Child Risk Management Strategy - Arcadia Collegearcadia.qld.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020_ARC...Document Location: /Volumes/Arcadia College/Policies & Procedures/Arcadia College/Student

DocumentLocation:/Volumes/Arcadia College/Policies & Procedures/Arcadia College/Student and Staff Welfare/2020_ARC_Child Risk Management Strategy_V1.10.docx

ApprovalDate:19thAugust2020ReviewDate:19thAugust2021Page1of11

ChildRiskManagementStrategyCMS2020-1.10Purpose: ThepurposeofthisstrategyistoprovidewrittenprocessestoensurethatArcadiaCollege

complieswithlegislationapplyinginQueenslandaboutthecareandprotectionofchildren.Inparticular,thestrategysetsoutariskmanagementstrategyforthepurposeofreducingtheriskofharmtochildren.

Scope: Studentsandemployees,includingfull-time,part-time,permanent,fixed-termandcasualemployees,aswellascontractors,volunteersandpeopleundertakingworkexperienceorvocationalplacements.

Status: Approved Supersedes:N/AAuthorisedby: CollegeGoverningBoard ApprovalDate:19thAugust2020References:

• WorkingwithChildren(RiskManagementandScreening)Act2000(Qld)• WorkingwithChildren(RiskManagementandScreening)Regulation2011(Qld)• ChildProtectionAct1999(Qld)• Education(AccreditationofNon-StateSchools)Act2017(Qld)• Education(AccreditationofNon-StateSchools)Regulation2017(Qld)• Education(GeneralProvisions)Act2006(Qld)• Education(GeneralProvisions)Regulation2017(Qld)• EducationServicesforOverseasStudents(ESOS)Act2000(Cth)• Education(OverseasStudents)Regulation2014(Qld)• Education(QueenslandCollegeofTeachers)Act2005(Qld)• EducationandCareServicesNationalLaw(Queensland)• EducationandCareServicesNationalRegulations• ChildandYouthRiskManagementStrategyToolkit

Reviewed: Annually NextReview:19thAugust2021Responsibility: Principal PointofContact:Principal/GuidanceOfficerPolicyArcadiaCollegeiscommittedtothesafetyandwellbeingofstudentsenrolledattheschool.Inaccordancewithsections171and172oftheWorkingwithChildren(RiskManagementandScreening)Act2000(Qld),ArcadiaCollegeisdedicatedtoeliminatingandminimisingriskstochildsafetythroughthisStrategywhichincludesandreferstovariousotherpoliciesandprocedurestoeffectivelyensurethesafetyandwellbeingofchildrenintheschool’scare.ThisChildRiskManagementStrategyisevidenceofArcadiaCollegecommitmenttothesafetyandwellbeingofchildrenandtheprotectionofchildrenfromharminfulfilmentoftherequirementsofsection3(1)(a)oftheWorkingwithChildren(RiskManagementandScreening)Regulation2011(Qld).ImplementationInpractice,ArcadiaCollege’scommitmenttoactinginaccordancetotheWorkingwithChildren(RiskManagementandScreening)Act(“theAct”)toensurethesafetyandwellbeingofstudentsmeansthatitwillimplementthemeasuresoutlinedbelowinpoints1-8.



1. CodeofConduct(deleteoneofthesectionsbelowthatisirrelevantforyourschool)ArcadiaCollege’s‘StaffCodeofConductisevidenceoffulfilmentoftherequirementsofsection3(1)(b)oftheRegulation.AtArcadiaCollege,weexpectouremployeestoconductthemselvesasfollows:Collegeemployeesareexpectedtoalwaysbehaveinwaysthatpromotethesafety,welfareandwell-beingofchildren and young people. Theymust actively seek to prevent harm to children and young people, and tosupportthosewhohavebeenharmed.Specificresponsibilitiesinclude:

• Employeesshouldavoidsituationswheretheyarealoneinanenclosedspacewithastudent.• Whenphysicalcontactwithastudentisanecessarypartoftheteaching/learningexperience,

employeesmustexercisecautiontoensurethatthecontactisappropriateandacceptable.Employeesmustalwaysadvisethestudentofwhattheyintenddoingandseektheirconsent.

• Employeesmustnotdeveloparelationshipwithanystudentthatis,orthatcanbeinterpretedashavingapersonalratherthanaprofessionalinterestinastudent.

• Employeesmustnothavearomanticorsexualrelationshipwithastudent.

ThiscommitmentisevidenceofArcadiaCollege’sfulfilmentoftherequirementsofsection3(1)(b)oftheRegulation.2. Recruitment,Selection,TrainingandManagementProceduresArcadiaCollegeiscommittedtorecruiting,selecting,trainingandmanagingemployeesinsuchawaythatlimitsriskstochildren.Inparticular,ArcadiaCollegewill:

• Ensurethatitsrecruitmentandselectionproceduresacttoreducetheriskofharmtochildrenfromemployeesvia:o Accuratepositiondescriptions,includingwhetherthesuccessfulapplicantmustbeateacher

registeredwiththeQueenslandCollegeofTeachers(whohasbeensubjecttorelevantpoliceandothersafetychecks),whetheraBlueCardisnecessaryforthesuccessfulapplicant,theresponsibilitiesandsupervisionassociatedwiththeposition,thenatureandenvironmentoftheserviceprovidedtochildren,andtheexperienceandqualificationsrequiredbythesuccessfulapplicant.

o Advertisingthepositionwithaclearstatementabouttheschool’scommitmenttosafeandsupportiveworkpracticesandidentifyingthatcandidateswillbesubjecttoateacherregistrationcheckorBlueCardscreening,apolicecheck,refereechecks,identificationverificationandtherequirementtodiscloseanyinformationrelevanttothecandidates’eligibilitytoengageinactivitiesincludingyoungpeople.

o Aselectionprocessthatincludesassessingtheapplicationviaaninterviewprocessandrefereeandotherchecks(asidentifiedabove)basedontheaccuratepositiondescription.

o Aprobationaryperiodofemployment,whichallowstheschooltofurtherassessthesuitabilityofthenewemployeeandtoactasacheckontheselectionprocess.

• Ensurethatitstrainingandmanagementproceduresacttoreducetheriskofharmtochildrenfromemployeesvia:o Managementprocessesthatareconsistent,fairandsupportive.o Performancemanagementprocessestohelpemployeestoimprovetheirperformanceinapositive

manner.



o Supportiveprocessesforstaffwhentheyareexperiencingchallenges,suchasmentoring,mediation,conflictresolution,coaching,additionaltraining,andexternalsupportandcounsellingservices.

o Aninductionprogramwhichthoroughlyaddressestheschool’spoliciesandprocedures,particularlyitsexpectationsregardingchildriskmanagementandtoassistemployeestounderstandtheirroleinprovidingasafeandsupportiveenvironmentforchildren.

o Trainingnewandexistingstaffonanongoingbasistoenhanceskillsandknowledgeandtoreduceexposuretorisks,asfollows:

Ø theschool’spoliciesandproceduresØ identifying,assessingandminimisingriskstochildrenØ handlingadisclosureorsuspicionofharmtoachild.

o Keepingarecordofthetrainingprovidedtoemployees.o Exitinterviewstoassisttheschooltoidentifybroaderissuesofconcernthatmayimpactonthe

safetyandwellbeingofchildrenattheschool.

ThiscommitmentisevidenceofArcadiaCollege’sfulfilmentoftherequirementsofsection3(1)(c)oftheRegulation.3. HandlingDisclosuresorSuspicionsofHarmAnyofthetypesofconcernsorreportsbelowshouldbereportedandmanagedundertheArcadiaCollege‘ChildProtectionPolicy’andthe‘ChildProtectionProcedure’,asfollows:

• allstaffwithconcernsaboutsexualabuseorlikelysexualabuse• teacherswithconcernsofsexualorphysicalabuse• allstaffwhohavereceivedareportofinappropriatebehaviourbyanotherstaffmember.

In accordance with the ChildProtectionAct 1999, if a staff member, teaching or non-teaching, is aware orreasonablysuspectsharmhasbeencausedtoastudentunder18yearsandtheharmhasnotbeenreportedundertheChildProtectionPolicy,thestaffmembermustreporttheharmtotheschool’sPrincipal.Thetypesofharmreportedmayincludeemotionalorpsychologicalabuseorneglectorsexualexploitation.If thePrincipal isawareorreasonablysuspectstheharmhasbeencausedandthatthestudent is inneedofprotection,thePrincipalmustreporttheharmorsuspectedharmtotheChiefExecutiveoftheDepartmentofCommunities,ChildSafetyandDisabilityServices(orotherdepartmentadministeringtheChildProtectionAct1999).Inassessingwhetherastudent is inneedofprotection, theExecutivePrincipalwill consider the ‘SignificantHarmTest’andthe‘ParentWillingandAbleTest’asdetailedintheArcadiaCollege‘ChildProtectionProcedure’,aswellasutilisetheDepartmentofCommunities,ChildSafetyandDisabilityServices’ChildProtectionGuideresource.Please refer toArcadiaCollege’s ‘ChildProtectionProcedure’ aswell as to IndependentSchoolsQueensland’sChild Protection Decision Support Trees for information of the process for reporting all types of harm,includingsexualabuse.To report any type of harm, all staff members should use the ‘SuspectedHarm or SexualAbuseReport’’ inAppendix2ofthisStrategyaccessibleviaKiSSFLOW.Once the ‘SuspectedHarm or SexualAbuseReport’’is completed by the staffmember an assessmentwill bemade by the Executive Principal or Executive Principal’s delegate to submit the ‘SuspectedHarmorSexualAbuseForm’totherelevantauthoritiesbasedontheAppendix1‘SummaryofReportingHarm’.Furthermore,andinaccordancewithsection76oftheEducation(QueenslandCollegeofTeachers)Act2005,theExecutivePrincipalofArcadiaCollegewillreporttotheQueenslandCollegeofTeachersanyinvestigationsinto



allegationsofharmcaused,orlikelytobecaused,toachildbecauseoftheconductofateacher.Itisimportanttonotethatthenotificationrequirementisnotrestrictedtoallegationsofsexualabuseorlikelysexualabuse.In accordance with section 77 of the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005 requires theemployingauthoritytonotifytheQueenslandCollegeofTeacherswhenitfinishesdealingwithallegationsofharmtoachild,asdetailedinsection76.In accordance with section 78 of the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005 requires theemployingauthoritytonotifytheQueenslandCollegeofTeacherswithin14daysiftheemployingauthorityhasdismissed a teacher in circumstances that, in the opinion of the employing authority, call into question theteacher’scompetency.Competence issues thathaveaharmor likelyharmelementshouldbenotifiedundersections76and77(section78(1)refers).76 Requirementforemployingauthoritytonotifycollegeaboutparticularallegations

(1) Thissectionappliesiftheemployingauthorityforaprescribedschooldealswithanallegationofharmcaused,orlikelytobecaused,toachildbecauseoftheconductofarelevantteacheroftheprescribedschool.

(2) Theemployingauthoritymust,assoonaspracticableafterstartingtodealwiththeallegation,

givenoticetothecollegeofthatfact.

Maximumpenalty—40penaltyunits.

Note-Ifacorporationcommitsanoffenceagainstthisprovision,eachexecutiveofficerofthecorporationmaybetaken,undersection228,tohavealsocommittedtheoffence.

(3) Thenoticemustincludethefollowing-

(a)thenameoftheemployingauthorityand,ifthenameoftheauthorityisdifferenttothenameoftheprescribedschool,thenameoftheprescribedschool;

(b)thenameoftherelevantteacher;(c)thedaytheemployingauthoritystarteddealingwiththeallegation;(d)theallegation,particularsoftheallegationandanyotherrelevantinformation;(e)detailsaboutwhatactionstheemployingauthorityhastakentodealwiththeallegation.

(4) Forsubsection(1),anemployingauthoritydealswithanallegationiftheemployingauthority

takesactioninrelationtotheallegation,includingby-(a)investigating,inquiringinto,orexaminingtheallegation;or(b)referringtheallegationtoanotherentitytoinvestigate,inquireinto,examineorotherwisedealwith.

77 Requirementforemployingauthoritytonotifycollegeaboutoutcomeofparticularallegations

(1)Thissectionappliesiftheemployingauthorityforaprescribedschoolstartstodealwithanallegationmentionedinsection76(1).(2)Theemployingauthoritymust,assoonaspracticableaftertheemployingauthoritystopsdealingwiththeallegationforanyreason,givenoticetothecollegeoftheoutcomeoftheemployingauthority’sdealingwiththeallegation.

Maximumpenalty—40penaltyunits.

Note-Ifacorporationcommitsanoffenceagainstthisprovision,eachexecutiveofficerofthecorporationmaybetaken,undersection228,tohavealsocommittedtheoffence.(3)Thenoticemustincludethefollowing–(a)thenameoftheemployingauthorityand,ifthenameoftheauthorityisdifferenttothenameoftheprescribedschool,thenameoftheprescribedschool;(b)thenameoftherelevantteacher;



(c)thedaytheemployingauthoritystoppeddealingwiththeallegation;(d)theallegation,particularsoftheallegationandanyotherrelevantinformation;(e)thefindingsmadebytheemployingauthority;(f)theoutcomeoftheemployingauthority’sdealingwiththeallegationandanyreasonsfortheoutcome;(g)ifrelevant,theemployingauthority’sdecisionandthereasonsfortheauthority’sdecision.

This commitment is evidence of Arcadia College fulfilment of the requirements of section 3(1)(d) of theRegulation.4. ManagingBreachesofthisChildRiskManagementStrategyArcadiaCollegeiscommittedtoappropriatelymanagingbreachesofthis‘ChildRiskManagementStrategy’inaccordancewithitsotherrelevantpoliciesasappropriateinthecircumstances,suchasits‘ChildProtectionPolicy’,‘StaffCodeofConduct’,‘ComplaintsHandlingPolicy’andProceduresandEnterpriseBargainingAgreementorequivalent,andthisisevidenceoffulfilmentoftherequirementsofsection3(1)(e)oftheRegulation.5. ImplementingandReviewingtheChildRiskManagementStrategyThisStrategyinitsentiretyanditsrelatedpoliciesandproceduresareevidenceoffulfilmentoftherequirementsofsection3(1)(f)(i)oftheRegulationsrelatingtoimplementation.TheintroductiontothisChildRiskManagementStrategyandthe“ComplianceandMonitoring”sectionbelowstateArcadiaCollege’scommitmenttoreviewingtheStrategyannuallyandareevidenceoffulfilmentoftherequirementsofsection3(1)(f)(i)oftheRegulationrelatingtoreview.6. BlueCardPoliciesandProceduresArcadiaCollegeiscommittedtoactinginaccordancewithchapter8oftheActrelatingtothescreeningofemployeesinsuchawaythatlimitsriskstochildren.Inparticular,ArcadiaCollegewill:

• Requirerelevantprospectiveorcurrentemployees,volunteers,traineestudentsandschoolboardmemberstoapplyforaBlueCardorExemptionNotice,andcheckthevalidityandappropriatenessofanycurrentlyheldnoticesasappropriate,inaccordancewithArcadiaCollege’spositiondescriptionsandtheAct

• CompleteanAuthorisationtoconfirmavalidcardapplicationwhennecessary• SubmitaChangeinpolicenotificationformwhennotifiedbyemployeethatsuchachangehasoccurred• NotallowapersontocontinuetoworkwithchildreniftheirBlueCardorExemptionNoticeis

cancelledorsuspendedoranegativenoticeisreceivedafterachangeofpoliceinformation• SubmitaNolongerwithorganisationformwhenappropriate• Appointaschoolcontactpersonwhowillberesponsibleformanagingthescreeningprocessandall

relateddocumentationandrecords• Keepwrittenrecordsofalltheaboveactions,decisionsandoutcomes,includingthedatesofexpiryof

BlueCardsandExemptionNotices• EnsurethatallinformationinrelationtoBlueCardsandExemptionNoticesiskeptconfidential• ActtoremindemployeestokeeptheirBlueCardorExemptionNoticeuptodate

ThiscommitmentisevidenceofArcadiaCollege’sfulfilmentoftherequirementsofsection3(1)(f)(ii)oftheRegulation.7. HighRiskManagementPlansArcadiaCollegeiscommittedtoidentifyingrisks,assessingrisks,eliminatingandminimisingrisksandthemonitoringofrisktothesafetyofchildrenonanongoingbasis.ArcadiaCollegewillutilizevariousriskmanagementtoolstoassistitinthisprocessandwillkeepappropriaterecordsofdecisionsmadeandactionstakeninrelationtoriskstochildren.



ThiscommitmentisevidenceofArcadiaCollege’sfulfilmentoftherequirementsofsection3(1)(g)oftheRegulation.8. StrategiesofCommunicationandSupportArcadiaCollege’scommitmenttomakingthisChildRiskManagementStrategyavailabletostudents,parentsandemployeesviaitsenrolmentpack,staffhandbook,websiteisevidenceoffulfilmentoftherequirementsofsection3(1)(h)(i)oftheRegulation.ArcadiaCollegeiscommittedtotrainingemployeesinrelationtoriskstochildrenandwillconductthistrainingregularlyviaannualformaltrainingevents,informalupdatesatstaffmeetingsandregulardiscussionsbetweenmanagersandtheirstaff,andthisisevidenceoffulfilmentoftherequirementsofsection3(1)(h)(ii)oftheRegulation.ResponsibilitiesArcadiaCollegeisresponsiblefordevelopingandimplementingthis‘ChildRiskManagementStrategy’andrelatedpoliciesandprocedurestoensureitfulfilsitsobligations.AllemployeesatArcadiaCollegeareresponsibleforactingincompliancewiththis‘ChildRiskManagementStrategy’andrelatedpoliciesandprocedures.ComplianceandMonitoringArcadiaCollegeiscommittedtotheannualreviewofthisStrategy.ArcadiaCollegewillalsorecord,monitorandreporttotheCollegeBoard,theSeniorExecutiveTeamandothersasappropriateattheCollegeregardinganybreachesoftheStrategy.Inaddition,ArcadiaCollegeiscommittedtoothervariouscomplianceandmonitoringarrangementsmadeunderrelevantpoliciesandprocedures.RelatedDocuments

• ArcadiaCollegeChildProtectionPolicy• ArcadiaCollegeComplaintsHandlingPolicy• ArcadiaCollegeBlueCardRegister• ArcadiaCollegeRiskManagementPolicy• ArcadiaCollegeComplaintsHandlingProcedures• ArcadiaCollegeEmployeeCodeofConduct• ArcadiaCollegeRecruitmentPolicy

HelpfulLinks

• IndependentSchoolsQueensland’sChildProtectionDecisionSupportTrees• DepartmentofCommunities,ChildSafetyandDisabilityServices’ChildProtectionGuideresource

Appendices

• Appendix1-SummaryofReportingHarm• Appendix2–SuspectedHarmorSexualAbuseReport• Appendix2–SuspectedHarmorSexualAbuseForm



Appendix1ReportingofHarm

WHO WHATABUSE TEST REPORTTO LEGISLATION STATUS

AllStaff Sexual

Awarenessorreasonablesuspicion

Sexuallyabusedorlikelytobesexuallyabused

Principal,throughtoPolice

EGPA,sections366&366A Unchanged

Teacher SexualandPhysical

Significantharm

Parentmaynotbewillingand

able

ConferwithPrincipal,

reporttoChildSafety

CPA,sections13Eand13G New

AllStaff

Physical,Psychological,Emotional,Neglect,

Exploitation

Significantharm


able

Principal,throughtoChild

Safety

AccreditationRegulations,section10

Amended

AllStaff Any

Notofalevel

thatisotherwise

reportabletoChildSafety,referwithconsent

Principal,throughto

familyandChildConnect

CPA,sections13Band159M New

CEO/ExecutivePrincipal Any

Notofalevel

thatisotherwise

reportabletoChildSafety,referwithoutconsent

FamilyandChildConnect

CPA,sections13Band159M New

AnyMemberofthePublic Any

Significantharm


able

ChildSafety CPA,section13A Unchanged



Appendix2





Appendix3

