01 Our Commitment
Oz Scholars Academy is committed to the safety, wellbeing, and protection of all children and young people who use our services. We have zero tolerance for child abuse, neglect, exploitation, or harm of any kind, and we are committed to acting in the best interests of children at all times.
We value, respect, and listen to children and young people, and we take all concerns about their safety seriously.
02 Scope
This policy applies to everyone engaged by Oz Scholars Academy, including:
- Tutors and mentors
- Employees and contractors
- Volunteers
- Directors and management
- Anyone who interacts with students on our behalf
03 Screening & Working With Children Checks
All tutors, staff, and contractors who work with children are required to:
- Hold a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC) as required under New South Wales law
- Provide proof of identity and relevant qualifications
- Complete our onboarding and child-safety induction before working with students
We verify these requirements before any tutor is matched with a student, and we may conduct ongoing checks during their engagement with us.
04 Code of Conduct
All adults engaged by OSA must:
- Treat children with respect and maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times
- Conduct sessions through approved OSA channels and platforms
- Avoid private, unsupervised, or off-platform contact with students
- Never share personal contact details or arrange to meet students privately
- Never engage in any form of bullying, harassment, grooming, or inappropriate communication
- Avoid being alone with a child in a way that cannot be observed where reasonably possible
05 Online Safety
As our services are delivered online, we take additional steps to keep students safe:
- Sessions are conducted through approved platforms such as Zoom or Google Meet
- We encourage sessions to take place in a shared or visible area of the home
- Communication between tutors and students should occur through approved OSA channels
- We recommend parents and guardians remain aware of, and able to observe, online sessions
06 Role of Parents & Guardians
Parents and guardians play an important role in keeping children safe. We ask that they:
- Supervise their child's use of our services where appropriate
- Help set up a suitable, visible learning environment
- Raise any concerns about a tutor or session with us promptly
07 Reporting Concerns
If you have any concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child connected to our services, please contact us immediately at ozscholarsacademy@gmail.com.
If a child is in immediate danger, always call 000 (Emergency Services) first.
Concerns about a child's safety can also be reported to the relevant child protection authority in your state or territory. In New South Wales, this is the Department of Communities and Justice.
08 Responding to Concerns
When a concern is raised, OSA will:
- Take the concern seriously and act promptly
- Prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the child
- Report to NSW Police, the Department of Communities and Justice, or other authorities where required by law
- Suspend any individual involved while a concern is being assessed where appropriate
- Cooperate fully with any external investigation
We comply with our mandatory and reportable conduct obligations under applicable Australian law.
09 Privacy & Records
Information relating to child safety concerns is handled sensitively and confidentially, and shared only with those who need it to keep a child safe or as required by law. Our broader handling of personal information is set out in our Privacy Policy.
10 Training & Review
We provide child-safety guidance to our tutors and staff, and we review this policy regularly to ensure it reflects current best practice and legal requirements.
11 Contact
Oz Scholars Academy
Email: ozscholarsacademy@gmail.com
Website: www.ozscholarsacademy.com.au