POLICY
Central Queensland Christian College is committed to the safety and well-being of all children and young people who use its services.
In line with its Enrolment Policy, the College desires that Christian education is available to as many families as possible. It desires that Christian education is available to children whether their parents have a criminal history or not. When a parent is reported to have a criminal history, it shall be handled according to the procedure outlined below. The safety of children shall be maintained as the overriding priority at all times.
SCOPE
- Participation of a Parent with a Criminal History in the College Community.
- Privacy
- Procedure for When it is Reported that a Parent has a Criminal History.
DEFINITION
A Parent is the parent or guardian of a child.
A Parent with a Criminal History is a parent who has been convicted or has an unresolved accusation of a criminal offence.
A Limited Access Agreement is a formal agreement made between a parent with a criminal history and the College.
A Sex Offender is a person who has been convicted or has an unresolved accusation of a criminal offence of a sexual nature.
POSITION
Participation of a Parent with a Criminal History in the College Community.
A parent with a criminal history is a welcome member of the College community in the following context:
- No person who has been convicted of, or who has an unresolved accusation of sexual misconduct can be permitted to work as a staff member or volunteer at the College.
- In accordance with the following procedures, the participation of a parent with a criminal history in the College community shall be limited by an Agreement with the Principal. This agreement shall be known as a Limited Access Agreement.
- The ongoing enrolment of such a parent’s child / children is conditional upon the parent’s compliance with the Limited Access Agreement.
Privacy
- Parents with a criminal history are not obliged to disclose it to the College unless they apply to work as a staff member or volunteer.
- When a parent applies to work in the College, they shall be required to complete a Criminal History Questionnaire or present a Suitability Notice from the Commission for Children and Young People or a current Teacher’s Registration Notice.
- In the interests of both parent and child, the parent’s criminal history shall remain confidential at all times to the Principal, Chairman and relevant staff members.
Procedure for when it is Reported that a Parent has a Criminal History.
- If it is reported that a parent has a criminal history, whether through the Criminal History Questionnaire or by other means, the Principal shall meet privately with the parent to discuss the matter as soon as possible. If possible, the Principal shall meet with both parents together.
- If the Principal determines that there is a genuine cause for concern, he/she may ask the parent to provide the following documents:
- a statement of criminal history from the Queensland Police Service
- a letter of reference from their parole officer
- a letter of reference from their sex offender treatment provider (if applicable)
- a letter of reference from their current therapist (if applicable)
- a professional assessment from a therapist who specialises in working with sex offenders (if applicable). The College may choose to provide funding for this assessment. The letter of reference should state the person’s professional assessment, whether the offender will re-offend and whether additional restrictions beyond the standard Limited Access Agreement ought to be placed upon the person’s participation.
- If the parent is not a sex offender, the Principal will determine whether a Limited Access Agreement is needed based on the number, timing and nature of offences in the criminal history.
If the parent is a sex-offender, the Principal will develop a Limited Access Agreement based on the advice of professionals (as far as possible) and their determination of risk or probability that the parent will re-offend.
- If it is determined that there is a high risk or probability that a sex-offender will re-offend, they shall not be permitted to come near the College grounds at any time, for any reason.
- If it is determined that there is a low risk or probability that a sex-offender will re-offend, they shall be restricted from participation in the College but the Principal may permit them to be present for family events.
- In the Limited Access Agreement, the Principal may recommend restricted access to students whilst off College grounds and after school hours.
- The Principal should meet periodically with any individual with whom the College has a Limited Access Agreement to review the arrangement and address any concerns. The Agreement shall state the period of review.
- If a parent refuses to comply with any of the above or sign a Limited Access Agreement, the College will deny the person access to College functions and property. In such a circumstance, the enrolment of the parent’s child/children may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Principal.
If such a person enters a College function or its property, they will be asked to leave by a member of staff. If the person further refuses, the local police will be called for assistance. - If the Principal changes, the departing person shall inform the new Principal of each Limited Access Agreement to ensure continuity. In sharing information appropriately it is also important to remain aware of confidentiality and privacy for all involved.
- Copies of files including Limited Access Agreement information should be treated with care, and kept in a secure file drawer.
- If and when legal questions arise, the Principal and/or Board Chair should contact a lawyer who can provide information and advice informed by local and state and Commonwealth Statutes that apply.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
REVIEW
- This policy is to be reviewed every 12 months or as required
- This is Draft Issue #2 for 2009
- formatted for internet - Issue #1 2006 is attached below
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| 06 Parents with Criminal History Policy.doc | 48.5 KB |
| Limited Access Agreement.doc | 30.5 KB |