Child Safety

RED BRICK CREATIVE PTY LTD t/a 

AUSTRALIAN ACTING ACADEMY

CHILD SAFETY POLICY 2025

 

1. Introduction: 

The Australian Acting Academy (AAA) is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people in our care. This Child Safety Policy and Risk Management Strategy outlines our approach to protecting children from harm and ensuring their physical and emotional welfare in alignment with Queensland's legislative requirements.

AAA also draws on the nationally recognised 11 Child Safe Standards developed by the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) to guide best practice. These include child empowerment, family and community engagement, cultural safety, equity, and ongoing review. *(For more detail on the Child Safe Standards please refer to Appendix A).

 

2. Purpose: 

To establish a comprehensive risk management strategy that:

• Protects children and young people from harm.

• Supports a child-safe organisational culture.

• Complies with the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and Regulation 2020.

• Aligns with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and the 11 Child Safe Standards.

 

3.Scope: 

This policy applies to all AAA employees, contractors, volunteers, students, parents, guardians, and visitors.

 

4. Statement of Commitment: 

AAA is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We:

• Promote a safe and inclusive environment, with particular attention to our Safety Net Philosophy, which stands for creating safe spaces for young people to take creative risks.

• Take all reasonable steps to protect children from harm.

• Encourage the empowerment and participation of children in our programs.

• Respect and promote cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disability, LGBTIQA+ children, and children unable to live at home.

• Ensuring that program content is age appropriate and supports our mission of creating safe spaces for young people. 

• Providing students with access to trusted adults as they develop their skills to ensure that our focus is on the whole person and not just skill development. 

• To involve parents in an active and empowered role in our students’ journey, and to ensure that our team provides our students and their parents with opportunities to connect. 

• We use respectful, age appropriate language and consider the person we are communicating with in all interactions.

 

5. Code of Conduct: 

 All adults engaged with AAA must:

• Treat children with respect, fairness, and dignity.

• Maintain clear professional boundaries.

• Never engage in any form of inappropriate behaviour, including grooming, physical or emotional abuse, or neglect.

• Never engage in private communication with children outside of organisational channels.

• Follow clear behaviour guidelines for supervision, language, transport, technology use, and interactions.

• All staff and volunteers will adhere to our full Code of Conduct Policy. Which outlines clear expectations and procedural requirements for adults within the organisation.

 

6. Maintaining Safe Environments

• All staff, coaches, volunteers and parents will ensure that the physical environments that students train in are safe. 

• Parents will drop off and pick students up at appropriate times. 

• If parents are late to collect children, coaches will wait with the children until they are safely collected. Late pickup fees may apply.

• If students are late being collected, coaches will attempt to contact parents via contact details provided on enrolment. 

• Coaches will also advise Management of late pickups (beyond 15 minutes) via email. 

• An incident report form must be filed by the coach for late pickups (beyond 15 minutes)

• Coaches and staff must not leave a child unsupervised, children waiting for their parents must be in direct line of sight of coaches and within a close proximity. 

• Coaches and staff must under no circumstances take students home or to any other location in their personal vehicles, nor assume responsibility for transporting students via any other means.

​

7. Recruitment, Selection, Training, and Management: 

AAA employs child-safe recruitment and management practices:

• All staff/volunteers must hold a valid Blue Card.

• Job descriptions include child safety responsibilities.

• Recruitment includes behavioural interview questions and reference checks.

• Induction and annual training cover:

  • Child protection laws and reporting obligations.

  • Recognising and responding to harm.

  • AAA’s policies and procedures.

• Staff performance is reviewed regularly regarding child safety responsibilities.

 

Ongoing Training and Review:

• Child safety training is revisited at compulsory all-staff training prior to each term, with a particular focus in Term 1 each year.

• Additional online modules are provided to support self-paced learning and meet individual development needs.

• Staff performance reviews include a review of adherence to child safety responsibilities and behavioural expectations.

​

8. Handling Disclosures or Suspicions of Harm: 

Harm includes physical, emotional, psychological, sexual abuse or neglect. All staff are trained to:

• Respond calmly and appropriately to disclosures.

• Document accurately.

• Report immediately to the Child Safety Officer and, where required, to Police (000 or 131 444) or Child Safety Services.

• Mandatory reporters must follow legal obligations.

All staff have a duty to report any behaviour by another employee, contractor, or volunteer that raises concerns about child safety or breaches professional boundaries, even if the behaviour does not appear to involve abuse.

Reports must be made to the Child Safety Officer or a member of management. If a child is believed to be in immediate danger, emergency services must be contacted immediately by calling 000.

In the event of a medical or immediate threat to safety, staff must first contact emergency services (000), then notify the student’s parent or guardian as soon as it is safe to do so, followed by notification to the Child Safety Officer or senior management.

​

9. Managing Breaches of the Strategy: 

Breaches of this strategy or Code of Conduct will be addressed through disciplinary action which may include suspension, termination, or referral to authorities. A register of breaches will be maintained and reviewed annually.

 

10. Risk Management Plans for High-Risk Activities: 

Risk assessments will be completed for all:

• Excursions and off-site activities.

• Overnight events or travel.

• Online or live-streamed events. Plans will outline supervision, safety protocols, consent, and emergency procedures.

​

11. Compliance with Blue Card System Requirements: 

AAA ensures:

• All staff have valid and current Blue Cards.

• Records of Blue Card numbers and expiry dates are maintained.

• Blue Card status is monitored regularly.

• Access to the Organisation Portal for Blue Card management is maintained

​

12. Communication and Support: 

This policy is publicly available on our website. Children and parents are informed of their rights and who they can speak to. Posters and visual resources support understanding. The Child Safety Officer is named in onboarding materials and available to support staff and families.

 

13. Review of Strategy: 

This policy is reviewed annually or after any serious incident. Stakeholder feedback (children, families, staff) is sought. Revisions are endorsed by senior management. The Academy is committed to continuous improvement, including annual review of training, procedures, and alignment with evolving best practice standards.

 

14. Child Safety Officer Contact: 

The designated Child Safety Officer is the Managing Director. The Managing Director has completed child protection training through Bravehearts, including Introduction to Child Protection and Child Protection for Child-Facing Organisations. The Child Safety Officer is responsible for receiving and documenting reports, assessing and escalating concerns as needed, and consulting external child protection advisors when appropriate. Contact details are provided to all families and staff.

 

15. Child Safety Advisor: 

In addition to the Managing Director’s role as Child Safety Contact, the Academy has appointed a qualified Child Safety Advisor to provide additional support, consultation, and oversight. This advisor is a registered teacher and experienced child safety professional with prior leadership experience within the organisation.

The Child Safety Advisor is available to support staff in navigating concerns, reviewing policies, and maintaining alignment with best practice. Contact details for this advisor will be made available to staff upon engagement and through internal communication channels.

 

The organisation also commits to engaging the services and resources of organisations focused on child safety such as Bravehearts and NAPCAN.

 

These initiatives are adopted to ensure that corporate governance structures do not create a barrier to reporting or staff seeking advice.

 

16. Acknowledgement and Induction: 

All staff and volunteers must read and acknowledge this policy. A Child Safety Induction Checklist is completed upon onboarding.

 

17. Additional Notes on Pre-Existing Relationships

Employees must maintain appropriate professional boundaries with all students, including those with whom they or their families have a pre-existing personal relationship. If a staff member has a prior friendship or family connection with a student, this must be disclosed to the Child Safety Officer to ensure transparency. Interactions with the student within the Academy setting must remain strictly professional, and no preferential treatment or informal communication methods should be used.

 

18. Whistleblower Protection

The Academy will support and protect any staff member who, in good faith, raises a concern related to child safety or misconduct. Retaliation or victimisation for making a report is strictly prohibited and will be treated as misconduct. Staff are encouraged to speak up and report concerns without fear of negative consequences, in line with a culture of safety and accountability.

 

19. External Complaint Pathways

In addition to internal reporting processes, individuals may raise concerns with external authorities if they believe an issue has not been addressed appropriately. External pathways include:
- Queensland Police (000 for emergencies or 131 444 for non-urgent matters)
- Child Safety Services (Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs)
- Office of the Public Guardian (for independent oversight in Queensland)

 

20. Use of Images and Recordings of Children

The Australian Acting Academy is committed to safeguarding the privacy and dignity of all students. While the Academy may capture photos or videos for educational and promotional purposes, specific protocols must be followed, especially when staff use personal devices.​

Use of AAA Devices

The AAA provides an iPad for each class for the purposes of marking rolls, access of information and capturing images and video for the purposes of the curriculum, along with archival and marketing purposes. All students parents are required to sign a release upon enrolment allowing the use of images, or to contact us to make alternate arrangements if images are not to be used. 

Use of Staff Personal Devices:

• Authorisation: Staff must obtain prior authorisation from management before using personal devices to capture images or recordings during classes or events.​

• Consent: Ensure that parental or guardian consent has been obtained for any student who may be photographed or recorded, in line with the Academy's Media Release policy.​

• Storage and Transfer: All images or recordings captured on personal devices must be transferred to the Academy's secure storage system by the end of the day following the class or event, except by special authorisation from management.​

• Deletion: After successful transfer, staff are required to permanently delete the images or recordings from their personal devices, including any backups or cloud storage services.​

• Prohibited Use: Sharing images or recordings of students on personal social media accounts or any unauthorised platforms is strictly prohibited.​

The Academy supports staff, students, and families to access online safety information and complaint services through the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. This includes resources on cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and safe digital behaviour. These principles inform our digital media and livestream practices. (https://www.esafety.gov.au/)

 

Compliance:

Failure to adhere to these protocols may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. These measures are in place to ensure the safety and privacy of all students and to maintain the Academy's commitment to child protection.​

 

21. Appropriate Relationships and Communication Boundaries

To ensure student safety and maintain professional standards, the Australian Acting Academy sets clear expectations for staff, contractors, and volunteers regarding personal boundaries. While we create environments where students are encouraged to express themselves under the support of kind, caring coaches. Professional boundaries are necessary to ensure child safety. It is the adult’s responsibility to always ensure that professional, appropriate relationships exist between themselves and young people.

21.1. Use of Personal Contact Details

• Staff must not share their personal contact details (e.g., phone number, email, social media handles) with students except as approved by staff as part of our attendance management procedures.

• Staff must not request or use student personal contact details unless specifically authorised for an approved Academy function.

• All communication with students and families must occur through official AAA systems and channels.

21.2. Social Media Boundaries

• Staff must not add, follow, message, or otherwise interact with students on personal social media platforms.

• Media content featuring students must only be published via approved AAA accounts and with verified parent/guardian consent.

• Private sharing of media, tagging students, or posting to personal accounts is strictly prohibited.

21.3. Interactions Outside of Class

• Personal interactions with students outside the Academy setting must be avoided unless:

  • A pre-existing family or community relationship exists, and

  • The relationship is disclosed to the Child Safety Officer, and

  • Clear professional boundaries are maintained within the AAA context. 

  • Staff are expected to avoid private or social interactions with students outside of the Academy context.

  • Attending student social events or parties is not appropriate unless the staff member has a disclosed and pre-existing family relationship.

  • Staff members who were previously students of the Academy must take particular care to create clear and appropriate boundaries upon the commencement of employment. This includes reframing former peer relationships into professional ones, especially where minors are involved.

21.4. Contact with Parents/Guardians

• Staff may only contact parents or guardians using Academy-approved methods for Academy-related matters (e.g., class changes, follow-ups).

• Personal relationships with parents must not compromise impartiality, student privacy, or the enforcement of child safety procedures

21.5 Support for Staff

At the Australian Acting Academy, we recognise that staff may sometimes be confided in by students or families about emotionally challenging situations. While this is a sign of trust, it can also place emotional pressure on staff, especially those in caring or mentoring roles.

The following principles apply:

• The Academy acknowledges that students or their parents may share information with coaches or staff that is emotionally sensitive or personally distressing, such as grief due to a loss in the family, ongoing health conditions, or mental health concerns being professionally managed.

• These situations are distinct from disclosures of harm, abuse, or risk, which must be reported in accordance with the Child Safety Policy and escalation procedures.

• Staff who find themselves impacted by such disclosures, or who feel unsure of how to respond appropriately, are encouraged to seek immediate support from the Managing Director or Artistic Director.

• The Academy promotes a culture of mutual care and recognises that staff wellbeing is vital to providing safe environments for young people.

• It is important for students and parents to understand that while our team members are caring and empathetic individuals, they are not trained mental health professionals or counsellors, and must be confident and comfortable referring families to qualified services where needed.

• Guidance is available to staff to assist in responding empathetically while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

Compliance:
Breaches of these guidelines will be considered serious misconduct and may lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal or referral to external authorities.

This strategy aims to foster a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for all children and young people engaged with the Australian Acting Academy.

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, contact emergency services on 000.

 

Version

This policy is reviewed annually or after any serious incident or legal update. Version history and updates will be recorded below. 

Latest review: May 2025. Next review: May 2026

 

Appendix A – National Child Safe Standards

The Australian Acting Academy acknowledges and aspires to align with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission and endorsed across jurisdictions, including Queensland. These 11 standards guide best practice for creating child-safe environments:

1. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture

2. Children and young people are informed about their rights and participate in decisions affecting them

3. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing

4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice

5. People working with children are suitable and supported to reflect child safety values in practice

6. Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child-focused

7. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe

8. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing

9. Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved

10. Policies and procedures document child safety responsibilities

11. Risk management strategies focus on preventing, identifying and mitigating risks to children