Code of Conduct and Professional Boundaries: Safe and Appropriate Behaviour with Children and Young People

This course provides staff, volunteers and contractors working in education and care settings across all Australian states and territories with the knowledge and skills to uphold a code of conduct that places the safety and wellbeing of children and young people at the centre of every professional interaction. Drawing on Australia's National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, jurisdiction-specific Reportable Conduct Schemes, and Child Safe Standards, learners will develop a clear understanding of what safe and appropriate behaviour looks like in practice, how to recognise and respond to boundary violations, and how to navigate complex situations with confidence and integrity. The course is structured across five modules that progress from foundational concepts through to practical application, covering topics including the purpose and scope of a professional code of conduct, the nature of professional boundaries and why they matter, recognising and responding to grooming and boundary violations, safe use of technology and social media, and mandatory obligations including reporting. Each lesson is grounded in real-world scenarios relevant to schools, early childhood services, out-of-school-hours care, disability and community services, and other care environments. On completion, learners will be equipped to apply their organisation's code of conduct with confidence, understand their obligations under relevant legislation, identify early warning signs of boundary erosion, and take appropriate action to protect children and young people. This training supports compliance with Child Safe Standards in jurisdictions including Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory.