Childsafe Code of Conduct

1       Commitment to Child Safety

1.1        Online Virtuoso condemns all forms of child abuse, exploitation of children and discrimination against children. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes safety for people involved in all of our programs (online and face to face), including all children. All Online Virtuoso Directors, staff, contractors and volunteers are responsible for promoting the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of children and young people.

2      Consequences of Breaching the Code of Conduct

            Directors, staff, contractors or volunteers who breach this Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary actions that could include enhanced supervision, appointment to an alternate role, suspension or termination.

3      Code of Conduct Agreement

            All Online Virtuoso Directors, staff, contractors or volunteers are responsible for promoting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people by agreeing to and adhering to the below standards of behaviour.

4      Acceptable behaviours:

4.1       adhere to all relevant Australian and Victorian legislation

4.2      raise concerns with management if risks to child safety are identified

4.3      take all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse

4.4      report and act on any behavioural complaints, concerns or observed breaches regarding this Code of Conduct

4.5      report any concern, allegation, disclosure or observation of child abuse to a Director of Online Virtuoso and in line with mandatory reporting requirements, including the Reportable Conduct Scheme

4.6      respect the privacy of children and their families by keeping all information regarding Child Protection concerns confidential, only discussing information with the relevant people to follow reporting procedure

4.7      treat all children and young people with respect, regardless of race, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, culture, property, disability or other status

4.8      listen to and value children and young people’s ideas and opinions

4.9      welcome all children and their families and carers by being inclusive

4.10    actively promote cultural safety and inclusion

4.10    listen to children and respond to them appropriately

4.11    work with children in an open and transparent way – other adults should always know about the work being done with children

4.12    observe professional boundaries with children at all times, including when seeing a child from Online Virtuoso outside the Online  Virtuoso event.

5      Unacceptable behaviours:

5.1       condone or participate in behaviour with children that is illegal, unsafe or abusive

5.2      seek to use children in any way to meet the needs of adults

5.3      ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse

5.4      exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues

5.5      use hurtful, discriminatory or offensive behaviour or language with children

5.6      discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender identity, race, culture or sexual orientation

5.7       develop ‘special’ relationships with specific children or show favouritism or amount to ‘grooming’ behaviour through the provision of gifts or inappropriate attention

5.8      exchange personal contact details such as phone numbers, social networking details or email addresses with children

5.9      have unauthorised contact with children and young people online, on social media or by phone

5.9      use any Online Virtuoso online session to exploit or harass children