CHILD SAFE POLICY 2025
Purpose
This Child Safe Policy outlines the practices and standards we follow to ensure that children at Opal Performing Arts are treated with respect, free from abuse, bullying, and harassment.
As part of our duty of care, we are dedicated to creating a safe learning environment where children can thrive, with all parties responsible for upholding these high standards. We prioritise accountability, open communication, and respect to ensure a positive experience for every child.
This Policy Applies To
At Opal Performing Arts, our Child Safe Policy applies to all students, staff, parents, visitors, volunteers, and anyone else interacting with children while at the studio
Responsibilities Of Students, Staff, Parents, Visitors And Volunteers
Creating and maintaining a child-safe environment is a shared responsibility. Each member of our community plays a vital role in ensuring that our studio remains a safe space for children.
Below are the specific responsibilities of each group in upholding our Child Safe Policy:
Responsibilities Of Students
Students are key participants in maintaining a safe environment.
They are expected to:
Act Appropriately: Adhere to all studio policies, including our Child Safe Policy.
Respect Others: Treat all fellow students, staff, and any other individual involved in the studio with kindness and respect. This includes no bullying, teasing, or discriminating against others based on their abilities, appearance, or background.
Respect Boundaries: Respect personal boundaries, both physical and emotional. Any form of inappropriate behaviour, including inappropriate comments, touching, or verbal harassment is not tolerated.
Seek Help: Report any behaviour or incidents that make them feel uncomfortable or at risk, whether it involves themselves or others. If they witness concerning behaviour or experience it themselves, students should approach a trusted staff member or their parents to discuss their concerns.
Responsibilities Of Staff
Staff have the most direct influence on the safety and well-being of children at Opal Performing Arts.
Their responsibilities include:
Act Appropriately: Adhere to all studio policies, including our Child Safe Policy.
Maintain Confidentiality: Respect the confidentiality of sensitive information regarding students and their families. This includes not sharing personal information without consent, except in cases where reporting is required to ensure the safety of the child.
Mandated Reporting: As mandated reporters, our staff are legally required to report any suspected or disclosed abusive behaviour to the Victorian Police.
Professionalism And Integrity: Maintain high standards of professional behaviour, ensuring they are approachable, respectful, and trustworthy. This includes maintaining clear professional boundaries with students, and being role models for positive behaviour.
Promote Respect: Foster an inclusive, non-discriminatory, and respectful environment where all students, regardless of ability, background, or identity, feel supported and valued. Staff should actively work to prevent bullying, harassment, and any form of discrimination.
Training: Attend our annual child safety training and stay up-to-date on our Child Safe Policy and Code Of Conduct.
Responsibilities Of Parents
Parents are key participants in maintaining a child-safe environment.
Their responsibilities include:
Act Appropriately: Adhere to all studio policies, including our Child Safe Policy.
Contact Information: Ensure the studio always has accurate and up-to-date emergency contact information, medical details, and any other important information (such as allergies, special needs) that could affect their child’s participation or safety during class.
Pickup Arrangements: Parents must pick up their child promptly. If running late, they should contact the studio. Parents should inform the studio if there are any changes to the designated pickup arrangements.
Report Concerns: Report any concerns constructively and promptly with the studio’s director. Concerns should be communicated respectfully to ensure they are properly addressed.
Respect Others: Abusive behaviour toward students, staff, or anyone else at the studio will not be tolerated. We have a duty of care to all students, and any such behaviour will be addressed immediately.
Responsibilities Of Visitors
Visitors must respect the studio’s rules, maintain a positive environment, and ensure their behaviour doesn’t disrupt classes or jeopardise the safety of students, staff and other people at the studio.
Responsibilities Of Volunteers
Volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of students during events such as concerts, competitions, and other studio activities.
Their responsibilities include:
Act Appropriately: Adhere to all studio policies, including our Child Safe Policy.
Ensure Appropriate Behaviour: Monitor students’ behaviour throughout the event. Volunteers must intervene if any student is engaging in inappropriate or disruptive behaviour, and report any serious issues to staff immediately.
Supervise Students: Ensure that all students are closely supervised at all times during the event, both in and out of performance areas. Volunteers should be proactive in keeping track of students, ensuring they are in designated areas, and that they are safe and accounted for before, during, and after the event.
Report Concerns: Report any concerns or incidents - whether related to safety, student well-being, or inappropriate behaviour - immediately to the studio director. This includes addressing any issues regarding bullying, harassment, or any concerns that might compromise the safety of students, staff, and other people.
Recruitment And Employment Practices
1.1. As part of our recruitment process, all staff and volunteers must hold a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC). Checks will be done annually to ensure all records are up-to-date.
1.2. All employees must obtain and provide us with a valid police check upon recruitment.
1.3. All staff must have an up-to-date CPR and First Aid Certificate. These will be checked annually and renewed when expired.
1.4. Before commencing their roles, staff will complete comprehensive training on child safety, including identifying and responding to signs of abuse, maintaining professional boundaries, and understanding their legal obligations as mandatory reporters.
1.5. All staff and volunteers are throughly briefed on our Child Safe Policy and Code Of Conduct that outlines the expected attitudes and behaviours when working with children.
1.6. Staff and volunteers are required to sign an acknowledgment that they understand and agree to abide by these policies.
Abuse, Bullying, And Harassment
2.1. We have a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, and any other form of abuse, whether it comes from students, staff, parents, visitors, or volunteers.
2.2. Students, as well as any adult involved with the studio are encouraged to report any incidents of bullying or harassment where children are involved. We have a clear and confidential reporting system in place to address all concerns.
2.3. Any individual found engaging in abusive behaviour, bullying, or harassment, will face appropriate consequences, including possible expulsion from the studio, depending on the severity of the incident.
Discrimination
3.1. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all students.
3.2. We promote diversity and strive to ensure that all students feel welcome and respected in our studio. Discrimination or exclusion based on personal characterises will not be tolerate
Physical Contact
4.1. Staff must maintain professional boundaries with children. Physical contact should only occur when necessary for safety or instruction and must be appropriate, limited, and respected.
4.2. In cases where physical assistance is required, staff must ensure that it is done in a manner that respects the child’s comfort and privacy. Whenever possible, staff should seek the child’s verbal agreement before proceeding.
4.3. Students have the right to refuse physical contact without repercussion.
4.4. If a student feels that physical contact was inappropriate or if they have any concerns, they are encouraged to speak directly with their teacher, parents, or with the studio director. All concerns will be handled professionally and with sensitivity.
4.5. Where an injury occurs at the studio, students will receive treatment from a teacher or a staff member who is qualified in first aid. Physical contact may be required.
Photography And Videography Of Students
5.1. Photography and videography are not allowed during classes, except when taken by teachers for the purpose of promoting the studio on social media.
5.2. Parents provide consent for their child to be photographed or filmed by Opal Performing Arts for the studio’s promotional purposes (social media, website, etc.) as outlined in the Terms & Conditions upon enrolment.
5.3. Before any photographs or videos are shared online (e.g., on social media), we will always ask students for their permission. If a student does not wish to be posted, we will respect their decision and ensure they are not included on social media.
5.4. Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in bathrooms, dressing rooms, or any private areas.
5.5. The studio may hire professional photographers and videographers for concerts, events, and other performances throughout the year. These photographs / videos will only be shared with parental consent, through private and secure channels.
5.6. To ensure the privacy of all children, photography and videography at our concerts and other performances is strictly prohibited to protect the privacy of other children who may appear in the photographs and videos.
Allergies
6.1. Be mindful of food allergies, especially in shared spaces. We request that students refrain from bringing highly allergenic foods (e.g. peanuts) into the studio, especially if there are known allergies among classmates or other students.
Smoking And Vaping
7.1. Smoking, vaping and the use of e-cigarettes are strictly prohibited inside the studio or within four metres of the studio’s entrance and exit. Use designated smoking areas outside of the studio.
7.2. If an individual is found to be smoking or vaping inside the studio or within four metres of the studio’s entrance and exit, the studio reserves the right to suspend or remove them from the studio.
Alcohol And Drugs
8.1. Alcohol is strictly prohibited on studio premises at all times.
8.2. If an individual is found to be under the influence of alcohol while on the studio premises, the studio reserves the right to suspend or remove them from the studio.
8.3. The use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs, controlled substances, or recreational drugs is strictly prohibited at the studio.
8.4. If an individual is found to be under the influence of drugs while on the studio premises, the studio reserves the right to suspend or remove them from the studio.
Reporting Concerns
9.1. We take any concerns regarding the well-being and safety of children seriously. All reports of suspected abuse, bullying, harassment, or any other misconduct will be treated with the utmost priority and handled in a professional manner.
9.2. We maintain a strict no-retaliation policy. No individual will be subjected to any form of retaliation or negative consequence for reporting a concern in good faith. All students, staff, and parents are encouraged to report any issues without fear of reprisal.
Duty Of Care And Mandatory Reporting
At Opal Performing Arts, we take our legal obligations seriously.
10.1. In Victoria, all adults must report any reasonable suspicion that an adult has sexually abused a child under 16 years old to Victoria Police.
10.2. Opal Performing Arts will report any reasonable belief that a child is being physically or sexually abused to the Victorian Police.
10.3. Any person in a position of authority at Opal Performing Arts who fails to report abuse of a child under 16 years old may be subject to criminal charges for not fulfilling their legal obligation.
Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its effectiveness in maintaining a safe environment for children enrolled at Opal Performing Arts. Any updates will be communicated to all students, staff, and parents, and we encourage ongoing feedback to improve our child safety practices.
The most current version of this policy will be made available on our website at www.opalperformingarts.com.au, and we encourage all parties to review it regularly to stay informed.