Shield Tuition Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Shield Group Holdings Pty Ltd t/as Shield Tuition
Version: 2.0
Originally Adopted: 2023
Last Reviewed: May 2026

1. Purpose

Shield Tuition is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and child-focused environment for all children and young people who engage with our services.

This Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy outlines the measures we take to protect children from harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation, grooming, discrimination, and inappropriate conduct.

We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and are committed to promoting a culture where children feel safe, respected, listened to, and empowered.

This policy aligns with:

• The Queensland Child Safe Standards;

• The Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld);

• Queensland Blue Card legislation;

• Relevant mandatory reporting obligations under Australian law; and

• National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• all directors;

• employees;

• tutors;

• contractors;

• volunteers;

• consultants;

• administrative staff; and

• any other person engaged by Shield Tuition.

This policy applies to all interactions with children, including:

• online tutoring sessions;

• phone communication;

• messaging and email communication;

• onboarding processes;

• learning platforms;

• lesson recordings;

• parent communication; and

• any activity conducted in connection with Shield Tuition services.

3. Definitions

Child or Young Person

A child or young person means any individual under the age of 18 years.

Child Abuse

Child abuse includes:

• physical abuse;

• sexual abuse;

• emotional or psychological abuse;

• neglect;

• grooming;

• exposure to family violence; and

• exploitation or inappropriate conduct.

Child Safety Concern

A child safety concern includes any allegation, disclosure, suspicion, observation, complaint, or behaviour that may place a child at risk of harm.

4. Our Commitment to Child Safety

Shield Tuition is committed to:

• creating safe learning environments for children;

• promoting children’s participation and empowerment;

• listening to and respecting children;

• taking all concerns and allegations seriously;

• responding promptly and appropriately to child safety concerns;

• complying with all legal and regulatory obligations;

• supporting culturally safe environments;

• supporting children with disability;

• supporting children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and

• continuously improving our child safe practices.

Child safety is a shared responsibility across all areas of our organisation.

5. Child Safe Standards

Shield Tuition is committed to implementing and maintaining the Queensland Child Safe Standards.

We aim to ensure:

1. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance, and culture.

2. Children are informed about their rights and participate in decisions affecting them.

3. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety.

4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected.

5. People working with children are suitable and supported.

6. Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child-focused.

7. Staff and tutors are equipped through ongoing education and training.

8. Physical and online environments minimise opportunities for harm.

9. Implementation of child safe practices is regularly reviewed.

10. Policies and procedures document how child safety is maintained.

6. Recruitment, Screening, and Blue Card Requirements

Shield Tuition takes all reasonable steps to ensure suitable people work with children.

Our recruitment and onboarding processes include:

• Working with Children Checks (Blue Card or equivalent);

• identity verification;

• referee checks where appropriate;

• qualification verification;

• screening for child safety risks;

• onboarding and policy acknowledgement; and

• mandatory child safety training.

All tutors and relevant personnel must:

• hold and maintain any Blue Card, Working With Children Check, or equivalent clearance required by the state or territory in which they perform child-related work;

• notify Shield Tuition immediately of any suspension, cancellation, investigation, or change to their eligibility status;

• comply with all child safety policies and procedures; and

• complete required training modules.

Failure to maintain required screening clearances may result in immediate suspension or termination of engagement.

7. Online Safety and Digital Conduct

Shield Tuition primarily operates as an online tutoring provider. The vast majority of tutoring services are delivered remotely through online platforms and digital learning environments.

As an online education provider, Shield Tuition recognises the importance of maintaining strong online child safety controls and digital safeguarding practices.

All personnel must:

• maintain professional boundaries at all times;

• use approved communication channels where possible;

• avoid private or secretive communication with students;

• avoid communication outside reasonable hours unless operationally necessary;

• avoid communicating through personal social media accounts;

• avoid exchanging personal photos, videos, or inappropriate content;

• avoid discussions unrelated to tutoring that are inappropriate or personal in nature;

• immediately report concerning online interactions; and

• comply with all digital safety procedures.

Shield Tuition may utilise online tutoring platforms, lesson recordings, operational monitoring tools, and AI-assisted quality assurance processes to:

• support child safety;

• maintain tutoring quality standards;

• investigate complaints or incidents;

• assist with operational oversight;

• support tutor training and consistency; and

• improve service delivery.

Where applicable, online lessons may be recorded for:

• quality assurance;

• safeguarding purposes;

• complaint investigation;

• staff training; and

• operational review.

Recordings and related data are stored securely and accessed only by authorised personnel.

Children must never be asked to keep secrets from parents, guardians, or Shield Tuition management.

Any limited in-person tutoring or face-to-face interaction must also comply fully with this policy and all applicable child safety procedures.

8. Child Safe Code of Conduct

All personnel engaged by Shield Tuition must:

• act professionally and respectfully;

• prioritise child safety and wellbeing;

• listen to and respect children’s views;

• promote inclusion and cultural safety;

• maintain appropriate professional boundaries;

• report concerns promptly;

• comply with all policies and procedures; and

• behave in a manner consistent with community expectations.

Personnel must not:

• engage in grooming behaviour;

• develop inappropriate personal relationships with students;

• engage in inappropriate physical contact;

• use discriminatory, degrading, sexualised, or inappropriate language;

• contact students through personal social media accounts;

• engage in bullying, intimidation, or harassment;

• share inappropriate material with children; or

• place children at risk through negligent or unsafe behaviour.

Any breach of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, suspension, termination of engagement, and/or referral to relevant authorities.

9. Parent and Guardian Involvement

Shield Tuition encourages active parent and guardian involvement.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to:

• maintain visibility over tutoring sessions where appropriate;

• raise concerns promptly;

• participate in communication regarding student wellbeing;

• provide feedback on child safety practices; and

• support safe online learning environments.

Shield Tuition may communicate directly with parents or guardians regarding any child safety concerns.

10. Reporting Child Safety Concerns

Any child safety concern, allegation, disclosure, complaint, suspicion, or incident must be reported immediately.

All personnel must:

• take disclosures seriously;

• prioritise the immediate safety of the child;

• avoid investigating matters themselves;

• document concerns accurately; and

• escalate concerns promptly.

Where a child is believed to be in immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted on 000.

Shield Tuition may report concerns to:

• Queensland Police Service;

• Child Safety Services;

• Blue Card Services;

• relevant regulatory bodies; and/or

• other appropriate authorities.

Reports may be made even where there is uncertainty, where legally permitted or required.

11. Complaints Handling

Shield Tuition takes all complaints and concerns seriously.

We aim to ensure complaints processes are:

• child-focused;

• culturally sensitive;

• confidential where possible;

• fair and transparent; and

• responsive.

Children, parents, tutors, and staff may raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

All complaints are assessed appropriately based on risk, seriousness, and legal obligations.

12. Cultural Safety and Inclusion

Shield Tuition is committed to promoting environments where all children feel safe, respected, and included.

We support:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children;

• children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds;

• children with disability;

• neurodiverse children; and

• children of all genders and identities.

Discrimination, exclusion, or culturally unsafe behaviour will not be tolerated.

13. Training and Awareness

Shield Tuition provides ongoing child safety education and awareness training to relevant personnel.

Training may include:

• child protection obligations;

• recognising signs of abuse or grooming;

• online safety;

• professional boundaries;

• mandatory reporting obligations;

• complaint handling; and

• organisational child safe procedures.

Personnel are expected to participate in required training activities.

14. Risk Management

Shield Tuition regularly assesses risks relating to child safety.

This includes risks associated with:

• online tutoring environments;

• digital communication;

• lesson recordings;

• tutor conduct;

• contractor engagement;

• data handling; and

• operational processes.

Reasonable steps are taken to minimise identified risks.

15. Privacy and Confidentiality

Shield Tuition handles child safety information sensitively and confidentially where appropriate.

Information relating to child safety concerns is shared only with individuals who require access for safeguarding, legal, operational, or regulatory purposes.

However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where disclosure is required to protect a child or comply with legal obligations.

16. Breaches of this Policy

Any breach of this policy may result in:

• disciplinary action;

• suspension;

• termination of employment or engagement;

• reporting to authorities;

• removal from tutoring duties; and/or

• other appropriate action.

Shield Tuition reserves the right to take immediate protective action where child safety concerns arise.

17. Review and Continuous Improvement

This policy will be reviewed:

• at least annually;

• following significant incidents;

• following legislative or regulatory changes; or

• where operational improvements are identified.

Shield Tuition welcomes feedback from children, families, tutors, and staff to continuously improve child safety practices.

18. Contact Information

For concerns, complaints, or questions relating to child safety, please contact:

Shield Tuition
Email: info@shieldtuition.com.au
Website: www.shieldtuition.com.au

If a child is in immediate danger, call 000.

19. Related Policies and Procedures

This policy should be read alongside:

• Tutor Code of Conduct;

• Contractor Agreement;

• Online Tutoring Procedures;

• Privacy Policy;

• Complaints Handling Procedures;

• Incident Reporting Procedures; and

• Blue Card Compliance Procedures.

Approved by: Shield Group Holdings Pty Ltd t/as Shield Tuition
Version: 2.0