1. Introduction and Purpose
The Hunter Regional Conservatorium (HRC) is dedicated to the emotional, physical, and musical well-being of every child in our care. This policy outlines our responsibilities and the processes we follow to maintain a child-safe environment. This policy aligns with the NSW Child Safe Standards, the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998, and the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all HRC personnel, including:
Permanent and casual teaching staff.
Administrative and auxiliary staff.
Volunteers and Management Committee members.
Contractors and visiting artists.
3. Our Child Safe Policies
HRC is a child-safe organisation. We believe that:
The safety and well-being of students is our primary concern.
All children have the right to be protected from neglect and from sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.
Families and students are encouraged to raise issues or provide feedback directly to our leadership team.
4. Recruitment and WWCC Requirements
To ensure only suitable people work with our students, HRC mandates:
Mandatory WWCC: All personnel must provide a valid NSW Working with Children Check number prior to starting work.
Verification: HRC will verify all WWCC numbers through the Office of the Children’s Guardian.
Training: Child Protection training is a mandatory part of staff induction and is updated annually.
5. Mandatory Reporting and Conduct
Mandatory Reporters: All HRC employees are mandatory reporters. Under Section 27 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998, staff must report to the Child Protection Helpline (132 111) if they have reasonable grounds to suspect a child is at risk of significant harm.
Reportable Conduct: HRC takes all allegations seriously, including sexual misconduct, physical assault, ill-treatment, or psychological harm. Any such behaviour will result in immediate internal investigation and reporting to the relevant authorities, including the NSW Ombudsman where applicable.
6. Procedures for Reporting
If a staff member, student, or parent has a concern:
Inform the Director: Immediately report the concern to the HRC Director.
Gather Information: Document the concern using the student's or reporter's own words. Do not “investigate” or probe the student for further details.
Notification: The Director will notify the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) or the Police as required by law.
Confidentiality: The identity of the reporter is protected by law and will be kept strictly confidential.
7. Management of Allegations
If an allegation is made against an HRC staff member:
The staff member may be suspended (with or without pay, depending on employment status) while an investigation is conducted.
HRC will cooperate fully with the Police and the Office of the Children’s Guardian.
Disciplinary action, up to and including termination of contract, will be taken if allegations are substantiated.
8. Review
This policy is reviewed annually to ensure it remains compliant with NSW legislation and best practice in child safety.
Last Updated: February 2026
Approved by: HRC Management Committee