Hey Learners,

It is an unfortunate reality that not all workplaces will be consistently safe. Students may display inappropriate or challenging behaviours. Inappropriate behaviour is defined as occurring “when one party does not consent to expressions or action from another person”.

When working with youth and children, you may find students who are not respectful of your role or your wellbeing. Some may push boundaries through verbal harassment or intimidation, while others may escalate to threatening physical violence. If these situations occur, it is important to ensure your organisation will support you and can handle these situations effectively.

Building a healthy, respectful, and safe culture in the workplace is key to preventing misconduct before it happens. Workplaces can do this by:

• Establishing clear safety polices and codes of conduct for both staff and students
• Providing training for staff to understand policies and codes of conducts, recognise when situations are unsafe and how to manage theirs and other’s safety, and handle the aftermath effectively
• Prioritising prevention strategies, early intervention, and specialist services and staff when working with children and students with the potential for misconduct
• Implementing disciplinary measures for misconduct and providing support to victims, including access to resources such as counselling or supervision
• Keeping detailed records of instances of challenging behaviour and management responses for monitoring students’ behaviour and wellbeing, as well as ensuring consistent responses and their effectiveness
• Building a culture of safety that priorities education, empathy, and respect. This involves ensuring that boundaries are respected and that people have the right to advocate for themselves

Every person has the right to feel safe at their workplace. You can access further resources through organisations such as unions, Safe Work Australia, and other government agencies. You can also access guidance material on preventing workplace violence and aggression here.

Remember to stay safe, learners!