1. Purpose

At Among The Trees (ATT) we are committed to providing an environment that is safe for children and young people and to ensuring this is reflected in all aspects of our business operations.

The purpose of this policy is to:

1. Minimise the risk of harm to children at ATT

2. Prevent child abuse within ATT

3. Clearly demonstrate ATT’s commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. 

4. Inform all leaders, staff and volunteers of their obligations to act ethically towards children and their roles and responsibilities in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children.  

5. Direct staff on how to act when a potential breach of this policy is suspected or identified.

6. To foster and promote an organisational culture of child safety.

7. Give guidance on the processes and procedures that aim to ensure children’s safety and wellbeing across all areas of ATT’s work.

2. Principle underpinning the policy - NSW Child Safe Standards

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommended 10 Child Safe Standards, drawing on its findings, research and consultation about what makes organisations child safe.

The Standards provide tangible guidance for organisations to drive a child safe culture, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children first, to keep them safe from harm. These are the principles underpinning this policy.

1. Child safety is embedded in the organisational leadership, governance and culture

2. Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously

3. Families and communities are informed and involved

4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs are taken into account

5. People working with children are suitable and supported

6. Processes to respond to complaints of child abuse (and other concerns) are child focused

7. Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe, through continual education and training.

8. Physical or online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse or other kinds of harm to occur

9. Implementation of child safe standards is continuously reviewed and improved

10. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is child safe

3. Scope and audience

This policy applies to all people carrying out work (paid or unpaid) for Among the Trees who, in the course of their work, will have contact with children.  This includes:

• Board members

• People in leadership and management roles

• Workshop facilitators

• External Contractors

• Staff members

• Volunteers

It is the responsibility of all staff at ATT to minimise the risk of children under their care from external suppliers and/or members of the public who may have interactions with said children and that are not covered under the scope of this policy.

The focus of this policy will be the educational workshops accessible to children and young people at Among the Trees but will  apply to any and all activities that relate to children within the scope of our business.

This policy does not cover general Work, Health and Safety related incidents which are covered by ATT’s Risk Management and WHS policy

4. Responsibilities

4.1 All staff 

It is the responsibility of all staff to:

1. Familiarise themselves with ATT ’s policy and procedures in relation to child protection, and comply with all requirements;

2. Report to management any gaps or omissions in existing child safe policy, separate to regular review activity

3. Read, understand, sign and comply with ATT’s Child Safe Code of Conduct Policy

4. Provide an environment that is supportive of all children’s emotional and

physical safety.

1. Assess the risk of harm to children within their area of control and eradicate or

minimise any risk to the extent possible;

1. Report any suspicion that a child’s safety may be at risk, inappropriate behaviour or abusive activities to the Managing Director or Child Safety Officer or if the Managing Director or Child Safety Officer is involved in the suspicion, to the Chair of the Board

4.2 People in leadership and management roles

A Child Safe officer will be appointed to oversee the implementation of the child safe policy. The child safe officer will work alongside the managing director to:

1. Deal with and investigate any suspicions raised regarding the safety of children;

2. Ensure the guidelines of this policy are understood and observed by all individuals carrying out work for Among the Trees;

3. Provide information and support for employees, volunteers and contractors in undertaking their child protection responsibilities.

4. ensure that all adults within the ATT community are aware of their

obligation to report suspected sexual abuse of a child or any unsafe pratices.

4.2 Board Members

It is the responsibility of the board to:

1. Put in place a Child Safe policy and work with management  to implement, review and continually improve this policy.

2. Deal with and investigate any suspicions raised regarding the safety of children when the child safety officer and/or the general manager are involved in the suspicion.

5. Statement of Commitment to child safety

5.1 Reduced Statement 

Among the Trees  is committed to child safety and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We care deeply about the children’s well-being and are committed to acting in their best interest at all times. 

Our Child Safe policy is based on the principles of  the Child Safe Standards from the Office on the Children’s Guardian at this link: https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/. Our full Statement of Commitment to Child Safety is available below. Any questions or suggestions regarding our Child Safe policy and practices are welcome at talk@amongthetrees.com

5.2 Full Statement  

Among the Trees  is committed to child safety and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We care deeply about the children’s well-being and are committed to acting in their best interest at all times. 

To enhance child wellbeing and safety within the organisation, ATT commits to:

1. preventing child harm by incorporating proactive strategies, policies and procedures that assist in identifying, removing or minimising risks wherever possible; 

2. informing children, young people, community members and colleagues/stakeholders regarding their rights, acceptable behaviour and appropriate practices. Including providing information of where and how to seek help if concerns arise regarding a child or young person’s physical, emotional or online safety; 

3. taking all allegations or safety concerns seriously and investigating in accordance with policies and procedures;

4. adhering to legal and organisational obligations to contact authorities when there are concerns about a child’s safety;

5. applying comprehensive people management processes and recruitment practices for all ATT representatives;

6. providing an inclusive environment that promotes equality and diversity, and does not discriminate based on culture, values, beliefs, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, background or disability; See antidiscrimination policy

7.  providing high quality programs for children and young people that are safe and welcoming;

8. regularly reviewing and improving practices and processes to ensure they effectively meet the safety and wellbeing needs of children and young people; 

9. seeking and acting on advice and guidance from children/young people, community and colleagues/stakeholders to maintain these standards. 

Our Child Safe policy is based on the principles of  the Child Safe Standards from the Office on the Children’s Guardian https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/ and is available here. Any questions or suggestions regarding our Child Safe policy and practices are welcome at talk@amongthetrees.com

6. Content

6.1 Supervision of Children

1. Facilitators are to avoid being alone with children 

2. Children are not to be left alone with another course participant.

3. Where possible workshops at ATT will be held with 2 facilitators or, if the class only has one facilitator, will be held on days when the shop is open and another staff member is on site.

4. Children are not to be left unsupervised in the workshop space. 

5. Children under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by an adult either taking part in the course or there merely to assist and/or supervise (the child).

6. Contact details of the guardian of any child attending an ATT course must be obtained before or as part of the purchase information of any courses. Facilitators will be given a class roll with all students details including guardian details. Guardians will need to be contacted if a child (16-17) does not arrive as planned

7. For evening classes (that only generally only run with one facilitator) and classes on Sunday (when there is no additional staff member present and that do not get the required numbers to run with two facilitators) special care needs to be taken to ensure that the chances of a facilitator and a child being alone and unobserved are reduced as much as is reasonably possible.

1. If a child arrives early to a workshop they may enter the building but will be directed to stay in the workshop so as to remain in view of ATT’s CCTV cameras

2. If a child arrives first a facilitator must wait until at least two other participants have arrived before leaving the workshop ie. to go to the bathroom or collect materials for the course

3. Facilitators are to arrive on time to ensure that everything they need for their course is in the workshop and they are not required to leave once participants begin to arrive

4. If a child needs to go to the toilet they can do so but the facilitator must remain in the view of the workshop’s CCTV camera

5. If an incident occurs where a child is in need of assistance in one of the CCTV blind spots eg. library and there are no other adults around a facilitator is permitted to assist the child to ensure their safety and well being

6. For Sunday courses with 1 facilitator, the facilitator may be required to bring their lunch, or have it delivered, so that they can remain at the workshop to avoid a child being left alone or alone with another class participant. It is not good enough to ask everyone to leave as this may not be feasible due to circumstances such as bad weather.

7. Children may remain in the workshop to have their lunch but must stay in the view of the CCTV camera ie. not in the library, with a facilitator present and in view of the CCTV also. Children 16-17, and unaccompanied by an adult, may leave the building to get lunch.

8. Children 16-17 may not be allowed to come early to classes (ie. 6 week classes) to catch up on work unless accompanied by an adult.

8. For Picture Framing classes held on Sunday with only one facilitator a second facilitator will need to come in for a shorter 3 hour shift to sand the Picture Frames so that the lead facilitator can be present in the workshop. The rest of the 3 hours will be filled with additional task in the shop ie. denailing.

9. Adult participants will be notified when booking a course with ATT that children from 13 years are able to attend and that they are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and appropriate manner when in the presence of children as well as other adults. Any inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and participants doing so may be required to leave.

10. Any children attending ATT courses are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and appropriate manner to other child participants. Any inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and participants doing so may be required to leave.

6.2 Pick-ups and Drop-offs

1. Students of 16 years and older can arrive and leave ATT without being accompanied by an adult.

2. If a child under 16 years old is dropped at ATT without communication with their guardians, they are to remain in the workshop in view of the CCTV camera and staff are to try and contact their guardians as soon as possible to pick them up or join them.

6.3 Children in the Workshop (risk management for facilitators)

ATT will ensure that child safety is part of its overall risk management approach with potential hazards being identified and either eliminated or minimised through WHS & Risk Management Register. However, due to the duty of care staff at ATT will have over children attending courses they have a special responsibility to ensure their safety. The following are specific strategies to be implemented to minimise harm to children. For our policy regarding risk management in regards to abuse and neglect see Child Safe Risk Management Policy.

1. Inductions on the correct and safe use of tools must be given before the first use of any tool. Safe Operating Procedures (SOP) will be available with lesson plans to outline correct instruction of tool use.

2. Correct PPE must be worn when required (see tool SOP)

3. No running in the workshop. When in the workshop, whether carrying a tool or not, students must be directed to walk and be mindful of other students working around them.

4. Continued supervision of children is required to ensure they are using tools safely and additional guidance is to be given where necessary

5. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult to help supervise the correct and safe use of tools (this age will be subject to review once ATT and its facilitators have more experience teaching children).

6. Children aged 6-12 will only be able to attend specific courses designed for these groups and must be accompanied by an adult.

7. Higher Risk Tools (HRT), such as those with sharp blades, will be kept out of the general reach of children and when possible kept in lockable cabinets. These tools include but are not limited to:

1. chisels, 

2. planes, 

3. knives and 

4. hatchets 

It is important to note that the most accident prone tool in any workshop, including power and machine tools, is the chisel and particular care must be taken when instructing students on its proper use.

1. HRT must be given to students by the course facilitator. Students (children or otherwise) may not get HRT themselves until they have the ok of the facilitator.

2. Before receiving HRT course participants must:

1. Recite the safety mantra of specific tool located on the tools safe operating procedure (SOP) eg. for chisels:

1. Always have both hands behind the cutting edge

2. Always put the cover of the cutting edge when not in use

3. Carry like a candle when moving around the workshop, never have the cutting edge directed in front of or towards oneself.

4. Always be mindful of where the cutting edge is when holding the chisel (often accidents occur when the hand not holding the chisel comes into contact with the cutting edge absentmindedly) etc.

2. Inform the facilitator of the intended use of the tool to check that the tool is not intended for misuse.

3. Children are not to have access to hazardous chemicals. Chemical locker is to be locked when not in use. See workshop manager for access to keys. Children will be able to use more benign materials such as wood glue and oils but will be provided with appropriate PPE when required as per the MSDS and be instructed on their potential hazards and correct use.

4. If a child is not using the tools in a safe manner as instructed they and their guardian will be asked to leave. Children and guardian will be notified of this condition before purchasing a course

7. Related documents (if not fully covered in the policy)

• Child safe Code of Conduct

• Child Safe Complaints management and Reporting Policy

• Child Safe Risk Management Plan (CSRMP)

• Child Safe Recruitment Policy 

8. Definitions

Child means a person below the age of 18 years unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.

Child protection means any responsibility, measure or activity undertaken to safeguard children from harm.

Child abuse means all forms of physical abuse, emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse and exploitation, neglect or negligent treatment, commercial (e.g. for financial gain) or other exploitation of a child and includes any actions that results in actual or potential harm to a child. 

Child sexual assault is any act which exposes a child to or involves a child in, sexual processes beyond his or her understanding or contrary to accepted community standards. Sexually abusive behaviours can include the fondling of genitals, masturbation, oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration by a penis, finger or any other object, fondling of breasts, voyeurism, exhibitionism, and exposing the child to or involving the child in pornography. It includes child grooming, which refers to actions deliberately undertaken with the aim of befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child to lower the child’s inhibitions in preparation for sexual activity with the child. 

Reasonable grounds for belief is a belief based on reasonable grounds (see below) that child abuse has occurred when all known considerations or facts relevant to the formation of a belief are taken into account and these are objectively assessed. Circumstances or considerations may include the source of the allegation and how it was communicated, the nature of and details of the allegation, and whether there are any other related matters known regarding the alleged perpetrator. 

A reasonable belief is formed if a reasonable person believes that:

1. the child is in need of protection, 

2. the child has suffered or is likely to suffer “significant harm as a result of physical injury,” or 

3. the parents are unable or unwilling to protect the child.

A ‘reasonable belief’ or a ‘belief on reasonable grounds’ is not the same as having proof but is more than mere rumours or speculation.

A ‘reasonable belief’ is formed if a reasonable person in the same position would have formed the belief on the same grounds. For example, a ‘reasonable belief’ might be formed if: 

1. a child states that they have been physically or sexually abused;

2. a child states that they know someone who has been physically or sexually abused (sometimes the child may be talking about themselves);

3. someone who knows a child states that the child has been physically or sexually abused;

4. professional observations of the child’s behaviour or development leads a professional to form a belief that the child has been physically or sexually abused or is likely to be abused; and/or

5. signs of abuse lead to a belief that the child has been physically or sexually abused.