MHC Child Safety & Safeguarding Policy

Purpose and scope

MHC is committed to providing a child-safe environment where children are safe, supported, and empowered.

The purpose of this policy is to:

Protect children and young people who participate in MHC classes, tutoring, and community spaces from harm.
Provide clear expectations for safe delivery of services (online and in-person where applicable).
Explain how MHC responds to safeguarding concerns, allegations, and disclosures.

This Policy applies to anyone working on behalf of MHC, including employees, contractors, and volunteers.

Our commitment

MHC has a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse. We take all allegations and safety concerns seriously.

We recognise that child abuse can take many forms, including physical, sexual, psychological/emotional abuse, and neglect.

Where Guides have mandatory reporting obligations under applicable legislation, MHC supports compliance. Where Guides do not have mandatory reporting obligations, MHC strongly encourages reporting of any reportable event.

Recruitment and screening

MHC takes reasonable steps to recruit suitable people to work with children. Guides are required to hold and maintain the relevant Working With Children Check / Blue Card (or equivalent) for the state/territory in which they tutor or facilitate.

Safe learning environments

MHC delivers services online and may provide one-to-one support.

Online group classes

To support safety and privacy:

Guides maintain professional boundaries and use respectful, age-appropriate language.
Children may be kept muted unless speaking to reduce background noise and protect privacy.
Families should not record sessions unless explicitly authorised by MHC.

One-to-one sessions

MHC may provide one-to-one sessions. To support safety and transparency:

For younger children, sessions are booked/approved by a parent/guardian.
For adolescents, sessions may be scheduled directly with parent/guardian consent on file, and the parent/guardian is copied on booking confirmations and key follow-up messages.
Sessions must occur via approved MHC channels (for example, MHC Zoom links/accounts), not personal accounts.
Guides must not communicate with minors via personal social media, personal phone numbers, or personal email.
Sessions are generally not recorded, especially group sessions, to protect privacy. MHC may record a session for quality assurance or safeguarding purposes where appropriate and with clear communication.

What to do in an emergency

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, please call 000.

Diversity, inclusion, and cultural safety

MHC welcomes children and families from all backgrounds. We:

Promote the cultural safety, participation, and empowerment of First Nations children.
Support children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse
Support the safety and participation of children with disabilities

Reporting concerns

If a parent/guardian has a safeguarding concern, please contact MHC. [email protected]

MHC Child Safety & Safeguarding Policy

Version 1.0 | Effective • 21.04.26| Review • 21.04.27