Having a Child-safe Child-friendly policy and a code of conduct shows staff, volunteers, kids, their families and the community that you are an organisation committed to being Child-safe Child-friendly. It also assists you in influencing the culture within your organisation.
Child-safe Child-friendly Policy
A Child-safe Child-friendly Policy guides you on the atmosphere, environment and attitudes conducive to enhancing the safety and participation of children and young people in your organisation. This policy should clearly articulate your commitment and approach towards fulfilling your responsibility to ensure a Child-safe Child-friendly environment.
The policy should be clear and well thought out, reflecting your organisations focus and activities, and increasing awareness about the importance of building Child-safe Child-friendly environments. The policy should also indicate how to include children and young people and ideas about how the policy will be communicated within your organisation.
Follow the link below to download the Child-Safe Child-Friendly Policy resource for help on how to develop and put a policy into practice.
Code of Conduct
A Code of Conduct is sometimes called a “Code of Behaviour”, and outlines the do’s and don’ts within your organisation so staff, volunteers and students work appropriately with children and young people. It clearly states what standard is expected, and establishes an expectation that anyone not behaving properly will not be tolerated in your organisation.
A Code of Conduct must address the specific activities and functions of your organisation, and respond to the risks you have identified. It removes uncertainty about what behaviour is acceptable for children and young people.
Involving everyone in the development of both your Policy and Code of Conduct means it will more likely be used, and everyone in the organisation will feel a sense of ownership. A widely promoted policy and Code of Conduct helps everyone to contribute to an organisation being Child-safe Child-friendly.
Follow the link below to download the Developing Codes of Conduct resource for help on developing a code of conduct for your organisation.
A similar code can be developed for kids and with them, to help them define their rights and responsibilities. Follow the link to download the Developing Codes of Conduct for kids, with kids resource.
