Child Safety Policy

1. Our Commitment to Child Safety

Rotation Learning is committed to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of every child who participates in our program. We believe all children have the right to feel safe, respected and supported, and that protecting children from harm is the responsibility of every person involved in our organisation.

This policy applies to all Rotation Learning staff, contractors, volunteers, program delivery partners and any other individual who interacts with children through our programs. It reflects our obligations under the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 (WA), the Children and Community Services Act 2004 (WA), and the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (2019).

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All paid employees of Rotation Learning
• Contractors and program delivery partners engaged by Rotation Learning
• Volunteers and student placement participants
• Senior school students participating in service-learning activities under Rotation Learning supervision

It applies across all Rotation Learning programs, venues, and any other settings in which our staff interact with children on behalf of the organisation.

3. Working With Children Check (WWCC)

Rotation Learning requires all staff, contractors, and volunteers who work or volunteer in child-related work to hold a current and valid Working With Children (WWC) Check issued under the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 (WA) prior to commencing any role that involves contact with children.

Rotation Learning will:

• Verify the currency and validity of each WWC Check before engagement commences
• Maintain records of WWC Check details for all relevant personnel
• Conduct re-verification of WWC Checks periodically and upon renewal
• Not permit any individual whose WWC Check has expired, been suspended or been refused to work or volunteer with children

It is the responsibility of each individual to ensure their WWC Check remains current at all times. Any change in WWC Check status must be reported to Rotation Learning immediately.

4. Child Safe Culture

Rotation Learning is committed to building and maintaining a child safe culture across the organisation. This means:

• Children's safety and wellbeing are embedded in all aspects of our program design and delivery
• Children are listened to, their views are respected, and they are encouraged to speak up if they feel unsafe
• Parents and guardians are treated as partners in child safety
• All personnel understand their child safety responsibilities
• Concerns about child safety are taken seriously, responded to promptly and recorded appropriately

5. Code of Conduct

All Rotation Learning personnel are expected to:

• Treat all children with dignity, respect and fairness at all times
• Maintain appropriate physical and emotional boundaries with children
• Avoid being alone with a child in an unsupervised or unobserved setting
• Not engage in any form of physical contact with a child beyond what is required for the safe delivery of program activities (e.g. first aid)
• Not use language or behaviour that is demeaning, threatening, discriminatory or inappropriate toward any child
• Not share personal contact details (phone, email, social media) directly with child participants
• Not photograph or record children except in accordance with Rotation Learning's media and photography guidelines and with appropriate consents in place
• Report any concerns about child safety or wellbeing immediately, in accordance with Section 6 of this policy

Breaches of this code of conduct will be taken seriously and may result in disciplinary action, including termination of engagement and referral to relevant authorities.

6. Recognising and Responding to Concerns

All Rotation Learning personnel have a responsibility to act if they witness, suspect or receive a disclosure of harm or risk of harm to a child. This includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and exposure to family violence.

If a child makes a disclosure:

• Listen calmly and without judgement
• Do not promise confidentiality
• Do not pressure the child for details or ask leading questions
• Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by telling you
• Report immediately to the Program Coordinator or responsible person on site

If you observe or suspect harm:

• Do not investigate the matter yourself
• Report your concern to the Program Coordinator immediately
• Document what you observed, using the child's own words where applicable

Where there is an immediate risk to a child's safety, contact emergency services (000) without delay.

7. Mandatory Reporting

Under the Children and Community Services Act 2004 (WA), certain categories of person — including teachers and other prescribed professionals — are mandatory reporters and are legally required to report a reasonable belief that a child has experienced, or is at risk of experiencing, abuse or neglect.

Where any Rotation Learning personnel hold a mandatory reporting obligation, they must report their concerns to the Department of Communities (Child Protection and Family Support) in accordance with that obligation. This requirement exists independently of any internal reporting process and takes precedence over it.

To report a child protection concern to the Department of Communities:

• Phone: 1800 273 889 (24-hour Child Protection Helpline)
• Website: www.wa.gov.au/service/community-services/crisis-and-emergency-support/report-child-abuse

8. Reporting Child Safety Concerns Within Rotation Learning

All child safety concerns — whether relating to a child participant, a staff member, a volunteer or any other person — must be reported to the Program Coordinator or a senior Rotation Learning representative as soon as practicable.

Reports may be made to:

Rotation Learning — Child Safety Contact
Email: info@rotationlearning.com.au

All reports will be taken seriously, treated with confidentiality to the extent possible and responded to promptly. Records of all reports and actions taken will be maintained securely.

Any allegation of abuse or inappropriate conduct involving a Rotation Learning staff member or volunteer will be reported to the relevant authorities and the individual will be stood down from child-related duties pending investigation.

9. Risk Management

Rotation Learning takes a proactive approach to identifying and managing risks to child safety. This includes:

• Conducting risk assessments for all program venues and activities prior to delivery
• Ensuring adequate staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times
• Conducting induction and training for all personnel on child safety expectations before they commence work in a program
• Reviewing and updating risk assessments and safety procedures regularly
• Maintaining records of incidents, near-misses, and complaints and using these to improve our practices

10. Recruitment and Screening

Child safety begins at the point of recruitment. Rotation Learning's recruitment processes include:

• Verification of a current and valid WWC Check for all applicants prior to commencement
• Reference checks with a focus on conduct with children
• Clear communication of child safety expectations during induction
• Ongoing supervision and performance feedback that includes child safety conduct

Rotation Learning reserves the right to decline or terminate an engagement where child safety concerns arise at any stage of the recruitment or employment process.

11. Training and Awareness

All Rotation Learning personnel will receive child safety induction training before commencing work in a program. This training covers:

• The content of this Child Safety Policy and the Code of Conduct
• How to recognise indicators of abuse or harm
• How to respond to disclosures and report concerns
• Appropriate and inappropriate physical contact and communication with children
• Expectations regarding photography, social media and electronic communication

Refresher training will be provided as required, and updated training will be delivered whenever this policy is revised.

12. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if required by changes to legislation, regulatory guidance or organisational circumstances. The most recent version of this policy will always be published on our website.

Next review date: 8 May 2027

13. Related Documents

• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions
• WWC Check Verification Procedure
• Incident and Disclosure Reporting Procedure
• Staff Code of Conduct

14. Contact Us

For questions about this policy or to raise a child safety concern, please contact:

Rotation Learning
Email: info@rotationlearning.com.au