• Section 1 - Purpose of Policy
• Section 2 - Application and Scope - Exclusions or Special Conditions
• Section 3 - Policy Principles
• Section 4 - Workplace Health and Safety
• Section 5 - For Students
• Section 6 - For Staff
• Section 7 - IT Facilities
• Section 8 - Factors Taken into Account when Assessing a Request
• Section 9 - Infections and Diseases
• Section 10 - Withdrawal of Permission
• Section 11 - Appeals
• Section 12 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 13 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose of Policy

(1) The University seeks to provide a family friendly workplace and study environment. This Policy supports this aim and also recognises the University’s duty of care as a responsible employer. This Policy seeks to strike a balance between the safety of children on campus, limiting their exposure to risks, whilst maintaining equity standards. This Policy seeks to address both occupational health and safety and equal opportunity issues.

Section 2 - Application and Scope - Exclusions or Special Conditions

(2) This Policy applies to members of staff, students and visitors of the University.

(3) This Policy applies to any person who has care and control of a child on the University campuses. Where the University shares the campus with another provider or other entity, this policy applies to the work and study areas operated by the University.

(4) This Policy applies to breastfeeding mothers.

(5) This Policy applies to staff and students of the Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong.

(6) This Policy applies to the University staff and students at the Innovation Campus (iC).

(7) This Policy excludes visitors to the Science Centre where access and supervision guidelines for children, parents and guardians are clear and well advertised.

(8) Where this Policy defines a word or expression, that word or expression shall have the corresponding meaning whether expressed in upper case or lower case.

Section 3 - Policy Principles

(9) Parents or guardians retain primary responsibility for the safety and supervision of a child in their care. They must ensure supervision of the child at all times. Parents or guardians should not request or expect staff or students to look after a child.

(10) Breastfeeding is supported. Breaks from work and class to breastfeed should be discussed with supervisors and lecturers.

(11) Parents or guardians who are staff of the University will have access to carers leave and flexible work arrangements under the University’s employment framework. Leave should be accessed to support emergency carer responsibilities.

(12) The University has occupational health and safety policies on the provision of a safe working environment for staff, students and visitors. However, the presence of children on campus raises specific issues for staff, students and the University. There is a need for regulation as well as discretion and ‘reasonableness’ in meeting the expectations of parents or guardians, and expectations of those making decisions about allowing children into the work and study environment.

(13) The University recognises that:

1. there is a longstanding University culture in which many students and staff bring their children on campus on occasions;
2. the safety of all persons on campus, including children, is of the utmost importance;
3. the education function and effective operation of the University must be maintained and the presence of children on campus must be accommodated within this requirement; and
4. there is a need to identify the responsibilities of the person supervising the children, the requisite level of supervision, appropriate areas for children and inappropriate areas, or circumstances for children to be present.

Section 4 - 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.

(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 WHS obligations children will not normally be permitted in areas where risks are present including the following areas:

1. science type 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, store rooms or plant rooms;
10. areas which store chemicals and dangerous goods;
11. areas licensed to sell alcohol unless accompanied by an adult (applies to children under 18 years of age); and
12. other areas potentially hazardous to children.

(17) Children, in the context of this Policy, who accompany their parents or guardians to the University, are not permitted to enter or observe anatomy laboratories.

Section 5 - For Students

(18) In circumstances which are unforeseen and/or unavoidable and where they are unable to make alternative arrangements, students may need to take their child into a class. A request for permission for a child to accompany a student to class is to be directed to the relevant lecturer or person in charge of the activity at the time. This should not be seen as an alternative to regular child care arrangements.

(19) It must be ensured that the presence of children accompanying students to University does not disrupt the normal business of the University.

(20) Permission shall not be unreasonably withheld. An appeal process is provided in section 11.

Section 6 - For Staff

(21) From time to time, a child may accompany a staff member to work. However, this should not be seen as an alternative to regular child care arrangements. Permission to have children in the workplace must be obtained from the relevant supervisor.

(22) It must be ensured that the presence of children in the University does not disrupt the normal business of the University, including the work of any staff member. Additionally, parents or guardians have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the child in the University environment. Particular attention must be paid to the potentially hazardous areas listed in section 4.

(23) Permission shall not be unreasonably withheld. An appeal process is provided in section 11.

Section 7 - IT Facilities

(24) Staff and students should be aware of the IT Acceptable Use Policy if children are using University computers and equipment.

Section 8 - Factors Taken into Account when Assessing a Request

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

(26) 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 “no go” areas under all circumstances);
2. degree of interference with other staff or students;
3. others are not being interrupted and/or inconvenienced by the child;
4. whether the child is sick and their level of contagion;
5. whether the child is being breast fed;
6. age of the child;
7. length of time involved and/or frequency of attendance;
8. content of lecture, discussion (certain sensitive or explicit subject matter may upset the child);
9. size of tutorial rooms/availability of seating;
10. notification to the lecturer or supervisor; and
11. continued reasonable behaviour by the child.

Section 9 - Infections and Diseases

(27) Children who are known to have a contagious disease should not be brought onto University grounds to prevent exposure of others to health risks.

(28) A number of childhood diseases are extremely contagious and can create serious health risk to adults, including staff and students. Parents or guardians of sick children have a particular responsibility to make appropriate care arrangements, which will not adversely affect the health of others.

Section 10 - Withdrawal of Permission

(29) Where a child has become disruptive, is inconveniencing or distracting staff in the workplace or students in the study environment, a parent or guardian may be required to remove the child.

(30) The person in charge of the study environment or workplace has the right to request the parent or guardian to remove the child in these circumstances.

(31) Alternative permission/reporting arrangements, consistent with the intent of this Policy, may be made if existing reporting structures or other circumstances require.

Section 11 - Appeals

(32) 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.

(33) If a member of staff considers that their immediate supervisor has unreasonably refused permission under this policy, they should refer the matter to the person at the next supervisory level. In reviewing the decision, the 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 12 - Roles and Responsibilities

(34) Roles and responsibilities are as detailed in this Policy.

Section 13 - Definitions