6.8      PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS

 DATED:             January 2006

SOURCED: Queensland Child Care Act Legislation 2002 and Regulation 2003, Queensland Department of Communities

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POLICY

The participation of students and volunteers within the scheme may occur from time to time. Students may wish to observe and experience the provision of child care in a home based setting and this will be encouraged and facilitated whenever possible.

The participation of volunteers from within the community will be facilitated where appropriate.

PROCEDURES

a) Prior to any participation in the scheme, a student or volunteer must be in possession of a Suitability Card issued by the Commissioner for Children and Young People.

b) A student or volunteer must understand and acknowledge the requirement for confidentiality of all information relating to carers and families within the scheme.

c) A student or volunteer will be provided with a copy of scheme Policy, a child protection kit, and must agree to abide by the requirements of Bayside Family Day Care Policy and the Child Care Act 2002 and Child Care Regulation 2003.

d) Should a student or volunteer request placement within a family day care home, the carer will be consulted and may choose to accept or reject such placement.

e) In the event that a carer accepts the placement of a student or a volunteer, parents/guardians of all  children in care with that carer must be informed in advance of the fact and requested to sign specific written permission for this placement. Should any parent/guardian decline to sign such permission, the placement will not proceed.

f) Students and volunteers will be provided with child protection training and will not be permitted to provide any type of personal care to children in care, and are not to be left alone with any child at any time.