Risk Management including Child Safety

1 Standard 6 Management including Child SafetyRISK Management FOR Child SAFESTANDARDInFaithCommunities,there aremanyactivitieswhich involve peoplefr om both thebodyand fromthewidercommunity. Therisk managementof these activitiestochildren and young people needto be a priority - from corporate worship, to outreach, to ministry activities. DefinitionsRiskA situation involvingexposureto dangerRisk AssessmentA systematicprocess of evaluating thepossiblerisks that may belinked to an activity ortask. Risk ManagementThe risk assessment along withthedocumentationof proceduresto avoid orminimisetheimpactof therisk. PrinciplesandguidelinesThe followingprinciplesoutline the elements ofrisk Management according to the Australian Standard ofRisk Management (Australian Government 2010).

2 Identify RisksIdentify where, when, why and how events could prevent, delay or degrade the main outcome of t he event, activityor risks Determine the likelihoodof the risks to occur and thepotential consequences related tothe risks and how these could risks Compare the level of risk against thepotential adverse outcomes so thatdecisions canbemade on how tomanage the risks Develop and implement strategies and action plans which are cost effective and beneficialto all andReview risks Monitorthe effectiveness of the processes put in place. Provide feedback forimprovement,considering on any follow uprequired from NEW ACTIVITIESWITHINFAITH COMMUNITIES SHOULDBESUBJECT TO A FORMALRISK ASSESSMENT PRIORTO RISK ASSESSMENTSSHOULD BE UPDATED ONA REGULAR THAT ITBE TO UPDATEDANNUALLY AND WHENEVERTHERE IS A CHANGE OFPROGRAM ANDLEADERSHIPS tandard 6 Risk Management -ChildSafety RisksTypesofChildSafety RisksPotential childsafety risks could occur within your programs, events and services.

3 Poor physical environment leading to injury Poor supervision High-risk activityAccidental Harm Physical punishment Pushing, shoving Punching, slapping, biting, kickingPhysical Abuse Bullying Threatening language Shaming Intentional ignoring and isolating Spiritualabuse(see below)Psychological / emotional Abuse Lack of supervision Not providing adequate nourishment Not providing adequate clothing or shelter Not meeting the specific physical or cognitive needsof childrenNeglect Sexual abuse, assault and exploitation Grooming Inappropriate touching Inappropriate conversations of a sexual nature Crossing professional boundariesSexual Abuse Lack of cultural respect.

4 Racial or cultural vilification ordiscrimination Lack of support to enable a Child to be awareof andexpress their cultural identity Use of positional powerand control and usingprayer/scripture asa means of manipluationCultural/Spiritual Abuse Abusivetexts and emails Hurtful messages, images or videos Intimidated others online Grooming -Sending achild offensive, confronting orobscene content(or asking forinappropriate photos) Singling achild out fora special Abuse Standard 6 Management Safety RisksAreas of riskConsiderations of Safety risks within various procedural processes and physical Safety and what should be in place to control/minimise these Recruitment and Management of leaders Reference checks WWCC Interview/Inductions Probation period LeadershipApplication Adequate ratios Child Safety Training Refresher Training Child Protection/ChildSafe Policy Code of ConductsignedConsent / Permission Relevant consentforms completed by aparent/guardian Video/photographyconsent form beengiven Emergency contactsmade available

5 Tocore leaders Dietary requirementsand allergies notedSafeenvironment First Aid kit Appointed firstaidofficers Risk Assessmentcompleted Identified Risksmanaged Record keeping/privacy policiesTransportation of Children and Young people Permission given orprivate arrangementsmade withparent/guardian Ensure no leader isleft alone with a childor young person Road Safety rules andprovisional licenseholders restrictionsElectronic communications to children and young people ElectronicCommunications /Social Media policies Social Mediaguidelines Privacy Confidentialitypolicies Code of ConductResponding to abuse disclosures / allegations of misconduct Child Safety Training Refresher Training Child Protection/ChildSafe Policy Responding todisclosures guidelines Identified Risksmanaged Recordkeeping/privacypo lic ies Risk Assessmentcompleted Code of Conduct Misconduct policies Complaints andgrievance proceduresStandard 6 RiskAssessment ToolforChildSafetyUsingthe risk assessment matrix andthe category of r isk descriptions below there are a number of potential risk factors presented in aFaith Community R isk Assessment MatrixCategory of RiskDescriptionGroomingPhysical or psychological actions which involve manipulative

6 Cultivation of relationships with children, young people and vulnerable adults. Also referred to as coercion . Grooming is a form or sexual , emotional, spiritual Safety ; being protected from danger, risk, or form of physical contactPrivacyReferring to privacy and confidentiality legislation, people s right to privacy is to be protected, and information to be keptconfidential. DisclosureWhen someone informs another about an experience of abuse or risk of harm. This could be a direct or indirect 1 Category of risk description examples Standard 6 exampleis given toassist faith communities to develop theirrisk managementplan to uphold Child Safety risk Management strategies identifying RiskRisk AssessmentCategoryDescriptionLikelihoodC onsequenceRisk LevelManagement (for LOW RISK)

7 LeadershipLack of orminimalawareness andcommitmentforaChildSafeorganisationPo ssibleCatastrophicExtreme-Code of Conduct- Child Protection Policies-Strategies to addressorganisational culture ofchild Safety -CommitmentStatementto Child Safety -Ongoing agenda itemwithinleadershipReportable conductMisconduct unreported and failure to address behaviour surrounding misconductUnlikely CatastrophicHigh-Training for all staff,volunteers, leaders proceduresin place-Code of Conduct andChild Protection policies-Procedures andprotocols responding tomisconductRecruitmentSelection of inappropriate personnel Lack of proper screening processes and reference checkingPossibleMajorHigh-Reference Checking-Pre-screeninginterviews-Crimina l History checks-Working with childrenchecks-Probation periodGroomingEngagement with children onlineBreaching appropriate conduct in person with a Child /childrenPossibleModerateHigh-Code ofConduct-Training for all staff,volunteers.

8 Leaders privacysettings on social mediaand devices used byorganisation-Regular monitoring ofany Social Media sitesused for ministry tochildren by an appointedpersonPrivacyUse of images or video of children and young people without parental consent PossibleMinorMedium-Code ofConduct-Training for all staff,volunteers, leaders release forms(permission)-Photo and videopolicies