Application Form - Administration / Other

Thank you for taking the next step to join our rewarding volunteer team. We are thrilled that you are ready to express interest in a role and ask that you first read and agree to our Code of Conduct & Child Safe Code of Conduct below.

Lutheran Care values the contribution volunteers make to the quality of work undertaken by the agency and recognises and respects the great variety of natural and developed skills that Volunteers offer.

Lutheran Care aligns with the Definition of Volunteering and accompanying explanatory notes, as set out by Volunteering Australia. In line with this commitment, volunteers operate within designated volunteer roles and do not replace paid workers. The role that volunteers play in LC is unique and differs from that of an unpaid staff member.

Lutheran Care is committed to undertaking appropriate recruitment practices and to providing a safe, fair and healthy workplace for its volunteers. This will be achieved through ensuring that all volunteers undergo an induction process and receive the training and support necessary to assist them to perform their role.

As LC volunteers have contact with vulnerable people, particularly children, they are required to undertake a DHS Working with Children Check. LC can refuse to accept a volunteer if a screening is unsatisfactory or there is no suitable positions available.

Volunteers must:

1. Comply with all Lutheran Care instructions, policies and guidelines governing their conduct.

2. Perform their duties honestly and with professionalism and integrity.

3. Take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety and the health and the safety of others.

4. Treat everyone with respect, courtesy, consideration, sensitivity, fairness and equity and without harassment or intimidating behaviours.

5. Demonstrate understanding and commitment to sustaining and enhancing the organisation’s culture of safety, respect and non-violence.

6. Comply with any lawful and reasonable direction given by persons in LC who have authority to give the direction.

7. Maintain appropriate confidentiality about dealings with clients or staff.

8. Use LC resources in a proper manner.

9. Disclose and avoid real or apparent conflicts of interest.

10. Be conscientious in the performance of their duties and scrupulous in the use of equipment and facilities.

11. Exercise proper standards of financial management and accounting at all times.

12. Dress appropriately and responsibly for their duties with particular concern for safety.

13. Attend work free from the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs.

14. Not use their position to further either their own interest or the interests of friends or relatives.

15. At all times behave in a way that upholds LC’s Philosophy and Values and their integrity and good reputation.

16. Conduct themselves in their private capacities in a manner that will not reflect seriously and/or adversely on LC or fellow volunteers/employees.

Child Safe Code of Conduct

Introduction Lutheran Care (LC) is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. It recognises the importance of, and a responsibility for, ensuring our organisation provides a safe, supportive and enriching environment which respects and fosters the rights and wellbeing of children and young people with whom we have contact. Objectives LC’s Child Safe Code of Conduct aims to protect children and reduce any opportunities for child abuse or harm to occur. It also assists in understanding how to avoid or better manage risky behaviours and situations. It is intended to complement child protection legislation, LC policies and procedures and LC’s Code of Conduct. Agreement to comply with this Code This Child Safe Code of Conduct applies to all components of LC’s work, including the use of digital technology and social media. All LC employees, as well as volunteers, students, interns or trainees are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who engage with LC. All staff are expected to act in accordance with this Code of Conduct in their physical and online interactions with children and young people under the age of 18 years.

I will:

• Act in accordance with LC’s child safety and wellbeing policies and procedures at all times.
• Behave respectfully, courteously and ethically towards children and their families and towards other staff.
• Listen and respond to the views and concerns of children, particularly if they communicate (verbally or non-verbally) that they do not feel safe or well.
• Promote the human rights, safety and wellbeing of all children.
• Demonstrate appropriate personal and professional boundaries.
• Consider and respect the diverse backgrounds and needs of children.
• Create an environment that promotes and enables children’s participation and is welcoming, culturally safe and inclusive for all children and their families.
• Involve children in making decisions about activities, policies and processes that concern them wherever possible.
• Contribute, where appropriate, to LC’s policies, discussions, learning and reviews about child safety and wellbeing.
• Identify and mitigate risks to children’s safety and wellbeing as required by LC’s risk assessment and management policy or process.
• Respond to any concerns or complaints of child harm or abuse promptly and in line with legislative requirements and LC’s policy and procedure for receiving and responding to complaints.
• Comply with LC’s protocols on communication with children.
• Report all suspected or disclosed child harm or abuse as required by the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 (SA) and the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 (NT) and by LC’s policies and procedures for: o receiving and responding to complaints o internal and external reporting o record keeping and information sharing

I will NOT:

• Seek to use children in any way to meet the needs of adults.
• Ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse or harm.
• Use discriminatory or oppressive behaviour or language with children.
• Discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, culture, religion, disability, diversity, vulnerability, sexuality or other protected attributes under equal opportunity legislation.
• Initiate unnecessary physical contact with children or do things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves, such as toileting or changing clothes.
• Encourage rough physical games.
• Develop ‘special’ relationships with specific children or show favouritism through the provision of gifts or inappropriate attention.
• Exchange personal contact details such as phone number, social networking site or email addresses with children.
• Have unauthorized contact with children and young people in person, online or by phone.

If I believe this Code of Conduct has been breached by another person in LC I will:

• Act to prioritise the best interest of children.
• Take action promptly to ensure that children are safe.
• Promptly report any concerns to my manager, the Chief Executive Officer or another manager or leader in LC.
• Follow LC’s policies and procedures for receiving and responding to complaints and concerns.
• Comply with the requirements of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 (SA) (in particular sections 17, 18, 30 and 31) and the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 (NT) (in particular sections 15, 16 and 26), and LC’s policy and procedure on internal and external reporting.