Update

At the Council meeting on Monday 28 August 2023, the Child Safe Code of Conduct – Council Officials and the Child Safe Code of Conduct – Service Users and Community were both adopted by Council. These documents will strengthen Council’s existing child safe framework through setting clear expectations for how adults are to engage with and behave around children.

The Child Safe Code of Conduct – Council Officials outlines the conduct obligations of all Council staff and Councillors in relation to children and young people, while outlining appropriate and inappropriate behaviours coupled with the consequences for engaging in inappropriate conduct.

 The Child Safe Code of Conduct – Service Users and Community is general in nature and provides basic conduct requirements of those accessing a Council facility or service. This document directs community members to the Child Protection Helpline and/or NSW Police for reporting child protection concerns. This document will be displayed in community facing locations including Council's customer service centres, early learning services, community centres, and libraries.

 Council appreciates the time that the community took to review these documents during the Public Exhibition period.

 Once finalised, the documents will be accessible on Council’s Codes, Policies and Registers webpage.

 Further feedback can be lodged by sending an email to mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au. 

Georges River Council recognises the rights of children and young people to feel safe when accessing Council services. Council is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes the safety of all children and young people. This includes encouraging a culture where the prevention and reporting of abuse is supported and encouraged.

Council has created two codes of conduct- Code of conduct for council officials and code of conduct for service users and community so that council may adhere to the principles of a child safe organisation. 

The Child Safe Code of Conduct – Council Officials sets expectations for how Council officials should behave around children and/or young people. Child abuse takes many forms and can include physical, sexual and psychological abuse, ill-treatment and neglect.

The service users and community code of conduct identifies positive child safe behaviours that all service providers are expected to adopt. It also identifies behaviours that are considered unacceptable. Engaging in unacceptable behaviour is a breach of the Code and may result in disciplinary action. 

How to be involved

The service users and community code of conduct identifies positive child safe behaviours that all service providers are expected to adopt. It also identifies behaviours that are considered unacceptable. Engaging in unacceptable behaviour is a breach of the Code and may result in disciplinary action. Community feedback is essential in helping guide us in our decision-making process. Your feedback will influence the choices we make when developing our plans and ensure we are on the right path to achieving and managing our community's overall vision. If you would like to provide feedback or comments on the Policy, we encourage you to:

	Complete our online feedback form. Use the links below to submit your online feedback, or
	Return a hard copy submission.

If you are returning a hard copy submission, please quote SF23/2639 Public Submission - Child Code of Conduct at the beginning of your submission and return:

	In person to Georges River Council Civic Centre or Libraries
	Via email: mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
	Via post: PO Box 205, Hurstville BC NSW 1481

Do you need assistance reading and accessing this page?

For a free interpreter call us via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the National Relay Service:

• Voice Relay number: 1300 555 727
• TTY number: 133 677