• Section 1 - Purpose of Policy
• Section 2 - Application and Scope 
• Section 3 - Procedure
• Section 4 - General Principles
• Section 5 - Workplace Health and Safety
• Section 6 - Request and Approval
• Section 7 - Factors to consider when Assessing a Request
• Section 8 - Withdrawal of Permission
• Section 9 - Appeals
• Section 10 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose of Policy

(1) This Procedure provides information on the services and support available to members of the University of Wollongong (the University) community to create a family friendly workplace and study environment. 

(2) The University recognises that staff and students have a range of needs when managing work, study, and family responsibilities and that there may be occasions when it may be necessary to bring a child or children into the work and/or teaching environment.

Section 2 - Application and Scope 

(3) The Procedure applies to:

1. all members of staff, students, and visitors of the University;
2. any person who has care and control of a child on the University campuses;
3. breastfeeding parents; and
4. all processes relating to children in the workplace and study environment of the University and the responsibility of parents, guardians, and carers.

(4) This Procedure does not apply to:

1. other entities controlled by the University; and
2. staff employed at campuses of the University outside of Australia.

Section 3 - Procedure

(5) This Procedure supports the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy, by providing advice for staff and students on the requirements associated with bringing children into the workplace or study environment.

Section 4 - General Principles

(6) Parents, guardians and/or carers retain primary responsibility for the safety and supervision of a child in their care and will follow University requirements in restricted access and hazardous areas. They must always ensure supervision of the child.  Parents, guardians and/or carers should not request or expect staff or students to look after a child.

(7) The University undertakes all reasonably practicable steps to eliminate or effectively control hazards to children on university grounds and in accessible areas of university buildings.

(8) Children under the supervision of their parents, guardians and/or carers can be on campus in general community areas, including lectures and office spaces, and for approved University activities or attending childcare.

(9) There are occasions when staff and students may need to bring their child into the work or teaching areas when there is a sudden or unexpected difficulty in childcare arrangements, and they have been unable to find an alternative childcare arrangement. This arrangement is not intended to substitute for regular childcare or schooling.

(10) The University will reasonably consider requests from staff and students to bring their child into the work and teaching environments and will balance the request with work health and safety requirements of the area and the rights of others in their work and study environment.

(11) Parents, guardians and/or carers are not to bring a child with an infectious disease onto the campus.

(12) Parents, guardians and/or carers who are staff of the university have access to carers leave and flexible work arrangements. Leave should be accessed to support emergency carer responsibilities.

(13) Breastfeeding at the University is supported. Breaks from work and class to breastfeed should be discussed with supervisors and lecturers. See the Breastfeeding in the Workplace Guidelines for more guidance. 

Section 5 - Workplace Health and Safety

(14) The University recognises it has a legal responsibility to ensure a safe environment for staff, students, and visitors. This is set out under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW).

(15) The University’s duty of care extends to all members of the campus community – staff, students, and visitors. Recognising the potential hazards occurring in the University environment and the diverse nature of the campus community, the University needs to take all reasonably practicable steps to provide and maintain a safe and healthy environment. Provision of a safe environment for children is an integral part of the University’s responsibility under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, as well as under a general duty of care.

(16) To meet our safety obligations, children are prohibited in the following areas:  

1. laboratories;
2. trades workshops;
3. clinical areas;
4. kitchens;
5. construction sites or areas with minor works or maintenance taking place;
6. machinery areas and areas where grounds equipment is in use;
7. art studios;
8. areas displaying inappropriate or graphic material;
9. storage facilities, storerooms, or plant rooms;
10. areas which store chemicals and/or dangerous goods;
11. areas licensed to sell alcohol unless accompanied by an adult; and
12. other areas potentially hazardous to children.  

Section 6 - Request and Approval

(17) For a staff member to make a request for their child to attend the workplace, they must:  

1. speak to their supervisor and seek approval prior to the child attending the workplace; 
2. outline the reason and length of time the child will need to accompany the staff member; and 
3. ensure minimal disruption to others in the workplace.  

(18) For a student to make a request for their child to attend the classroom or other study environment, they must:  

1. make a written request to the relevant lecturer or subject coordinator prior to the child attending the classroom or study environment; 
2. outline the reason and length of time the child will need to accompany the student; and
3. ensure minimal disruption to others in the study environment. 

(19) Supervisors and lecturers will reasonably consider requests from staff or students, respectively, to bring children into a classroom or the workplace.  

Section 7 - Factors to consider when Assessing a Request

(20) Requests by students or staff to bring their children onto the University will be handled with sensitivity and reasonableness. 

(21) The presence of children may be permitted subject to the notion of reasonableness, which may include, among other things:  

1. safety of the child in the relevant environment (some areas are prohibited under all circumstances);
2. degree of interference with other staff or students;
3. whether the child is sick and their level of contagion;
4. whether the child is being breastfed;
5. age of the child;
6. length of time involved and/or frequency of attendance;
7. content of lecture and/or discussion (certain sensitive or explicit subject matter may not be appropriate);
8. size of rooms/availability of seating;
9. notification to the lecturer or supervisor; and
10. continued reasonable behaviour by the child.

Section 8 - Withdrawal of Permission

(22) The person in charge of the study environment or workplace has the right to direct parents, guardians and/or carers to remove their child from any area of the campus.

(23) A parent, guardian and/or carer may be directed to remove a child from the workplace, classroom or other University space by a lecturer, supervisor, or officer of the University if:

1. the child’s health or safety is at risk;
2. the child is a health or safety risk to others;
3. the child’s behaviour is causing undue disruption to the work or study of staff or students; or
4. the presence of a child is inappropriate to the work and study being undertaken.

(24) Supervisors/lecturers have the right to refuse permission for parents, guardians and/or carers to bring a child into any area within the University because of concerns related to health and safety issues or the type of work or study being undertaken, including examinations and meetings.

Section 9 - Appeals

(25) If students are of the view that permission has been unreasonably refused, they should refer the matter to the Head of Department or Unit for review of the decision. In reviewing the decision, the Head of Department or Unit may seek the view of the relevant Head of Students before making a final decision. The matter should close at this point.

(26) If a staff member considers that their immediate supervisor has unreasonably refused permission under this procedure, they should refer the matter to the person at the next supervisory level. In reviewing the decision, this supervisor may seek the view of the Chief People and Culture Officer before making a final decision. The matter should close at this point.

Section 10 - Definitions

(27) Not Available.