Professional Code of Conduct

1. Overview

1.1. Purpose

The Professional Code of Conduct outlines the rules and standards of behaviour that all employees of Junior Adventures Group (JAG) must uphold. Our employees are ambassadors of our organisation and our brands, so the way in which we conduct ourselves reflects significantly on our ability to become an employer of choice and keep our teams performing, engaged and satisfied, as well as ensuring we offer our families and children the highest quality programs and services.

Our Employee Conduct Policy has been designed to clearly outline the broad behaviours and approach we expect from all.

1.2. Scope

All JAG People are required to comply with the provisions set out in this policy, their contract of employment and all other relevant policies, procedures and legislation.

1.3. Legislative Requirements

Under the Education and Care Services National Regulations, JAG is required to have policies and procedures in place to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of the children in care.

2. Policy Statement

The Professional Code of Conduct identifies core principles that underpin a commitment to respect and support the rights and dignity of children, families, colleagues and communities.

3. Principles

3.1. Professional Accountability

Childhood professionals are in a unique position of trust and influence with children, families, colleagues and the community. Therefore, professional accountability is essential. All staff will adhere to the law and act ethically and professionally at all times.

3.2. Mutual Respect, Equity and Fairness

Professionalism is demonstrated by applying the principles of mutual respect, equity and fairness while working with all key internal and external stakeholders. Team collaboration is expected to deliver the best experience for children.

3.3. Staff Practices and Behaviour

Staff practices and behaviour will reflect the JAG values and philosophy, as well as the principles and practices outlined in My Time, Our Place: Framework for School Aged Care in Australia, the Early Childhood Australia (ECA) Code of Ethics and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), applying them as an individual and encouraging their team to reflect on practice regularly.

This includes the recognition that:

each child is different and has unique interests, experiences and strengths

• each child has civil, cultural, linguistic, social and economic rights

• each child has access to fair and inclusive practices that promote equity and a strong sense of belonging

• wellbeing, learning and development are intrinsically linked to leisure and play.

In addition:

• learning and teaching are based on specialised knowledge and multiple perspectives

• partnership with families and the community plays a vital role in supporting children’s learning

• quality education and care are evidence-based and in line with contemporary practice

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have been nurturing and teaching children on this land for thousands of years; the ECA Code of Ethics (2016) recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ traditional ways of being and caring for children.

3.4. Expected Employee Conduct

To help clarify the type of behaviour, attitude and approach we expect from all, please see the key examples below, which are included in our Employee Code Policy:

• ensure children are effectively cared for, supervised, developed and protected at all times through compliance with our policies, procedures and agreed practices

• conduct and present ourselves in a professional, ethical and appropriate way at all times

• engage only in relationships that are professional and appropriate

• ensure confidentiality and sensitivity when dealing with information and situations

• update knowledge skills and practices in line with current professional standards

• support colleagues to be effective in achieving goals, objectives and targets

• be a suitable and fit person to undertake work with children

• behave in line with our values and philosophies, and strive to provide a quality service at all times

• ensure we act in line with our Equality and Diversity Policy and do not involve ourselves in any acts of discrimination, victimisation, bullying or harassment towards others.

3.5. Changes in Practice and Policy

Staff will adhere to organisational policies and procedures relating to providing education and care for children at all times. Staff must keep up to date with changes in practice and policy within JAG and regularly update their skills and knowledge in line with the current professional standards. The company reserves the right to change and update this policy or the Employee Conduct Policy at any time. Any changes will be communicated either directly to individuals concerned or by updating and publishing the policy on any intranet or other means by which policies and procedures are accessible throughout the company.

3.6. Contemporary Practice

Staff will keep themselves up to date with contemporary practice, which includes utilising tools and resources that support approaches that provide methodical decision-making, review and continuous improvement to achieve the best outcomes for children.

3.7. Unresolved Issues

Staff will raise issues or concerns that arise during their work with the relevant person in the first instance. Staff will refer unresolved matters to the Service Leader or Management. To ensure professionalism and quick resolution of issues, staff will not discuss matters with anybody other than those directly involved to seek a solution.

In the event that an employee involves themselves in conduct believed to be outside our Employee Conduct Policy, their behaviour or actions will be reviewed in line with our Management For Performance Policy and Procedures.

3.8. Relationships with Stakeholders

As part of the staff employment agreement, staff will maintain clear, appropriate and professional relationships with all stakeholders at all times, ensuring that there are no potential or perceived inequities in relationships with families, children or staff at the Service.

3.9. Conflicts of Interest

All staff must complete the Safeguarding children and young people declaration and disclose all potential or perceived conflicts as a matter of priority. If staff are unsure whether a situation that arises is a conflict of interest, they must proactively speak to their manager and seek guidance.

Members of senior management will sign a conflict of interest declaration each year and when their situation changes.

3.10. Breaches of Professional Conduct

Management will assess any breaches of professional conduct based on the evidence and determine any recourse to be exercised as per company policies and procedures.

3.11. Child Safety

Policies and practices reflect the relevant legislation, including the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

4. Key Terms

ECA Code of Ethics:

• The Early Childhood Australia (ECA) Code of Ethics is a set of statements that set out core principles and considerations to assure ethical conduct in service delivery

My Time, Our Place:

• Framework for school-age care in Australia that sets out core principles and practice outcomes to assure good practice outcomes in service delivery

Service Leader:

• Anyone who oversees the Service in one of the following roles:

  1. The Approved Provider; if the approved provider is an individual, in other cases, a person with management or control of the Service

  2. The Nominated Supervisor of the Service

  3. A Responsible Person who has been placed in day-to-day charge of the Service in the absence of the Nominated Supervisor.

UNCRC:

• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which sets out the basic rights of all children

5. References

Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations

Children Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010

Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics (2016)

Educational and Care Services National Regulations

National Quality Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care and School Care

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Other Relevant Legislation

Regulation 82 – Tobacco, drug and alcohol-free environment

Regulation 83 – Staff members and family day care educators not to be affected by alcohol or drugs

Regulation 151 – Record of educators working directly with children

Regulation 155 – Interactions with children

Regulation 156 – Relationships in groups

Regulation 168 – Education and care service must have policies and procedures

Regulation 170 – Policies and procedures to be followed

Regulation 171– Policies and procedures to be kept available

Regulation 172 – Notification of change to policies or procedures Related Policies

HR Policies, including onboarding, orientation, induction Related Procedures Procedure Collections Other Quality Area 4, 5 & 7: Standards 4.2, 5.1, 7.1, 7.2 OCG Guide to Child Safe Standards - https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-scheme CCYP Child safe Standards - https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/ National Principles for Child Safe Organisations - https://childsafe.humanrights.gov.au/national-principles

Version 3.0 Change History

Change Register Date Approved 01/07/2023 Date Implemented

01/07/2023 Document Owner CEO Document Approvers

Approved Provider/GM PCP Next Review 12 months