Safety of Children and Vulnerable People Policy

1. The purpose of our policy

The Safety of Children and Vulnerable People Policy affirms Adelaide University’s commitment to providing safe, inclusive, and empowering environments where children and vulnerable people can thrive. It supports our obligations under relevant legislation.

This policy outlines the standards of conduct, screening and supervision expected to support culturally safe and respectful engagement, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, people with disability and others at heightened risk.

This policy also provides authority to maintain the Working With Children Check Procedure.

2. Who our policy applies to

This policy applies to all members of the Adelaide University community.

3. Our safety of children and vulnerable people principles

3.1 We prioritise safety, wellbeing and respect

We place the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of children and vulnerable people at the centre of all we do.

We achieve this by promoting participation, seeking feedback from children and young people, providing accessible information about raising concerns, and ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect in culturally safe and inclusive environments.

3.2 We act to prevent and respond to harm

We take a proactive, prevention-focused approach to safeguarding and do not tolerate behaviours or practices that cause or risk harm.

We take all disclosures, allegations, and concerns seriously and respond in line with our legal obligations and University applicable policies such as [Code of Conduct and Values], [Student Conduct] and [Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Harm Policy].

3.3 We create inclusive and culturally safe environments

We embrace diversity and take steps to ensure our environments are inclusive, accessible, and culturally safe for all, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and others who may face increased risk.

We empower children and young people to express their needs, preferences, and experiences, and to participate actively in shaping safe environments.

3.4 We take all reasonable steps to ensure safe recruitment and ongoing suitability of our people

We engage only those people who demonstrate integrity, capability and suitability required to work with or interact with children and vulnerable individuals. This applies to staff, students, volunteers, titleholders, visiting academics, contractors, partners, and other contributors acting for or behalf of the University.

We ensure that any person in a prescribed position, or in an activity requiring a Working With Children Check (WWCC) by law or through risk assessment, holds a valid and current WWCC clearance before commencement and throughout their engagement, supported by processes that monitor the currency of clearances and required training.

All members of the Adelaide University community are expected to uphold the University’s code of conduct and related policies, and to act with professionalism, care, and respect in all interactions.

3.5 We meet our legal and reporting obligations

We comply with all statutory reporting requirements and cooperate with relevant authorities to safeguard children and vulnerable individuals.

We uphold our legal obligations to report, on reasonable grounds, any suspicion or disclosure of harm to a child or vulnerable person, and we expect all Adelaide University community members to do the same in accordance with legislative duties and University expectations.

Disclosures or formal reports made to the University are managed under applicable University policies to ensure appropriate support, protection and action.

3.6 We lead with accountability and shared responsibility

We cultivate a culture of safety, accountability and respect through strong leadership.

We embed safeguarding responsibilities in our governance, risk management, and decision-making structures, and every member of the Adelaide University community shares responsibility for protecting children and vulnerable individuals.

3.7 We build awareness and capability through education

We strengthen safeguarding capability by providing access to training, guidance, and professional development that enables staff, students, and volunteers to understand their responsibilities, recognise risks and respond appropriately.

3.8 We identify and manage risks proactively

We identify, assess, and manage risks of harm across all Adelaide University settings, including physical, online, research, outreach, placement, accommodation, international mobility, and contractor activities.

We anticipate situations involving children or vulnerable individuals and ensure that environments and activities remain appropriate, inclusive, and safe.

3.9 We maintain accessible and supportive reporting pathways

We maintain reporting pathways that are clear, confidential and accessible, ensuring that disclosures, concerns and complaints are responded to in a timely, fair and respectful manner. Our processes will be child-friendly to enable people to speak up and seek support with confidence.

3.10 We commit to continuous review and improvement

We regularly monitor, evaluate and strengthen our safeguarding systems, policies and practices to ensure they remain effective, up to date, and aligned with best practice.

4. Definitions used in our policy

Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.

Adelaide University community refers to a broad range of stakeholders who engage with Adelaide University and includes (but is not limited to) all students, staff, and non-staff members of Adelaide University including alumni, honorary titleholders, adjuncts, visiting academics, guest lecturers, volunteers, suppliers and partners who are engaging with and contributing to the work of Adelaide University.

Children means any persons under the age of 18 years.

Harm means any significant detrimental effect on the physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing of a child or vulnerable person, however caused.

Risk means that a child or vulnerable person is considered at risk when their current circumstances indicate a likelihood of harm, even if no harm has yet occurred.

Safeguarding means the system of leadership, governance, and everyday practice that prevents, identifies, and responds to harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or harassment of children, young people, and other vulnerable people. It reflects our shared and accountable responsibility to provide safe environments—on campus and online—through screening, training, risk management, and reporting.

Prescribed positions means a role classified under South Australian legislation as requiring child-related clearance.

Vulnerable people means individuals who may be at increased risk of harm, exploitation or abuse due to age, disability, illness, cultural background, life experiences, or social or economic disadvantage. This includes, but is not limited to:

• people with disability
• elderly persons
• international students and others who may be isolated from traditional support networks
• individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma, or other forms of vulnerability.

Working With Children Check (WWCC) means the screening process under the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016 (SA) that assesses whether a person is suitable to work or volunteer with children.

5. How our policy is governed

This policy is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.

6. Legislation and other documents related to our policy

Refer to the Delegation Policy for all delegations at Adelaide University.

7. History of changes

At the time of writing, Adelaide University’s organisational structure, position titles, and committee names have not been confirmed. Square brackets [ ] indicate placeholders for these details. Brackets are also used to identify policy elements that are subject to further decision-making or confirmation. These will be updated once final decisions are made.