(Last Revised: 9 July 2025)
1. Purpose
C4 is committed to providing safe, respectful, and inclusive experiences for children participating in our educational programs. This policy outlines how we manage child safety during on-site and off-site activities with school groups.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all C4 volunteers, committee members, contractors, and school visitors involved in programs where children (under 18) are present.
3. Guiding Principles
- C4 prioritises the safety and wellbeing of children;
- All children have the right to feel safe, be treated with respect, and be protected from harm;
- We work in close partnership with schools, who hold the duty of care for their students while attending C4 programs.
4. Key Safety Measures
4.1 Pre-Activity Briefings
- All students and their supervisors receive a safety and activity briefing before commencing any C4-led program;
- The briefing includes appropriate behaviour, environmental hazards, and emergency procedures.
4.2 Appropriate Supervision
- Teachers and school-appointed staff are responsible for supervising students at all times;
- C4 staff and volunteers do not provide sole supervision of students;
- A C4 education manager leads the activity in partnership with school personnel.
4.3 Equipment and Risk Management
- Students do not handle hazardous tools or equipment;
- All activities are low-risk and age-appropriate (e.g. tree planting, hand weeding, nature observation, and data collection);
- Protective clothing and personal safety gear (e.g. gloves, closed shoes, hats, sunscreen) must be worn by students as advised prior to the activity.
4.4 Environmental Awareness
- Students are made aware of local environmental risks, including:
- Dangerous animals (e.g. cassowaries, crocodiles, wild pigs, jellyfish, snakes)
- Natural hazards (e.g. bites and stings, sharp plants, trip hazards, legionella bacteria in potting mix, melioidosis bacteria in soil, water and air)
- Teachers and C4 staff ensure that children remain in designated safe areas and behave appropriately in natural environments.
5. Working with Children Checks (Blue Cards)
- C4 maintains a Blue Card Register for volunteers responsible for delivering education programs to children;
- The Education Manager holds an active Blue Card and is responsible for oversight of child safety during school engagements;
- C4 does not require all volunteers or members to hold a Blue Card unless they are directly and regularly involved with child-related activities.
6. Behaviour Expectations
- All C4 volunteers must behave respectfully and professionally when interacting with children;
- No physical discipline, inappropriate language, or one-on-one unsupervised interactions are permitted;
- Any concerns about child safety must be raised with the Education Manager immediately and, if necessary, with the school’s child safety officer.
7. Reporting and Concerns
- C4 follows the guidance of the school for any incidents or concerns relating to student behaviour or safety;
- If a child is injured or distressed, C4 staff will inform school staff immediately and support any required action or incident documentation.
8. Review and Improvement
This policy will be reviewed annually or after any incident that raises a concern about child safety. The Education Manager is responsible for ensuring compliance and continuous improvement of child safety practices.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Policy, please contact us at:
Email: hello@cassowaryconservation.org
Address: 55A Porter Promenade, Mission Beach, QLD 4852