Child safety code of conduct

Overview

A child safety code of conduct:

• lists acceptable and unacceptable behaviours
• identifies professional boundaries and ethical behaviour
• supports staff and volunteers to avoid or manage inappropriate behaviours and difficult situations

Your child safety code of conduct should set a high standard of behaviour to protect students from harm and abuse. It should:

• identify appropriate and inappropriate behaviours
• cover conduct in physical and online environments
• be developed in consultation with staff and the school community
• be easy to access and understand
• be covered in induction training for all staff and volunteers
• link to relevant child safety policies, for example your child safety and wellbeing policy
• link to relevant human resources and procurement processes

How to comply with Ministerial Order 1359

Ministerial Order 1359 provides the framework for child safety in schools. It requires all schools to have a child safety code of conduct that:

• promotes child safety and wellbeing in the school
• provides guidance for staff and volunteers on expected standards of behaviour
• considers the needs of all children and students
• is consistent with other codes of conduct and child safety and wellbeing strategies, policies and procedures.

The child safety code of conduct does not affect the responsibilities of staff or volunteers arising from any other code of conduct, such as:

• Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees
• Victorian Teaching Profession Code of Conduct.