Child Safe and Vulnerable People Policy

As a division of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Questacon is committed to the Department’s Child Safe and Vulnerable People Policy. This policy outlines our staff and volunteer responsibilities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of young children, young people and vulnerable people.

Questacon provides a safe environment that protects all children, young people and vulnerable people from harm or risk of harm. This includes complying with the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework, the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and relevant state and/or territory legislation.

In relation to the planning and presentation of programs and exhibits for schools and/or families, Questacon ensures:

• All staff and volunteers hold a valid Working with Vulnerable People card in accordance with ACT legislative requirements that is always worn with their staff identification lanyard when working in Questacon public areas.

• Questacon staff touring, conducting workshops, or delivering pop up exhibitions across Australia will hold the relevant state or territory Working with Children Check Card that can be produced on request (noting that this card may be known be different names according to the jurisdiction, including a Blue Card, and an Ochre Card).

• All staff have obtained a baseline security clearance as part of their initial employment, which includes a National Police Check. 

• All volunteers have undertaken National Police Checks.

• All contractors hold a valid Working with Vulnerable People card or the relevant interstate equivalent Working with Children Check Card. These cards can be produced on request. 

• An up-to-date register of all Working with Vulnerable People cards held by staff, volunteers, and contractors is maintained by the Questacon Work Health and Safety Team. 

• All staff and volunteers have completed annual Child Safety Framework training. 

At Questacon, the safety and well-being of children is paramount. We are committed to fostering a culture that upholds the rights of children, young people, and vulnerable people to feel and be safe. We strive to create a welcoming environment where every child can engage in science and learning in a fun, positive, and safe way.