1. Purpose of policy
1.1 This policy outlines the conditions under which children are permitted to be on University premises.
2. Policy scope and application
2.1 This policy applies to all staff, students, contractors and any visitors on a University premises.
2.2 This policy is not intended to limit the full participation in study or employment by young people who are UniSC students or who are engaged in employment that requires them to be on University premises.
3. Definitions
Refer to the University’s Glossary of Terms for definitions as they specifically relate to policy documents.
Children means persons under the age of 18 years.
Parent or carer and individuals with kinship carer obligations means the person (staff, student or community visitor) who brings the child on to the premises.
Workplace means a place where work is carried out for a business or undertaking and includes any place where a worker goes, or is likely to be, while at work.
4. Children of staff and students
4.1 The University recognises that there will be occasions when it may be necessary for children to accompany their parent or carer on campus. However, the University must also conduct its operations in an efficient and effective manner and the provisions for children on campus must take proper account of the University’s operational requirements.
4.2 When necessary, a student or staff member can bring their child into public areas of campus for a defined period of time. In these circumstances, the student or staff member are not required to seek permission providing:
(a) the child remains in the care of the parent or carer and in direct their eyesight at all times;
(b) there is no disruption to other staff or students on campus;
(c) the child will not be attending classes or occupying learning, teaching, research or other workspaces; and
(d) the child will not be provided access to UniSC computers, devices or networks.
4.3 Permission to allow a child to accompany a parent or carer into non-public areas of campus must be sought from a staff member’s supervisor or student’s supervisor or relevant academic, and permission will remain at the discretion of the supervisor or relevant academic. All requests must be considered sensitively and reasonably with regard to all factors relevant to the circumstances.
4.3.1 Factors to consider when deciding to permit a child into non-public areas of campus are:
(a) safety of the child in the relevant environment;
(b) level of interference with other staff, students or community visitors;
(c) sickness and level of contagion of the child;
(d) frequency and duration of attendance;
(e) content of lecture, discussion or activity (e.g. sensitive or explicit subject matter may be inappropriate);
(f) size of venue and availability of seating;
(g) other staff and students not being interrupted, inconvenienced or disrupted;
(h) continued behaviour of the child; and
(i) notification to the supervisor or relevant academic.
4.4 Children appropriate spaces (e.g., a Children’s Corner in the Library) may be provided by the University in order to provide support to a parent or carer who is studying or collaborating with a group. The parent or carer must supervise their child at all times while they are using these spaces and the parent or carer is responsible for ensuring the child’s behaviour is not disruptive to other students studying close by.
4.5 Students bringing a child onto campus are obliged to ensure that the University’s expectations of students set out in the Student Charter are adhered to at all times.
4.6 The parent or carer is directly responsible for the behaviour of the child under their care and the parent or carer may be asked to remove the child from a space should the child’s behaviour proves disruptive.
4.7 While a child is on the premises, the parent or carer must not request that other students, colleagues or staff take temporary charge of the child.
5. Accompanied children on campus
5.1 Children regularly visit the University in school and other groups, which are authorised in advance as appropriate. Such groups are a welcome part of campus life. While on the premises, children in authorised groups are the responsibility of the teachers, parents or nominated guardians or caregivers accompanying them. In addition, the University requires staff, volunteers and students to comply with the Working with Vulnerable People– Governing Policy.
6. Unaccompanied children on campus
6.1 Like other community members, children can access those areas of the University’s campuses that are accessible to the public, including public transport facilities. The University assumes no responsibility for the supervision of unaccompanied children on campus. Unaccompanied children who create a disturbance or pose a risk, can be directed from the premises. In such instances, Safe UniSC Security, will act in accordance with appropriate Acts, policies and procedures and on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer. In public areas such as the Library, staff on duty have the authority to direct that children be removed from the area.
6.2 Many children use the University grounds as a thoroughfare at various times. Children are not permitted to ride any type of micromobility vehicle or bicycles on the central premises, travel through any buildings, loiter in any University buildings or make undue noise while on the premises. Staff or students who notice any such disruptive behaviour should report the incident to Safe UniSC Security immediately. Where appropriate, the relevant school, if known, will be notified of any disruptive behaviour of their students on University premises.
7. Workplace Health and Safety
7.1 The University recognises its statutory and common law responsibilities for protecting staff, students and visitors, including children, from exposure to risks to their health and safety arising from University activities. Accordingly, children (excluding UniSC students) are not allowed to be in areas that have identifiable hazards including, but not limited to:
(a)laboratories;
(b) trade workshops;
(c)construction sites or areas undergoing minor works or maintenance;
(d) machinery areas and areas where grounds equipment is in use;
(e) art studios, computer laboratories, and areas displaying inappropriate or graphic material;
(f) chemical and dangerous goods storage areas;
(g) clinical areas;
(h) kitchens; and
(i) storage facilities.
7.1.1 As part of an organised activity children can be provided access to hazardous areas. Such permission is only granted with the full knowledge of the area’s supervisor and consideration of appropriate supervisory measures and additional risk mitigation controls.
7.2 University staff can refuse permission to access any area within the premises because of reasonable concerns related to workplace health and safety issues.
7.3 Parents or carers must recognise that some environments and facilities which are safe in terms of the relevant health and safety legislation may represent risks for small children (e.g. stairs, self-closing doors, electrical fittings, office equipment). The primary responsibility of care remains properly with parents or carers.
7.4 The parent or carer must ensure that their children do not engage in activities that may pose a threat to the health, safety and wellbeing of others.
8. Responsibilities
8.1 Parents or carers, and, where relevant, teachers, are responsible for the safety of children in their care whilst on University premises and must ensure their safety and supervise them at all times.
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