AMTA

Policy owner: AMTA Director
Applies to: Staff, tutors, contractors, assistants and volunteers
Last reviewed: August 2026
Review cycle: At least annually and after any significant child-safety incident

1. Our commitment

The Australian Musical Theatre Academy ('AMTA') is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for every child and young person who participates in our workshops, classes and programs.

AMTA has zero tolerance for child abuse, harm, grooming, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour towards children. The safety and wellbeing of children in our care is our highest priority.

This policy is informed by the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and, for AMTA's Victorian operations, the Victorian Child Safe Standards. AMTA also complies with relevant child-safety and screening requirements in each Australian state or territory in which it operates.

2. What AMTA commits to

• Treating all children with dignity, kindness and respect.
• Listening to children and taking their views, concerns and disclosures seriously.
• Creating an environment in which children feel safe to speak up.
• Respecting children of all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities.
• Providing a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
• Identifying and reducing risks to children in AMTA workshops and activities.
• Responding promptly and appropriately to any concern about a child's safety or wellbeing.

3. Screening of staff

Everyone engaged by AMTA to work with children must hold a current Working with Children Check, Blue Card, or equivalent child-safety clearance required in the state or territory in which they are working.

AMTA verifies relevant clearances and keeps appropriate records. AMTA may require a child-safety clearance even where a person may otherwise qualify for a legislative exemption.

Where Queensland Blue Card requirements apply, AMTA will also meet applicable employer linking and record-keeping requirements.

4. Supervision of children

• No AMTA staff member, tutor, contractor, assistant or volunteer is ever left alone one-to-one with a child during an AMTA workshop or program.
• AMTA workshops are staffed by at least two staff members at all times and typically by two to three staff, including teaching staff and a staff assistant/helper.
• Children remain appropriately supervised throughout workshop activities, breaks and transitions.
• Staff maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children at all times.

5. Attendance, emergency contacts and medical information

• All children are signed in on arrival and attendance records are maintained.
• AMTA holds parent/carer and emergency contact details for participants.
• Relevant medical information and medical/action plans supplied by parents or carers are available to workshop staff.
• Information about serious allergies and anaphylaxis is communicated to the appropriate staff before the workshop.
• Children are released in accordance with the collection arrangements advised by their parent or carer.

6. First aid and emergencies

• A first aid kit is available at AMTA workshops.
• Emergency contact and relevant medical information is accessible to workshop staff.
• AMTA staff follow the emergency and evacuation procedures of the venue in which a workshop is being held.
• In an emergency, AMTA will contact emergency services and the child's parent/carer as appropriate.

7. Venues

AMTA operates from a small studio and office in Parkdale, Victoria, and otherwise primarily delivers workshops at hired venues or in conjunction with performing arts schools and other organisations.

Regardless of where an AMTA workshop takes place, AMTA's child-safety requirements continue to apply. AMTA considers the suitability and safety of the physical environment and works with host venues to understand emergency procedures and any additional child-safety requirements.

8. Appropriate behaviour

All AMTA staff, tutors, contractors, assistants and volunteers must:

• Behave professionally and respectfully towards children.
• Use appropriate language and physical contact.
• Respect children's personal boundaries and privacy.
• Never engage in sexualised, discriminatory, intimidating, humiliating or degrading behaviour.
• Never groom or develop inappropriate personal relationships with children.
• Avoid private or inappropriate electronic communication with children.
• Intervene if they observe behaviour that could place a child at risk.
• Report any child-safety concern promptly.

AMTA provides all staff working with children with clear information about expected behaviour, reporting responsibilities and child-safety procedures.

9. If a child raises a concern or discloses abuse

If a child tells an AMTA staff member that they feel unsafe, or discloses abuse or harm, the staff member will:

1. Listen calmly and take the child seriously.
2. Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by speaking up.
3. Not interrogate the child or attempt to investigate the allegation themselves.
4. Make an accurate record of what was said.
5. Immediately inform the AMTA Director or nominated Child Safety Contact.
6. Take any necessary action to protect the child.
7. Report the matter to Police, Child Protection or another relevant authority where required by law.

If a child is in immediate danger, emergency services will be contacted. Concerns and complaints relating to children's safety will be treated seriously, sensitively and promptly.

10. Responsibility

Child safety is everyone's responsibility at AMTA. The AMTA Director has overall responsibility for ensuring appropriate child-safety practices are in place. All staff, tutors, contractors, assistants and volunteers are responsible for complying with this policy and raising any concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child.

11. Review of this policy

AMTA reviews this policy at least annually and whenever there is a significant change to AMTA's programs or operations, a relevant change to child-safety legislation, or a child-safety incident or concern that indicates procedures could be improved.

Legal and policy framework
National Principles for Child Safe Organisations; Victorian Child Safe Standards under the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic); Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic); and applicable Working with Children / Blue Card legislation and requirements in other Australian jurisdictions.