Child safety code of conduct
All schools must have a code of conduct that complies with child safe standards.
Schools
A child safety code of conduct sets a high standard of behaviours to protect students from harm and abuse.
On this page
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Any reference to ‘schools’ also includes school boarding premises.
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If your school operates a school boarding premises, a single child safety code of conduct for all settings may be appropriate.
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This guidance is designed for government schools. It can also be used by non-government schools.
Child safety code of conduct
A child safety code of conduct:
- lists acceptable and unacceptable behaviours
- identifies professional boundaries and ethical behaviour
- supports staff and volunteers to avoid or manage inappropriate behaviours and difficult situations
Your child safety code of conduct should set a high standard of behaviour to protect students from harm and abuse. It should:
- identify appropriate and inappropriate behaviours
- cover conduct in physical and online environments
- be developed in consultation with staff and the school community
- be easy to access and understand
- be covered in induction training for all staff and volunteers
- link to relevant child safety policies, for example your child safety and wellbeing policy
- link to relevant human resources and procurement processes
How to comply with Ministerial Order 1359
Ministerial Order 1359provides the framework for child safety in schools. It requires all schools to have a child safety code of conduct that:
- promotes child safety and wellbeing in the school
- provides guidance for staff and volunteers on expected standards of behaviour
- considers the needs of all children and students
- is consistent with other codes of conduct and child safety and wellbeing strategies, policies and procedures.
The child safety code of conduct does not affect the responsibilities of staff or volunteers arising from any other code of conduct, such as:
Possible next steps
Updated 26 March 2026
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