The University recognises its responsibilities for protecting visitors, including children, from exposure to risks to their health and safety on University premises.
The University also recognises the need to give consideration to staff and students with family responsibilities without compromising the health and safety of staff, students, visitors and children.
The University recognises that some children live on campus with their parents, some attend child care on campus and that staff and students may occasionally need to bring their children onto University premises.
These guidelines refer specifically to the safety of children on University premises and for this purpose a 'child' or 'children' is a person or persons under the age of 15 years.
These guidelines do not apply to children enrolled at, and physically within, the Flinders University Childcare Centre and the Australian Science & Mathematics School (ASMS) at Bedford Park. These children are covered by the safety provisions of the Centre and the School.
Children on University premises must be under the direct supervision of a responsible adult at all times.
Children must not enter high risk areas, except as described in Organised University-supported Activities below. In these guidelines a 'high risk' area is an area where the level of risk of injury is greater than normally encountered in domestic, public, office or similar situations - for example, laboratories, workshops and other work or study areas which store hazardous chemicals and/or potentially hazardous plant or equipment; areas where building works or maintenance are being carried out. See Prohibited Areas for a list.
For formally organised visits of school pupils, the school teacher(s) in charge of the school group is responsible for ensuring that adequate supervision is provided.
Guidelines
1. Children under the supervision of their parent/carer can be on campus in general community areas, for organised University-supported activities, attending childcare and in University accommodation with their parents.
2. Parents/carers may request approval to bring their children to work, classes or study areas where there are sudden and/or unexpected difficulties with childcare arrangements. Approval should be obtained from a supervisor/lecturer for the child to attend work/classes/study areas. The University expects that parents will not routinely bring children to work, classes or study areas as an alternative to organised childcare.
Approval will not be given for parents/carers to bring children to work/classes/study areas in high risk areas. See Prohibited Areas.
Where approval is given, parents/carers must ensure that the presence of their children does not cause disruption to others.
3. Parents/carers are responsible for the safety of their children on campus.
4. Parents/carers must ensure that children do not have access to high risk (prohibited) areas. See Prohibited Areas.
5. Parents/carers must ensure that children do not disrupt academic or general work or student activities.
6. Children with infectious diseases are not permitted in the work/study environment.
7. Students are not permitted to take children into examinations.
8. If supervisors, College Deans or Portfolio Directors are concerned about particular circumstances they should seek advice from the Work Health and Safety Unit who will assist with identification of hazards and suggestions regarding appropriate controls.
9. The University reserves the right to direct that a child be removed from University premises where the presence of the child is causing an unacceptable health and safety risk or an unreasonable level of disruption to others.
In the case of staff, the person's supervisor has the authority to direct that a child/children be removed from the work environment.
In the case of students, the relevant lecturer or person in charge of the area has the authority to direct that children be removed.
In public areas such as the Library or University grounds, any member of staff on duty, or University Security, have the authority to direct that children be removed from the area.
Prohibited Areas
Areas in which children are NOT permitted (except as described in Organised University-supported Activities below) include:
- laboratories and laboratory preparation areas
- technical and maintenance workshops
- plant, machine and electrical switchboard rooms
- chemical storage areas
- clinical areas
- animal houses
- construction sites
- areas where building works or maintenance are being carried out
- drama and art studios
- printer/copier rooms
- commercial kitchens
- fitness centres
- some areas where alcohol is sold, if that is the condition of the liquor licence
- loading and delivery bays
- bulk rubbish areas including bins and tips
Organised University-supported activities
For organised activities such as open days, school visits, work experience, research activities involving children and other supervised and planned visits approved by the University, entry to higher risk areas may be permitted.
In such cases, University staff must ensure that there is adequate supervision and protection against hazards, and, as necessary, that safety induction is given, before children are admitted to areas that are normally restricted.
Field Trips
Requests for children to accompany a parent/carer on a field trip must be made in advance and in writing and must be submitted to the relavant College Dean or Portfolio Director for approval. Requests must include any known health issues associated with the child, a plan to manage any health and safety risks, and must be supported by the field trip leader. Parents/carers must satisfy the College Dean or Portfolio Director that they can account for supervision, safety and emergency care at all times.
