Introduction
Our policy guides staff, educators and students on how to behave with children in our service. The policy focuses on how we can make our Autism Community Network safer for them.
Support for children’s participation
Autism Community Network supports the active participation of children in our service. We listen to children’s views and respect what they say.
Support for staff and educators
1. We promote respect, fairness and consideration for all staff and volunteers.
2. All staff and Volunteers have managers assigned to support and supervise their work.
3. All new staff and volunteers will receive a copy of the Child Safe Policy, Code of Conduct and our Complaints policy.
Recruitment
1. Our service will maintain a rigorous and consistent recruitment, screening and selection process for educators and co-ordinators.
2. We will ensure all volunteers and staff have a Working With Children Check and have at least 2 references (personal and or work) who are checked via phone. We will promote our code of conduct and the fact that our service is a Child Safe Service in all of our recruitment material.
Complaints
1. Children, staff, volunteers and families can raise complaints by approaching any manager within Autism Community Network who will then report the issue to the Child Safety Contact person, the manager or supervisor.
2. Managers can raise complaints by approaching the Nominated Supervisor and the Child Safety Officer or the President/chairman of Autism Community Network
3. Our service has a Child Safety Contact Person appointed to manage all complaints.
Communication
1. We will hold regular information sessions for volunteers and staff.
2. Our policy will be discussed during induction sessions for all new staff and volunteers
3. All new families will receive a copy of the Policy, Code of Conduct and Dealing with Complaints process.
Review
The policy and guidelines will be reviewed every two years and incorporate comments and suggestions from children, families, staff and volunteers.
–Updated October 2022