Code of Conduct

Our Commitment to Child Safety

At the International Wing Chun Academy, we are committed to supporting the safety of all children, with a zero-tolerance approach to abuse. This includes maintaining a culture that encourages and supports the prevention and reporting of abuse.

All staff, trainers and volunteers are responsible for promoting the safety, well-being and empowerment of children. This includes understanding and responding to children's diverse needs and cultural considerations.

Our Child Safe Code of Conduct outlines how we expect adults at the Academy to behave around children, aiming to prevent harm and abuse in our physical spaces and online.

This Code of Conduct identifies:

• 'I will' child safe behaviours that we consider acceptable.
• 'I won't' behaviours that we consider unacceptable.

Engaging in unacceptable behaviour is a breach of our Child Safe Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary action.

Definitions of Child Harm and Abuse

Please refer to our Child Safe Policy for examples of the different types of child harm and abuse.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Behaviours

The list of acceptable and unacceptable behaviours below pertains to interactions between staff, trainers, volunteers, and children who engage with the Academy's services, locations, or activities.

I will:

• Treat all children with respect.
• Uphold the rights of the child and always prioritise their needs.
• Ensure that the needs of all children remain the paramount focus of all decision-making.
• Listen to and value the ideas and opinions of all children, and respond to them respectfully and appropriately.
• Welcome all children and their families and carers, and ask them to participate in decisions around child safety.
• Actively promote safe and inclusive practices for all children, including those with diverse needs, circumstances and backgrounds, including children with disability.
• Adhere to the Academy's child safe policies, procedures and practices.
• Participate in all compulsory child safe training.
• Include a child's parent or carer in any direct online communication or correspondence.
• Notify the Academy of any out-of-hours contact with children in our care or those who interact with our services, ensuring there is a valid reason for this contact and that parents or carers are also informed.
• Take all reasonable steps to protect children from harm and abuse, and report and act on any concerns or allegations (see reporting obligations below).
• Report any conflicts of interest, such as a relationship with a child that is outside the Academy.
• Raise concerns with the leadership team if risks to child safety are identified.
• Take a child seriously if they disclose harm or abuse and follow the correct procedures for responding to a disclosure.
• Ensure that breaches of the Child Safe Code of Conduct and any instances of concerning behaviour from adults are reported promptly.
• Respect the privacy of children and their families, and maintain the confidentiality of all information related to child protection concerns.

I won't:

• Condone or participate in unsafe, harmful or abusive behaviour towards children, including psychological, physical and sexual abuse, grooming, misconduct or lack of appropriate care.
• Ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse.
• Exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues.
• Persistently criticise or denigrate a child.
• Use hurtful, discriminatory or offensive behaviour or language with children.
• Verbally assault a child, or create a climate of fear.
• Deliberately prevent a child from forming friendships.
• Engage in unwarranted and inappropriate touching involving a child.
• Be alone with a child without supervision or adequate risk management in place.
• Have contact after hours with children.
• Encourage a child to communicate with me in a private setting, including online or on social media.
• Give personal gifts or benefits of any kind to a child unless the parent or carer has given direct permission.
• Share details of sexual experiences with a child.
• Use sexual language or gestures in the presence of children.
• Show sexual, violent or other inappropriate images to a child.
• Take videos or images of children interacting with the Academy, or under its care, on a personal device without the Academy's permission.
• Share videos or images of children on social media without consent.
• Fail to report information to police or other relevant authorities if I know a child has been harmed or abused (see reporting obligations below).

Concerning Behaviours

Concerning behaviours are behaviours that, on their own, may not constitute a breach of our Child Safe Code of Conduct, but when viewed together, may indicate grooming behaviour.

• Showing favour to one child over others.
• Babysitting or minding children without prior consent from the Academy (babysitting outside the organisation is only allowed in exceptional circumstances when the child and their family or carer is known to have a pre-existing relationship with the staff member, trainer or volunteer outside the organisation).
• Participating in the lives of children outside the Academy without a valid reason.
• Crossing professional boundaries with the children in our care.
• Spending time alone with children.
• Being 'child-centric' or showing a preference for hanging out with children rather than adults.

Internal and External Reporting Obligations

You must follow all internal and external reporting obligations set out in the Academy's Child Safe Reporting Policy.

Criminal Offences for Failing to Protect Children

Some breaches of this code of conduct may need to be reported to the NSW Police, the Office of the Children's Guardian or the Department of Communities and Justice.

In addition, people employed in child-related work may be subject to a criminal offence if they fail to reduce or remove the risk of a child becoming a victim of child abuse.

The adult concerned should reach out to the Training Supervisor if they are unsure about what needs to be reported externally.

General Breaches of Our Child Safe Code of Conduct

If a staff, trainer or volunteer (1) breaches our Child Safe Code of Conduct, or (2) exhibits patterns of concerning behaviour, and does not commit a criminal offence, they may be subject to the following disciplinary action:

• Increased supervision.
• Appointment to a different role.
• Suspension or termination of their role.
• Expulsion from the Academy.

Review Log

• Last reviewed: 1 February 2026
• Next review date: 1 February 2027, or earlier if any critical incidents occur.
• Responsible officer: Tristan Fung, Training Supervisor.
• Contact information: Please contact us