Youth Participant Code of Conduct
The Youth Participant Code of Conduct has been developed to ensure positive and respectful interaction between all people participating in Diocesan Youth Ministry Events. Youth Participant conduct should be characterised by common sense, politeness and cooperation. Participants should at all times be mindful that they are ambassadors for their parish/school.
I will:
1. Conduct myself in a respectful and Christian manner through language, dress, and behaviour
2. Listen and adhere to all lawful instructions given by Coordinators, leaders or volunteer members
3. Respect myself, other participants and leaders and the property of other participants and leaders
4. Keep my personal belongings with me at all times
5. Fully and actively participate in all activities, arriving promptly, and staying for the entire event
6. Maintain the spirit of the event
7. Report problems or incidents of any kind to a volunteer, including situations that make me feel uncomfortable
8. Act in accordance with the laws, regulations and rules of the event and of Western Australia
9. Avoid risk taking behaviour which could compromise the health and safety of myself or others
11. Refrain from violence towards participants, leaders and all other persons
12. Refrain from dangerous, demeaning, threatening (including bullying & harassment) or immoral behaviour
I will not:
13. Use rude or offensive language
14. Hurt, abuse, bully, or tease anyone
15. Upload, store, post on social media, or transmit via a mobile device inappropriate images of myself or others
16. Engage in actions that could result in injury and/or damage to property
17. Possess weapons of any kind
18. Purchase, possess, consume, or distribute alcohol
19. Purchase, possess, consume, or distribute banned drugs or misuse other medication
20. Engage in any form of sexual activity or sexual harassment
21. Purchase, download, possess, or distribute pornography
If a serious breach of any Code of Conduct occurs during the event, those affected should immediately advise a volunteer.
Youth Participants and their parents/guardians understand that failure to agree to and abide by the Youth Participant Code of Conduct will result in exclusion from the event.
· Breaches of discipline and disruptive behaviour, including bullying, will be dealt with in a manner that is fair and transparent, by more than one Church worker. Children and their parents will be advised of the consequences for breaching the Code of Behaviour. A three-stage process will be followed: the first stage will be a verbal warning; the second stage will involve informing the child’s parents; the third stage - if the behaviour continues - the child will be asked to leave the group. The child, parents and group leaders will be involved in the consultation.
· Children, or their parents, who are dissatisfied with any aspect of activities or services can follow a complaints procedure; namely, to inform the leader of the program or, when appropriate, to contact one of our Parish Safeguarding Officers.
Please note:
· the Diocese of Bunbury only accepts liability or responsibility for an incident or accident caused by the negligence or breach of statutory duty of the parish, its staff and volunteers
· it is the responsibility of the parents to be on time when dropping off or collecting children
· all participants must keep to the Code of Behaviour for all activities; otherwise they may be asked to discontinue their participation
· any concerns regarding the welfare and safety of children participating in Diocesan activities should be brought immediately to the attention of the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer or the statutory authorities.
I have read the above Code of Conduct and I/my child/my ward agree to follow it while attending Diocesan Events. I understand that if the Code is breached the Diocesan Youth Ministry Office may:
• Report my/my child/my ward misconduct to local statutory authorities, if the breach in any way violates local ordinances or laws
• Dismiss and escort me/my child from the venues of the event or call parents/guardians to collect me/my child/my ward.
• Ban me/my child/my ward from involvement in future Diocesan Youth Ministry Office events