Child Protection Policy - The Friendship Circle of Melbourne
Child Protection Policy
Policy Aims, Scope and Objective
Friendship Circle is committed to providing a safe environment for all participants, staff and volunteers of our various programmes. Anyone involved with Friendship Circle has a right to:
This policy is applicable throughout our programmes which include but are not exclusive to Sunday Circle Programme:
The policy aims to reduce the risk of Abuse occurring, and to ensure that a caring and appropriate response is taken should Abuse occur.
Child abuse takes a variety of forms, which can become apparent to uswhilst working with participants and their families. This policy is designed to give all staff, volunteers and families the guidelines for dealing with all forms of abuse.
Definitions of Abuse
Child abuse: Child abuse is a single or repeated act that causes harm or distress to a child, occurring in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust.
Physical Abuse: Physical Abuse involves any non-accidental physical injury, including hitting, punching, kicking, shaking, burning, biting, pulling hair, or administering alcohol or drugs.
Sexual Abuse: Sexual Abuse includes any assault or abuse of a sexual nature, such as molestation, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, or intimidation.
Emotional Abuse: Emotional Abuse refers to ongoing behaviour or attitudes that harm a person’s self-esteem or confidence. This may include: insulting, bullying, devaluing, ignoring, rejecting, isolating, terrorising, or creating a harmful emotional environment.
Neglect: Neglect is the failure to provide for a child’s basic needs or any act or omission that jeopardises a person’s health or development.
At Friendship Circle Australia, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of abuse and misconduct. While not all inappropriate behaviours meet the definition of abuse, they are strictly prohibited at Friendship Circle programs. These include (but are not limited to):
All incidents of concern are taken seriously and will prompt an internal investigation.
Defining Friendship Circle Melbourne
- Organisation: Australian Friendship Circle, c/o 2 Vadlure Avenue, St Kilda East 3183
- Staff: Anyone employed by Australian Friendship Circle in any capacity, including directors, coordinators, and administrative staff.
- Volunteers: Unpaid individuals who assist at events and work directly with children and their families.
- Participants: Anyone who attends or takes part in our programs.
- Casual Employees: Individuals hired to provide entertainment, activities, or programs for participants.
- Child: Any individual under the age of 18.
Selection & Screening
Staff Members
Prior to beginning work with friendship circle the organisation will ensure the following has taken place:
Casual Employees
Before a casual employee comes to work at Friendship Circle the organisation will ensure that the following is in place:
Volunteers
They will fill out an application form and sign a code of conduct.
In all the above categories, if the Organisation has identified that an applicant has previously committed a violent or sexually related offence or where there is reasonable evidence surrounding an applicant, they cannot, under any circumstances, be considered for employment or engagement with Friendship Circle.
A Safe Environment
The participants attending Friendship circle Melbourne are all children or vulnerable people. To ensure there is a safe environment at all times we have the following policies to complement this one. The relevant parts of these are included in the volunteers code of conduct.
Reporting Procedures
Concerns about a participant / child
Friendship Circle Melbourne actively encourages all staff and volunteers to report any concerns they may have about a child or participant to the director of services. This report can be made directly or via their immediate line manager. All reports will be taken seriously and dealt with appropriately. The details of those reporting abuse will at all times be kept private and confidential.
Concerns about inappropriate behaviour from a staff member; casual employee or volunteer
Participant’s families, volunteers, staff members and other participants are urged to feel comfortable to speak to one of the directors about any concerns they may have it this regard. These concerns will be taken seriously and investigated accordingly. Actions taken by the organisation may include the following depending on the severity of the allegation:
All disclosures or concerns of abuse will be documented accordingly and the person within the organisation responsible is the Director of Services. This person will ensure that all persons involved with the organisation are aware of this policy and their role with regards safeguarding.
Alcohol & Drugs
The consumption of alcohol, cigarettes or illegal drugs by staff or volunteers whilst attending any friendship circle programme is strictly prohibited. Anyone found to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs will be sent home from that particular programme and the incident will be reported to the director of services. Any participant required to take prescription medication administered by staff of volunteers will need to ensure it has been discussed with the director of services in advance and that the prescription is current.