Privacy policy
Committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information.
Western Chances (ABN 17 110 713 865) (Western Chances) is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information and we are guided by the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988. This Privacy Policy helps our supporters, donors, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders understand how and why we collect, hold and use personal information, and what to do if you have questions, concerns or complaints. Western Chances will provide hard copies of this Privacy Policy on request. This Privacy Policy does not cover personal information collected or held by Western Chances about its staff and volunteers.
Applicability
This Policy applies to all Western Chances board members, staff and volunteers and is relevant for anyone who through their interaction with Western Chances provides personal information to Western Chances.
Responsibility
The CEO is responsible for ensuring:
staff and volunteers know about this Policy;
implementation of the Policy;
compliance with the Policy;
monitoring and scheduling review of this Policy.
Associated Documentation
PO - 3.3 Western Chances Child Safety and Wellbeing Code of Conduct policy
PO - 3.4 Western Chances Child Safety and Wellbeing policy
Definitions and Abbreviations
personal information - is information or an opinion, in any form and whether true or not, about an identified individual or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. Examples include an individual's name, address, contact number and email address.
sensitive information - is a special category of personal information. Sensitive information includes health information and information about a person’s race, ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of political, professional or trade associations, religious or philosophical beliefs, sexual preferences and criminal history.
cookie – is a small data file that resides on your computer’s hard drive. A cookie file can contain information such as your user ID in order to track the pages you have visited. A cookie cannot access other information from your hard drive, or from cookies created by other websites. Cookies, by themselves, cannot be used to find out the identity of any user. The only personal information a cookie can contain is information you supply yourself.
Policy Details
Western Chances is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information and we are guided by the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
Western Chances will:
Collect only information which the organisation requires for its primary function/s;
Ensure that individuals are informed as to why we collect the information and how we administer the information gathered;
Use and disclose personal information only for our primary functions or a directly related purpose, or for another purpose with the person’s consent. In the case of children under 18, we will seek consent from the parent/guardian in consultation with the child;
Store personal information securely, protecting it from unauthorised access;
Ensure the privacy of children in line with the Victorian Child Safe Standards;
Provide individuals with access to their own information, and the right to seek its correction.
Why does Western Chances collect personal information?
Western Chances collects personal information that helps us fulfil our core work which is to carry out the functions and activities related to delivering programs to support young people in the west of Melbourne. We collect personal information for a range of purposes including to:
Consider and award scholarship applications;
Respond to enquiries about our scholarships and other programs;
Manage our relationships with our current or prospective donors, partners and sponsors including responding to feedback or complaints;
Manage our relationships with our suppliers and volunteers;
Provide information about us and updates on our programs, promotions and social opportunities to donors, potential donors and schools.
What sort of personal information does Western Chances collect?
The kinds of personal information we collect and hold about you will depend on the circumstances of collection, including whether we collect the information from you as a scholarship applicant, nominator, donor, sponsor, supplier, or in some other capacity.
If you are a scholarship applicant, we will collect information such as name, age and contact details. We will also collect information about why you are applying for a scholarship, which may include your financial circumstances and sensitive information about you (such as information about your health, your race or ethnic origin). If you provide us with personal information about another person (for example, if you are a nominator for a scholarship applicant), please make sure that you tell the applicant about this Privacy Policy.
If you deal with us in some other capacity (for example, as a nominator, donor, sponsor or supplier), we will collect information you choose to provide to us. Below are some examples of what information we commonly collect:
Personal details, like name or date of birth;
Contact details;
Payment information for donations;
Interactions you have with us including online through social media and conversations by phone or email with our staff and volunteers;
Your support for our work, like hosting an event or participating in a charity challenge;
Other areas of our work you might be interested in supporting;
Your communication preferences.
We do not generally collect sensitive information, unless:
The individual has consented (e.g. Police background checks and Working With Children checks on potential volunteers and staff who will be working with recipients, or details required to provide effective service to recipients);
The collection is necessary to prevent a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of a person;
The collection is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of a legal claim;
Otherwise required by law.
How does Western Chances collect personal information?
We may collect personal information in a variety of ways, including from you directly (including when you interact with us in writing, by email or social media or by telephone), when you apply for a scholarship, visit our website (including if you subscribe for our updates), when you participate in our events or promotions or from public sources of information. Sometimes, we may collect your personal information from third parties, for example from your nominators, if you are a scholarship applicant.
What if you don't provide your personal information to Western Chances?
If Western Chances is unable to collect personal information from or about you, we may not be able to provide you with our services or do business with you or the organisation with which you are connected. If you wish to donate anonymously, we can accept certain payment mechanisms to facilitate this such as a bank cheque
What does Western Chances use my information for?
We collect information to ensure a complete and accurate record of your history and engagement with Western Chances. For example, we will use this information to keep you updated with issues you are interested in, to provide opportunities for you to support Western Chances work, attend events, or to notify you of volunteering roles with us. We will only record your email address if you send us a message or provide this information to us. It will only be used for the purpose for which it was provided – for example seeking further information about our services, request to receive updates about our work or remain abreast of ways in which you can be involved. It will not be added to a mailing list unless you request this be done. We will not disclose your email address to third parties without your consent.
By using our website and voluntarily providing us with personal information, you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of personal information in the manner described in this Privacy Policy.
When using information of a personal and sensitive nature to demonstrate the impact and outcomes of our work in reports for funders and supporters, we will de-identify young people to protect privacy i.e. use a pseudonym and not name the young person’s secondary school.
When does Western Chances disclose personal information to third parties?
We will not sell to anyone the personal information we collect. We only disclose personal information to third party consultants and contractors where it is necessary for them to perform services for Western Chances.
These include, where appropriate:
Financial institutions for payment processing;
Referees whose details you have provided to us;
Contracted service providers, who must enter into the appropriate confidentiality understanding with us, including:
Information technology service providers;
Marketing and communications agencies;
External business advisors (such as auditors and lawyers);
Partner organisations offering opportunities to scholarship recipients;
Western Chances volunteers who conduct filing of scholarship records, as well as those who assess scholarship applications
If you want another person to be able to access or change your personal information that we hold on your behalf (a spouse, legal or financial representative), you can let us know in writing and we will record this permission.
Quality and security of personal information
To protect your privacy and personal information, when you contact us, we may ask you to confirm your identity by asking you to confirm a few details that we have on record, such as your current address, phone number and date of birth.
We take steps to protect the personal information we hold from misuse, interference and loss, and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure:
Western Chances keeps electronic records of personal information secure in our web-based database. Physical copies of your information such as donation forms are kept securely and destroyed when no longer needed.
Staff and volunteers are required to sign our policies relating to privacy and police checks/Working With Children checks are conducted.
Our database is provided and serviced by a North American company which uses servers located outside Australia. As a result, your personal information may be transferred outside Australia and stored on servers located outside Australia.
E-Payment Security
E-payment security on our website is achieved through encryption and system design. Communication with your bank is real time and the credit card number is deleted once the communication to the bank has been completed. At no time does the web merchant see any credit card details. Our customers’ credit card details are then encrypted when stored in our database.
We will take reasonable steps to keep your information safe (whether electronic or in hard copy) and to keep it up to date. This includes complying with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, which covers security of payment card information. Our staff are made aware of this policy and are trained to keep personal and payment card information confidential and secure.
Access to and correction of your personal information
We take steps to ensure that the personal information we collect, use and disclose is accurate, complete, up to date and relevant. You can help us by letting us know about any changes to your personal information, such as your address and phone number. Please contact us (details provided at the end of this Policy) if you would like to access or correct the personal information we hold about you. We will generally provide you with access to your personal information, however Western Chances is permitted to refuse access in certain circumstances, including where:
We consider your request to be frivolous or vexatious;
To do so is likely to prejudice an investigation of possibly unlawful activity;
To do so will be unlawful;
We are otherwise legally entitled to deny your request (whether under the Australian Privacy Principles, or generally at law).
If we refuse your request to access your personal information, we will provide you with the reasons for our refusal in writing and explain the process of making a complaint if you wish to do so.
You have the right to request we correct personal information about you. If we refuse to modify our record, you may ask us to add a note of your request to the record.
Online Activity, Cookies and Social Media
Western Chances use tools that tell us when a computer or device has visited or accessed our content and allow us to tailor advertising both on our website and through advertising networks on other websites based on your visits or behavior through cookies on your device. You can control how cookies are used and for what use through the settings on your chosen browser. You can also control how your information is used with advertisers through the Network Advertising Initiative, including opting out from interest-based advertising. (optout.networkadvertising.org)
You can also engage with Western Chances through social media; Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. You can always control how you receive content through each website’s settings. Occasionally we may get in touch with scholarship recipients over 18 years of age via social media if they aren’t a follower by using their publicly displayed contact details. If you would prefer that we don’t do this, please notify us.
Resolving concerns
If you have any concerns about the way your personal information is managed by Western Chances or believe that a breach of your privacy has occurred, please contact us (details provided below). Your concern or complaint will be considered or investigated and we will respond to your complaint as soon as practicable. If you are not satisfied with our response to your complaint within 30 days you can refer your complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner via:
email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au
tel: 1300 363 992
fax: +61 2 9284 9666
If you would like more information about Western Chances' approach to privacy, or if you wish to contact us regarding the information set out in this Policy, please contact us:
by phone on 03 8345 7812
by email at westernchances@wh.org.au
by post at Western Chances PO Box 278, Seddon West LPO 3011
via the Contact Form on our website https://www.westernchances.org.au/contact
Changes to this policy
Western Chances may amend this Policy from time to time at our discretion. Amended versions will be posted on our website at http://westernchances.org.au/
References
Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic)
Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic)
Child Wellbeing and Safety Amendment Act 2015 (Vic) - Victorian Child Safe Standards
Child Safe Policy
Background and Purpose
Victorian organisations that provide services or facilities for children are required by law to implement Child Safe Standards to protect children from abuse and harm.
This policy outlines the approach of Western Chances to protecting children from abuse and harm and demonstrates our commitment to creating a culturally safe environment for all children and young people.
While Western Chances staff and volunteers do not deliver programs directly to children we are committed to child safety and will embed child safety and wellbeing within our organisation’s policies and procedures.
Victorian Child Safe Standards effective 1 July 2022
1. Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued
2. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture
3. Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
4. Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing
5. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice
6. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice
7. Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused
8. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training
9. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
10. Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved
11. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people
Applicability
This policy applies to all Western Chances board members, staff and volunteers with no exclusions.
Responsibility
The CEO is responsible for ensuring:
staff and volunteers know about this policy;
implementation of the policy;
compliance with the policy;
monitoring and annual policy review
Associated Documentation
PO – 3.3 Western Chances Child Safety and Wellbeing Code of Conduct policy
PO – 5.1 Western Chances Program Collaboration policy
Definitions and Abbreviations
Child – a person who is under the age of 18 years.
Child abuse - is defined in the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) as including:
a sexual offence committed against a child
an offence committed against a child under section 49M(1) of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), such as grooming
physical violence against a child
causing serious emotional or psychological harm to a child
serious neglect of a child.
child safety- measures to protect children from abuse and harm.
cultural abuse- actions and attitudes that deliberately ignore, denigrate or attack the culture of a person or community.
cultural rights- the rights of each child (either individually or as part of a group of people) to develop and express their background, customs, social behaviour, language, religion or spirituality, beliefs and way of living.
cultural safety - the positive recognition and celebration of cultures. It is more than just the absence of racism or discrimination and more than ‘cultural awareness’ and ‘cultural sensitivity’. It empowers people and allows them to contribute and feel safe to be themselves.
harm- damage to the health, safety or wellbeing of a child, including as a result of child abuse by adults or the conduct of other children. It includes physical, emotional, sexual and psychological harm. Harm can arise from a single act or event and can also be cumulative, that is, arising as a result of a series of acts or events over a period of time.
grooming- communication, including online, with a child under the age of 16 or their parents with the intent of committing child sexual abuse. Grooming does not necessarily involve any sexual activity or even discussion of sexual activity – for example, it may only involve establishing a relationship with the child, parent or carer for the purpose of facilitating sexual activity at a later time. Some types of grooming are a criminal offence. Maximum penalty 10 years imprisonment. Other grooming behaviours, while not a criminal offence, may still come within the definition of child abuse.
Policy
Western Chances is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children.
We have zero tolerance for child abuse.
Everyone at Western Chances is responsible for protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and will receive training in identifying and responding to abuse and harm.
Western Chances is committed to promoting cultural safety for Aboriginal children, cultural safety for children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.
All children, regardless of their gender, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, sexual orientation, or family or social background, have equal rights to protection from abuse and harm.
We respect the rights of children and will provide them with information about their rights to safety and privacy as recipients of a Western Chances scholarship.
Western Chances will seek young people’s views and ideas regarding our organisational planning and delivery of services.
Western Chances will ensure that child safety and wellbeing is a part of its overall risk management approach in both physical and online environments.
Policy Implementation
Board Responsibilities
The Western Chances Board is responsible for:
ensuring compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards as appropriate for Western Chances and its dealings with children and young people under 18;
ensuring child safety and wellbeing is a part of the overall risk management approach of Western Chances;
ensuring policies and procedures support child safety and wellbeing, the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, and a Child Safety and Wellbeing Code of Conduct is in place.
CEO Responsibilities
The Western Chances CEO is the Child Safety and Wellbeing Person.
The Western Chances CEO is responsible for: i
investigating reports about child safety, including acts of racism, and taking appropriate action;
ensuring all staff and volunteers are aware of the Child Safety and Wellbeing policy and the Child Safety and Wellbeing Code of Conduct policy;
ensuring staff receive training in relation to child safety and wellbeing including how to identify signs of abuse and harm, and minimising risks to children in physical and online environments;
ensuring staff receive training in relation to Aboriginal Culture and how to create a safe cultural environment for Aboriginal children and families;
approving, monitoring and reviewing collaboration with external organisations who will be involved in delivering programs for Western Chances children and young people as part of the Links Program;
request a copy of the organisation’s Child Safety and Wellbeing policy;
seek feedback where possible from children regarding their involvement in the Links Program opportunity, including if they felt welcomed, included and safe.
reporting on child safety and wellbeing is an agenda item at scheduled Board meetings or out of cycle if a report is made or an incident occurs;
making this policy accessible to everyone via the Western Chances website.
Staff and volunteers
All staff and volunteers must read and comply with this policy.
Safe physical and online environments
A minimum of two Western Chances adult representatives to accompany a scholarship recipient under 18 to meetings with, or presentations to, Western Chances donors following consultation with, and written permission from the parents/guardian/carer and the school. If the child is accompanied by a parent or a school representative, then only one Western Chances representative needs to be present.
Contact details of scholarship recipients under 18 years are never disclosed to a donor and all communication between scholarship recipients under 18 years and donors is facilitated by Western Chances.
Occasionally staff will email scholarship recipients under 18 years with information about Western Chances programs. When emailing children the staff member will CC another adult e.g. nominator or Western Chances staff member and file a copy of the email in the scholarship recipient’s file on the Salesforce database.
Collaboration with external providers
Western Chances collaborates with external individuals and organisations to offer opportunity programs for scholarship recipients and alumni. Western Chances will not collaborate with an individual or organisation if there is any doubt about possible risk to the safety of children and young people who may want to participate in the opportunity. Collaboration may occur if the CEO and Program Manager determine through due diligence work that the person or organisation is suitable and will draw up a memorandum of understanding.
Scholarship recipients participate in Links Program opportunities delivered by external providers who have been approved by the CEO, Western Chances. Communication regarding the recipient’s participation in the opportunity is between the external provider and the family, and may involve direct communication with the scholarship recipient. Western Chances is not responsible for managing or monitoring this communication.
Consultation and empowerment
Western Chances respects the rights of children and will provide them with information about their rights including the right to be safe, to privacy, and invite them to provide feedback about their involvement with Western Chances. All recipients of a New Scholarship will receive this information.
The Western Chances subcommittee called the Scholarship Team for Advice and Review (STAR) comprised of scholarship recipients and alumni has direct input into the organisation’s operations and program development and will be consulted on the development of child safe policies and procedures.
Government schools nominate children for Western Chances support. We will send a copy of our Child Safety and Wellbeing policy to school principals following the completion of the New Scholarship round in November.
Cultural safety for Aboriginal children and families
Western Chances is committed to creating environments where Aboriginal culture is celebrated and Aboriginal children, families and community members are welcomed and included. Actions to embed cultural safety for Aboriginal children at Western Chances include:
Delivering an Acknowledgement of Country at the commencement of Western Chances events and board and board sub-committee meetings.
Recognition of the traditional owners of the land on which Western Chances operates appears:
On the Western Chances website home page
On Western Chances staff email signatures
Staff attending training to gain an appreciation for culturally sensitive issues, to understand the strengths of Aboriginal culture, and its importance to the wellbeing and safety of Aboriginal children.
CEO to provide Board members with information following training.
Engaging with schools and relevant organisations in the western suburbs to seek scholarship applications from Aboriginal young people aged 12-25 who meet the eligibility criteria for scholarship support.
Valuing Diversity
The western suburbs are home to people from diverse cultural backgrounds and this diversity is reflected in our scholarship cohort and alumni community.
We value diversity and equity for all children and will consider diverse backgrounds, circumstances and needs when assessing eligibility for Western Chances programs.
We have zero tolerance for racism. Staff will receive training in how to identify incidences of racism and how to call it out or report it.
Complaints and Reporting
If a Western Chances staff member or volunteer believes a child is at immediate risk of sexual or physical abuse they should notify the CEO who will phone 000 to report the matter to police and follow their advice and relevant internal procedures.
The Chief Executive Officer, Zac Lewis 0407 639 009 is the designated Child Safety and Wellbeing Person with the specific responsibility for responding to any concerns or complaints made about the conduct of Western Chances staff or volunteers in their interactions with children.
Any complaint made about the CEO will be taken to the Chairperson of the Western Chances Board.
Who Can Make a Report
A parent/carer/guardian, child, staff member or volunteer can report any child safety concerns relating to the conduct of Western Chances staff and volunteers including:
Disclosure of abuse or harm
Allegation, suspicion or observation of abuse/harm
Breach of Code of Conduct
Breach of privacy or confidentiality
Environmental safety issues
How to Report
Verbal report, letter, email, telephone call, meeting.
Report Handling
The child safety person who receives the concern/complaint about the Western Chances staff member or volunteer will:
Offer support to the child, the parents/carers/guardians, the person who reports, and the accused staff member or volunteer.
Initiate internal processes to ensure safety of the child, clarify the nature of the complaint, and commence disciplinary process (if required).
Decide, in accordance with legal requirements and duty of care, whether the matter should be/must be referred to the police or Child Protection and make referral as soon as possible if required.
Western Health
Western Chances staff are employees of Western Health. From 1 January 2018, Victorian legislation requires Western Health to report any allegations of child abuse, and other child-related misconduct. The new laws apply to everyone at Western Health, and it is therefore crucial that all employees, volunteers, third parties and contractors are aware of their obligations regarding the manner in which we interact with children, and within the bounds of the appropriate conduct.
Investigating
If the appropriate child protection service or the police decide to conduct an investigation of a report, all staff and volunteers must co-operate fully with the investigation. Whether or not the authorities decide to conduct an investigation, the CEO will consult with the authorities to determine whether an internal investigation is appropriate. If it is decided that such an investigation will not conflict with any proceeding of the authorities, the CEO may decide to conduct such an investigation.
Confidentiality
The CEO will make every effort to keep any such investigation confidential; however, from time to time other members of staff may need to be consulted in conjunction with the investigation. All personal information considered or recorded will respect the privacy of the individuals involved unless there is a risk to someone’s safety.
Recruitment and Working With Children Checks
Recruitment for staff and volunteer positions at Western Chances will emphasise child safety and wellbeing.
Position descriptions will state:
Western Chances is a child safe organisation;
A Working with Children Check is required before commencing at Western Chances.
All staff and volunteers must read, sign and follow the Child Safety and Wellbeing Code of Conduct
Referee checks for new staff will include this question – “is there anything you are aware of about this person that would be a concern regarding the safety of children?”
All staff and volunteers working at Western Chances must hold a current Working with Children Check and provide evidence of this Check. All new staff and volunteers must provide the Check prior to commencing duties.
Anyone representing Western Chances and participating in activities involving children must have a current Working with Children Check.
Western Chances will include this policy and all related policies covering child safety and wellbeing in induction and training for new staff and volunteers, and update existing staff and volunteers as polices are amended.
Record Keeping
All staff and volunteers will be made aware of their obligation to information sharing and reporting child safety and wellbeing concerns at induction.
The CEO will retain all information pertaining to child safety and wellbeing issues until matters are resolved either through internal investigation or external authorities and report matters to the Western Chances board.
References
Legislation
Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic)
Child Wellbeing and Safety Amendment Act 2015 (Vic) - Victorian Child Safe Standards Crimes Act 1958 (Vic)
Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic) 8.2
Information and Resources
Western Health - See Reportable Conduct Scheme section of the Western Health intranet. It can be found under the Child Safeguarding section of the Health Equity page: http://inside.wh.org.au/departmentsandservices/HealthEquity/Pages/Reportable-Conduct-Scheme.aspx
Commission for Children and Young People - Resources https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/resources/child-safe-standards/#TOC-10
Moores (legal firm) https://www.moores.com.au/news-and-events/?expertises=1062
Authorisation
Western Chances Board
Sponsor: Zac Lewis, CEO
Date: 24/06/2022
Code of conduct
Background
The Child Safe Standards contained within the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) require organisations that provide services for children to have a child safe Code of Conduct (Standard 3).
Purpose
This Code of Conduct sets out the standards for appropriate behaviour of Western Chances staff, volunteers and contractors with and in the company of children, including online conduct, to help protect children from abuse. This Code of Conduct should be read in conjunction with the Western Chances Child Safe Policy.
Guiding principles
Western Chances assists motivated young people aged 12-25 in Melbourne’s west to realise their potential by providing scholarships, opportunity programs and ongoing support.
Western Chances:
• Awards merit based scholarships that are targeted to young people in Melbourne’s West who have limited opportunities and financial resources
• Provides programs and networks that advance the talents and pathways of young people in Melbourne’s West
• Recognises, nurtures and celebrates the talent and potential talent of young people
• Builds partnerships that align with our vision to support the sustainability of Western Chances
Definitions
These definitions relate to wording used in the Child Safe Standards.
child - A person who is under the age of 18 years.
child abuse - For the purposes of the Child Safe Standards, abuse constitutes any act committed against a child involving:
• physical violence;
• sexual offences;
• serious emotional or psychological abuse;
• serious neglect.
child safety - In the context of the child safe standards, child safety means measures to protect children from abuse.
cultural abuse - Actions and attitudes that deliberately ignore, denigrate or attack the culture of a person or community.
child sexual assault - is any act which exposes a child to, or involves a child in, sexual processes beyond his or her understanding or contrary to accepted community standards. Sexually abusive behaviours can include the fondling of genitals, masturbation, oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration by a penis, finger or any other object, fondling of breasts, voyeurism, exhibitionism, and exposing the child to or involving the child in pornography. It includes child grooming, which refers to actions deliberately undertaken with the aim of befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child to lower the child’s inhibitions in preparation for sexual activity with the child.
grooming - communication, including online, with a child under the age of 16 or their parents with the intent of committing child sexual abuse. Grooming does not necessarily involve any sexual activity or even discussion of sexual activity – for example, it may only involve establishing a relationship with the child, parent or carer for the purpose of facilitating sexual activity at a later time. Grooming is a criminal offence. Maximum penalty 10 years imprisonment.
Code of conduct
Western Chances staff and volunteers will:
• Follow the Child Safe policy and the values of Western Chances and report and act on any breaches.
• Welcome all children and include them in all activities where appropriate.
• Conduct ourselves in a manner consistent with the values of Western Chances and provide a positive role model for children and those who care for them.
• In the messages we convey (whether written or spoken) and the activities we organise or in which we participate, use language and ways of relating that affirm the worth, dignity and rights of children.
• Treat children and young people with respect, listen to and value their ideas and opinions and take action to protect their wellbeing.
• Respect cultural, religious and political differences.
• Carefully plan all activities involving children to ensure they are appropriate to the child’s safety, developmental needs and life experiences.
• Model appropriate adult behaviour.
• Respect the privacy of children and their families and only disclose information to people who have a need to know.
• Ask for a publicity release to be signed by the young person and his/her parent (if required) when using photos, stories, case studies for publicity purposes
• Report and act on any breaches of these standards of behaviour.
• Contact the police if a child is at immediate risk of abuse, phone 000.
Western Chances staff and volunteers will not:
• Shame, humiliate, oppress, belittle or degrade children or young people;
• Unlawfully discriminate against any child;
• Engage in any activity with a child or young person that is likely to physically or emotionally harm them;
• Initiate unnecessary physical contact with a child or young person, or do things of a personal nature for them that they can do for themselves;
• Be alone with a child or young person unnecessarily and for more than a very short time;
• Develop a ‘special’ relationship with a specific child or young person for their own needs;
• Show favouritism through the provision of gifts or inappropriate attention;
• Arrange contact, including online contact, with children outside of the organisation’s programs and activities;
• Photograph or video a child or young person without the consent of the child and his/her parents or guardians;
• Work with children or young people while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs;
• Engage in open discussions of a mature or adult nature in the presence of children;
• Use inappropriate language in the presence of children; or
• Do anything in contravention of the organisation’s policies, procedures or this Code of Conduct.
If you breach this Code of Conduct you will face disciplinary action, including and up to termination of employment or cessation of engagement with the organisation.
Legislation
Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) Child Wellbeing and Safety Amendment Act 2015 (Vic) - Victorian Child Safe Standards Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic)
Related Western Chances document
PO – 3.4 Child Safe Policy
Authorisation
Western Chances Board
Zac Lewis, CEO