Child Safety at JAWS Driver Training

At JAWS Driver Training, we recognise that the safety, wellbeing and dignity of children and young people must be protected at all times.

As a driving school that provides instruction to learner drivers under the age of 18, including individual one-on-one lessons, we have a responsibility to create an environment where every young person feels safe, respected, heard and supported.

Our instructors, employees, contractors and other representatives are expected to conduct themselves professionally and responsibly and to maintain appropriate boundaries whenever they interact with children and young people.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

JAWS Driver Training is committed to creating and maintaining a child-safe environment by:

·       putting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people at the centre of our services

·       treating every learner with dignity, fairness and respect

·       maintaining appropriate professional boundaries in person and online

·       ensuring instructors communicate and behave in a professional and age-appropriate manner

·       taking all child safety concerns, disclosures and complaints seriously

·       responding to concerns in a timely, appropriate and respectful way

·       encouraging learners, parents, carers and other people to speak up when something does not feel right

·       continually reviewing our practices to identify and reduce potential risks to children and young people.

Our Expectations During Driving Lessons

Driving lessons involving learners under 18 are to be conducted in a manner that promotes safety, professionalism and mutual respect.

Instructors are expected to:

·       keep interactions with learners focused on driving instruction and learner development

·       use language and behaviour that is appropriate, respectful and professional

·       maintain clear and appropriate boundaries with learners

·       avoid behaviour that could reasonably be considered inappropriate, intimidating, overly personal or uncomfortable

·       protect the learner’s personal information and respect their privacy

·       remain alert to any concerns regarding a learner’s safety or wellbeing

·       report and appropriately respond to any behaviour or circumstances that may present a child safety concern.

These expectations apply not only while a learner is in the training vehicle, but also to other interactions and communications connected with JAWS Driver Training.

Communication with Young Learners

Communication between instructors and learners should be appropriate to the professional relationship and primarily related to driving lessons, bookings, learning progress and other legitimate training matters.

Instructors must exercise particular care when communicating with learners under 18 and should use approved or appropriate communication methods wherever possible.

Personal, inappropriate or unnecessary communication that could blur professional boundaries is not acceptable.

Privacy and Confidentiality

JAWS Driver Training respects the privacy of children, young people and their families.

Personal information obtained through the provision of driving lessons will be handled responsibly and only used or disclosed for legitimate business, safety, legal or regulatory purposes.

Information relating to a child safety concern will be managed sensitively and in accordance with applicable privacy and reporting requirements.

Confidentiality does not prevent JAWS Driver Training from taking appropriate action where information needs to be shared to protect a child or young person or to meet a legal obligation.

Speaking Up About Child Safety

We encourage learners, parents, carers, family members and other members of the community to raise concerns if they believe a child or young person may have experienced, or may be at risk of experiencing, inappropriate behaviour or harm.

Concerns may relate to an instructor, employee, contractor, communication, lesson, online interaction or any other aspect of our services.

Examples of concerns that should be raised include:

·       behaviour that appears inappropriate or unsafe

·       concerns about professional boundaries

·       inappropriate conversations, messages or online communication

·       conduct that causes a learner to feel uncomfortable, pressured, intimidated or unsafe

·       suspected abuse, neglect or other harm

·       any other behaviour that does not appear consistent with our commitment to child safety.

How to Report a Concern

Concerns can be reported directly to JAWS Driver Training:

Email: jacqui@jawsdt.com.au
Child Safety Lead: 0412 619 706

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

All concerns will be treated seriously and assessed promptly. Appropriate action will be taken based on the nature and circumstances of the concern, including referral to relevant authorities where required.

Creating a Child-Safe Culture

Child safety is the responsibility of everyone involved with JAWS Driver Training.

We are committed to establishing a culture in which children and young people are treated with respect and feel comfortable raising concerns. We also expect our instructors and representatives to understand their responsibilities and to act whenever they become aware of a potential child safety issue.

Our child safety approach is supported by relevant policies, procedures, reporting arrangements, professional standards and risk management practices.

JAWS Driver Training is committed to meeting its responsibilities under applicable Queensland child safety requirements, including the Queensland Child Safe Standards, and to regularly reviewing our practices to ensure that child safety remains an integral part of our business.

Our Promise

Every learner deserves to undertake their driving education in an environment that is safe, respectful, professional and supportive.

At JAWS Driver Training, we are committed to doing our part to protect children and young people, maintaining appropriate professional standards and responding appropriately whenever a concern is raised.

The safety, wellbeing and dignity of every learner matters to us.