and activities are as safe as possible, a Risk Analysis shall be undertaken, so that actual or potential risks will be identified and mitigated where possible. This shall be documented in the Risk Management Register. Examples may include trip hazards or the use of sharp objects such as scissors. A child’s emotional and psychological health is just as important. Creating and maintaining an environment that provides the younger members of our community with positive and nurturing experiences will be provided. Supporting others through the work of impact will promote self-respect and compassion and promote healthy development and wellbeing. Step 3 – Recognition of Risks impact's commitment to children and young people includes being alert to actual and potential incidents of child abuse, neglect, violence and other harmful behaviours. If an actual or potential risk is identified, it is the responsibility of individual(s) who notice those risks to immediately bring them to the attention of a Board Member. All concerns expressed will be listened to and taken seriously. Step 4 – Actions Once an actual or potential risk has been identified, action will be taken to ensure that the child or young person is removed from the [potentially] harmful situation immediately. Disciplinary measures may be imposed on any person for any breach or failure to act in accordance with this Policy. These may include but are not limited to:
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