Child Safety Policy

1.1 Good Noise Project ("we", "us") is committed to protecting the rights, safety and wellbeing of all children and young people who participate in our programs and workshops.

1.2 Good Noise Project is a Perth-based, sole-facilitator youth music program run by Dave Sonntag, delivering songwriting and music workshops to young people in Western Australia.

2.1 This policy sets out our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who take part in Good Noise Project programs, and explains how we work to keep them safe.

2.2 This policy seeks to:

• demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people involved in our programs;
• create an environment where children, young people and their families feel confident raising any concern with us;
• maintain physical and online environments that are safe for children and young people; and
• ensure that any suspected abuse, allegation, safety concern or disclosure is taken seriously and responded to appropriately.

3.1 For the purpose of this policy, a child or young person is any person under the age of 18 years.

3.2 This policy applies to all Good Noise Project programs and workshops, and to Dave Sonntag as the sole facilitator of those programs.

3.3 All children and young people who participate in Good Noise programs have a right to feel safe, respected and included, regardless of their background, ability or identity.

3.4 We have zero tolerance for abuse of children or young people. Any allegation or safety concern will be treated extremely seriously and, where required, reported to the appropriate authorities.

If you believe a child or young person is in immediate danger, call 000.

3.5 We do not tolerate bullying, discrimination, or any other conduct that puts the health, safety or wellbeing of a child or young person at risk.

4.1 Good Noise Project is run by a single facilitator, Dave Sonntag, who holds a current Working with Children Check (WWCC), renewed in line with WA requirements.

4.2 Good Noise Project does not currently engage other workers, volunteers or subcontractors to deliver programs, so this policy does not include recruitment or screening procedures for additional staff. Should that change in future, this policy will be updated accordingly.

5.1 If Dave becomes aware of, or has reasonable grounds to suspect, abuse or a risk to a child or young person's safety, this will be reported in line with Western Australia's Children and Community Services Act 2004 and to the appropriate WA authorities, which may include WA Police and/or the Department of Communities (Child Protection and Family Support).

5.2 Where a program is delivered at a school or another organisation's premises, any concern will also be raised with the relevant supervising teacher or staff member on-site, where appropriate.

5.3 Where there is an immediate threat to a child or young person's safety, police will be contacted first, ahead of any other reporting step.

6.1 Good Noise Project takes reasonable steps to identify and reduce risks to children and young people participating in our programs, across both our physical and online environments.

Physical environment

6.2 Workshops are run in a supervised, appropriate venue for the size and age of the group, with clear visibility throughout the space.

Online environment

6.3 Where any online or digital communication is needed with a participant, this is directed through a parent or guardian wherever possible. Good Noise Project does not communicate privately with a child or young person outside of appropriate, parent/guardian-included channels.

7.1 Personal information collected about children and young people (including through our intake process) is used only to plan and safely run Good Noise Project programs, and is kept confidential.

7.2 This information is not shared beyond what's necessary to deliver a program safely, or as required by law.

8.1 If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person in connection with Good Noise Project, please contact us.

9.1 This policy is reviewed periodically to make sure it stays current and continues to reflect good practice.