The University has a responsibility to both the children placed in its care and the families of those children to ensure that the children are protected while in care, from any type of abuse. Any person convicted of a serious sex offence will not be permitted to either work or seek work in a position within the University which primarily involves direct contact with children where that contact is unsupervised. These people are considered "prohibited persons" under New South Wales State legislation.

 

The University therefore, has a responsibility to ensure that it has effective and timely employee complaint management, investigation, disciplinary and reporting systems in relation to allegations of child abuse.

 

 

The legislation pertaining to the University's child protection policy is:

 

The University must obtain a declaration from all existing employees employed in positions that primarily involve direct contact with children where that contact is not directly supervised, as to whether they are a "prohibited person" as defined by the legislation. If they are identified as a "prohibited person" the University will take appropriate action to ensure that the employee does not remain in child related employment.

 

Recruitment of New Employees

 

1. The University will obtain a prohibited person declaration from any person engaged by the University in either a paid or unpaid position which primarily involves direct contact with children where that contact is unsupervised.

 

2. The University will undertake structured referee checks for all applicants considered for appointment to a position which primarily involves direct contact with children where that contact is unsupervised. It is recommended that references be obtained orally.

 

3. The University will check that people engaged in activities which primarily involves direct contact with children, where the contact is unsupervised, do not have:

Further, the University will undertake a probity check relating to previous employment.

 

4. Through the approved screening agency, the University will:

 

The University's disciplinary proceedings in relation to child abuse will include investigation of allegations which cover:
child abuse

Notification of Adverse Reports

The University will notify the Commission for Children and Young People of any:

Relevant disciplinary proceedings do not include those where there has been a finding that allegations were false, vexatious or misconceived.