All people, regardless of their age, gender, race, religious beliefs, ability, sexual orientation, or family or social background, have equal rights to protection from abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Common Ground Queensland is committed to promoting and protecting the welfare and human rights of people living in or visiting Common Ground Queensland supportive housing properties – particularly those that might be at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
All staff, volunteers, partners and third parties of Common Ground Queensland share responsibility for protecting everyone from abuse, neglect or exploitation. Common Ground Queensland is committed to implementing the Safeguarding Policy and to training our employees, directors, contractors and volunteers in its content and application.
1. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All tenants and visitors of Common Ground Queensland supportive housing properties
- All staff (employees and volunteers[1]), directors, contractors, partners[2] and associates[3] within Common Ground Queensland or engaged by Common Ground Queensland.
2. Definitions
‘Safeguarding’ means protecting the welfare and human rights of people that interact with, or are affected by, Common Ground Queensland, particularly those that might be at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation. This refers to any responsibility or measure undertaken to protect a person from harm.
People who may be particularly at risk can include:
- People who are aged or frail
- People with impaired intellectual or physical functioning
- People from a low socio-economic background
- People who have experienced trauma
- People with poor physical or mental health
- People from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background
- People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- People with low levels of literacy or education.
‘Abuse, neglect or exploitation’ means all forms of physical and mental abuse, exploitation, coercion or ill-treatment. Incidents of harm may include:
- Sexual harassment, bullying or abuse
[1] Includes students and interns.
[2] Partners refers to agencies that Common Ground Queensland has an official arrangement with via signed MOU, Partnership Agreement or Contract to implement or deliver Common Ground Queensland programs, projects and initiatives.
[3] Associates refers to consultants, suppliers, visitors to our programs (including media), advisory group members, supporters and any other individuals or groups that have been brought into contact with children or vulnerable adults (including their personal information and images) while working with and/or supporting Common Ground Queensland.
Version 1.0