Code of Conduct Policy

Purpose:

Maruma-li Community Ministries Pty Ltd (MCM) seeks to provide a safe culture and environment, to work and serve in, with particularly attention given to the young and vulnerable persons in our community. It is important to us that we have a policy that addresses the minimum expectations of a worker or volunteer’s conduct while working and/or volunteering with us.

Policy:

ALL workers and volunteers with MCM are required to sign and abide by a Code of Conduct, whether they are operating in a child related role or not.

As MCM also engages a number of young persons under the age of 18 to be involved in leadership / supervision tasks, as Junior Leaders. Junior Leaders are also required to sign the Code of Conduct statement, along with a Recognition of Responsibility to be signed by a parent / caregiver of that young person.

In conjunction with the Code of Conduct workers / volunteers who provide direct supports to children under the age of 18 and/or vulnerable persons, are required to undergo Safe Ministry Training. Adults, 18 years of age and over are required to complete our online Safe Ministry Training through Safe Ministry Check, and their training records be stored on our database with their Working with Children check verification.

MCM Code of Conduct Requirement	Safe Ministry Check Training Level (Minimum Requirement)
(Paid Worker) MCM Adult Code of Conduct – Acknowledgement & Agreement	Staff / Board Members Course
(Volunteer) MCM Adult Code of Conduct – Acknowledgement & Agreement	Leaders / Volunteers
MCM Child Code of Conduct (13-17 years of age) – Acknowledgement & Agreement   Recognition of Responsibility Form (By Parent/Caregiver)	MCM’s Safe Ministry provided video training

Each programme run by MCM will have a list of associated staff with that programme, noting the start date of their engagement in that programme.

Safe Ministry Training is to be completed every two years, however, a review of Vulnerable Persons & Child Safe Policies is to be completed every year. Safe Ministry Training will be provided at the beginning of every year, alongside the Vision & Planning Day.

Consequences for Breach of Code of Conduct

The consequences for breaching the Code of Conduct will be in accordance with our Safe Ministry Incident Reporting Policy & Process, and if applicable the MCM Employment Termination Policy.

If the person who has breached the Code of Conduct is a young person (under the age of 18) the responsible adult who has signed the Recognition of Responsibility will be the main point of contact to process the allegation of a breach.

If the breach of the policy is considered to be Reportable Misconduct, MCM is required to be compliant with all legislation and report to appropriate organisations including:

• NSW Police Force
• Office of the Children’s Guardian
• Department of Communities & Justice

Related documents:

MCM Adult Code of Conduct – Acknowledgement & Agreement

MCM Child Code of Conduct (13-17 years of age) – Acknowledgement & Agreement

MCM Employment Termination Policy

Safe Ministry Incident Reporting Policy

Safe Ministry Incident Reporting Process

……………..………………………………… Signed: Paul Strahan – Director

22/08/2024 ……………………………….. Date

Schedule of Alterations for Policy

Policy Initially Approved: 01/02/2023

Date Alteration Approved	Comments of Alteration	Signed by Director
4/3/2023	Minor wording and grammar adjustments & inclusion of current Code of Conduct statement as listed on SafeMnistryCheck.	Paul Strahan
22/08/2024	Reviewed policy and made minor adjustments in terms of classifications. Included the need for all Paid Staff to complete Staff / Board Members Safe Ministry Training every 2 years.	Paul Strahan
01/04/2025	Update Header Logo	Erin Strahan