A Child Safety Code of Conduct can be a useful part of a creative organisation’s approach to child safety.  

The purpose of a Child Safety Code of Conduct is to clearly set out the expectations for all adults engaging with children and young people through the organisation. This includes expectations in relation to:

• expected behaviours including reporting
• inappropriate or prohibited behaviours.

An organisation with a Child Safety Code of Conduct can require adults who may engage with children and young people through the organisation to read and understand, sign and return the Code before engaging with any children. 

A Child Safety Code of Conduct can form part of a contract or agreement. If a worker doesn't meet their child safety obligations under the Code, having an agreed and signed Code can support disciplinary or dismissal processes or be dealt with as a breach of contract. 

Developing your Code of Conduct

A Child Safety Code of Conduct should contain the following elements: 

• A statement outlining the organisation’s commitment to child safety and child safe practices.
• A list of clear behavioural expectations, including both appropriate and inappropriate behaviours, when engaging with children and young people.
• Information about reporting, both internally (within the organisation) and externally (for example, to police when required).
• An agreement to abide by the Child Safety Code of Conduct and all relevant legislation.

Your organisation can create its own from scratch or use one of our templates:  

1. Customisable template — Organisations and businesses can use this to develop their own tailored, organisation-specific Child Safety Code of Conduct.
2. Standard template — This sets out common expectations and standards relevant to a broad range of creative workplaces.

For adults in your organisation who engage in higher risk activities, such travel, touring or event, you may decide to develop a more extensive Code of Conduct with additional items specific to the high risk activity.

Reviewing your Code of Conduct

We recommend that your organisation reviews its Child Safety Code of Conduct:

• each year, and
• before undertaking any higher risk activities, such travel, touring or event. 

Once reviewed: 

• If there are changes to your Code — you can ask any adults who may engage with children and young people to read, sign and return the updated version.
• If there are no changes — it's a good time to remind people about what's in the Code and the standards and behaviours they have committed to.