Everyone participating in programs at Voice Community Outreach must keep to the following working with children and young people guidelines. If you have any concerns or observe any behaviour outside of these boundaries, please let us know by contacting the Safe Community Staff: safecommunity@voiceoutreach.org.au.

Programs

Providing a safe environment for children and young people is the priority of all the programs and events at VCO. Our working with children and young people guidelines seek to prevent situations occurring where a child or young person could be unsafe, as well as ensuring that the staff and volunteers who work with children and young people have undergone a strict screening and recruitment process and behave in a safe and accountable manner.

Children and young people are to be supervised at all times by approved adult leaders, who visually identify themselves by wearing a leader uniform, and/or a leader lanyard I.D tag.

Personal Interaction

Our working with children and young people guidelines ensure there is accountability in our behaviour around children and young people and sets a standard for what is appropriate. Never being alone with a child or young person and staying in safe, open environments provides for accountability within teams and ensures that interactions are safe and positive.

Leaders will always have another adult present when with a child or young person and remain in open environments in view of others.

Leaders will exercise safe, appropriate and child-initiated contact.

Children and young people are not to be transported alone; two approved adult leaders should be in the car.

Interaction with children and young people should remain within appropriate boundaries.

Communication and Media

Those volunteering with children and young people should communicate with them in an open way and with parents knowledge or involvement. This ensures communication stays within appropriate boundaries.

Leaders should not personally communicate electronically with children.

Communication should be transparent and only take place with parent/carer permission.

Electronic communication should remain within appropriate boundaries.

Children and young people's right to privacy will be protected, particularly when dealing with their personal information and when responding to pastoral situations or disclosures of harm.

Photos should only be taken by approved photographers for the purpose of promotions and marketing and only shared with permission. Photos and/or captions should not include the child or young person’s personal details such as address, phone number, full name or the name of the school they attend as this may pose a risk to their personal safety.

Responding to concerns or disclosures of harm

VCO is committed to a caring and appropriate response, should any suspicion, allegation, disclosure or complaint of misconduct or abuse occur. Concerns or disclosures of harm must be corresponded to the Safe Community Staff, who will ensure reports are made to relevant authorities in a consistent and thorough manner.

If you as a parent or carer have any concerns or observe any inappropriate conduct, please let us know by contacting the Safe Community Staff: safecommunity@voiceoutreach.org.au.