Zero Point Yoga

Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy

Last updated: 29 October 2026

Our commitment to child safety

At Zero Point Yoga, we believe every child and young person has the right to feel safe, respected, included and supported.

We are committed to creating a welcoming environment where children can explore movement, develop confidence, connect with others and participate without fear of harm.

We have zero tolerance for child abuse, exploitation, neglect, harassment, bullying, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour.

Child safety is a shared responsibility. It is a priority in our leadership, teaching, recruitment, everyday decision-making and community relationships.

This policy supports our obligations under the Victorian Child Safe Standards and other applicable child protection laws.

For the purpose of this policy, a child or young person means anyone under 18 years of age.

1. Cultural safety, diversity and inclusion

Zero Point Yoga is committed to respecting the rights, identities, cultures and experiences of all children and young people.

We recognise the importance of cultural safety for Aboriginal children and young people and seek to create an environment in which their identities, cultures and connections to community are respected and valued.

We welcome children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disability, children of all genders and identities, and children experiencing different personal or family circumstances.

Discrimination, racism, exclusion and harassment are not tolerated.

We will consider reasonable adjustments and individual support needs to promote safe, equitable participation.

2. Leadership and accountability

Studio management is responsible for promoting a culture of child safety and ensuring appropriate safeguarding arrangements are maintained.

Child safety responsibilities include:

• Establishing clear expectations for staff, teachers, contractors and volunteers.
• Maintaining appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Identifying and managing risks to children.
• Responding promptly to concerns and disclosures.
• Supporting appropriate recruitment, screening and training.
• Reviewing safeguarding arrangements regularly.

Everyone working within Zero Point Yoga has a responsibility to help protect children and young people from harm.

3. Children's rights and participation

Children have the right to:

• Feel safe and respected.
• Be treated fairly and without discrimination.
• Understand what is happening in their class or activity.
• Express their needs, preferences and boundaries.
• Decline physical contact or an activity that makes them uncomfortable.
• Ask questions and raise concerns.
• Be listened to and taken seriously.
• Receive appropriate support if they feel unsafe.

Teachers should encourage age-appropriate communication, choice and participation.

A child's concerns must never be dismissed simply because of their age.

4. Families and guardians

We value open, respectful communication with parents, carers and guardians.

Families are encouraged to provide relevant information about their child's wellbeing, health, support needs and safety.

Where appropriate, parents and guardians will be involved in decisions affecting their child's participation.

If a child requires additional support during a class, teachers will respond sensitively and discuss practical options with the family.

This may include asking a parent or guardian to remain present, providing additional support or recommending an alternative class arrangement.

Any decision will prioritise the child's safety, dignity and inclusion.

5. Safe recruitment and screening

Zero Point Yoga recognises the importance of engaging suitable people to work with children.

Recruitment and engagement processes for relevant roles will include appropriate checks, references and screening.

Staff, teachers, contractors and volunteers must hold a valid Working with Children Check or other legally recognised clearance wherever required for their duties.

Child safety expectations will form part of relevant induction, supervision and ongoing professional development.

6. Code of conduct

All staff, teachers, contractors and volunteers must:

• Treat children with care, dignity, patience and respect.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Use respectful, age-appropriate communication.
• Avoid favouritism, humiliation, intimidation or inappropriate discipline.
• Never engage in sexualised conduct, grooming, exploitation or inappropriate personal relationships with children.
• Avoid unnecessary one-to-one situations in isolated or private spaces.
• Never use private digital communications to establish inappropriate personal contact with a child.
• Respect personal space and physical boundaries.
• Follow all reporting and safeguarding procedures.
• Raise concerns about unsafe conduct promptly.

7. Physical adjustments and consent

Yoga may involve demonstrations, positioning guidance or optional hands-on adjustments.

When teaching children:

• Teachers must prioritise verbal guidance and demonstration wherever appropriate.
• Any proposed physical assistance must have a clear instructional or safety purpose.
• Consent must be obtained before physical contact.
• A child's refusal must always be respected.
• Physical assistance must be appropriate, professional and never intrusive.
• Children must not be forced into postures or movements.
• Pain, distress or discomfort must be taken seriously.
• Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

8. Safe teaching and supervision

Classes and activities involving children will be planned with consideration for participants' ages, abilities, experience and support needs.

Teachers must maintain appropriate supervision and be attentive to signs of distress, injury, exhaustion or discomfort.

Appropriate procedures will be maintained for attendance, emergency contacts and responding to safety incidents.

Children must not be left in unsafe or unsupervised circumstances while participating in activities for which Zero Point Yoga has accepted responsibility.

9. Photography, privacy and online safety

We respect children's privacy and right to control how their images and personal information are used.

Children must not be photographed, filmed or recorded for promotional purposes without appropriate parent or guardian consent and consideration of the child's own wishes.

Teachers and staff must not share images of children through personal social media accounts or other unauthorised channels.

Children's personal information will be handled securely, accessed only for appropriate purposes and disclosed only when authorised or legally required.

Online interactions with children must remain professional, transparent and appropriate.

10. Identifying and responding to concerns

Any concern, disclosure, complaint or allegation involving child safety will be treated seriously.

If a child tells a teacher or staff member that they feel unsafe or have experienced harm, the adult should:

• Listen calmly and respectfully.
• Reassure the child that raising their concern was the right thing to do.
• Avoid blaming, pressuring or making promises of absolute secrecy.
• Record the information accurately and objectively.
• Report the concern through the appropriate safeguarding process.
• Prioritise the child's immediate safety and wellbeing.
• Avoid conducting their own investigation or asking unnecessary leading questions.

Concerns involving suspected abuse, grooming, neglect, inappropriate behaviour or serious safety risks must be escalated promptly.

Where required by law, Zero Point Yoga will notify police, child protection authorities or relevant regulators.

Reporting to studio management does not replace any individual legal obligation to report to authorities.

11. Complaints and reporting

Children, parents, carers, staff and members of the community are encouraged to raise any concerns about child safety.

Concerns can be raised with studio management by emailing:

info@zeropointyoga.net

Complaints may relate to:

• Inappropriate behaviour by an adult or another child.
• Bullying, discrimination or harassment.
• Unsafe teaching practices or supervision.
• Inappropriate physical contact.
• Concerns about privacy, photography or online contact.
• Suspected abuse or neglect.
• Any situation in which a child feels unsafe.

Concerns will be treated respectfully and handled as confidentially as reasonably possible, while allowing necessary action, reporting and information sharing.

No person will be disadvantaged for raising a genuine child safety concern.

If the concern involves a person responsible for receiving complaints, the matter may be reported directly to police, child protection or the relevant regulatory authority.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 000.

For concerns about child abuse or neglect, Victoria Police or the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Child Protection service may be contacted as appropriate.

12. Recordkeeping and confidentiality

Records of child safety concerns, incidents, complaints and responses will be maintained securely.

Information will only be shared with people who need it to support safety, respond appropriately or meet legal obligations.

Records will be retained and managed in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

13. Risk management

Zero Point Yoga will identify and manage risks to children within its activities and environments.

These include risks associated with:

• Physical teaching and hands-on adjustments.
• Inadequate supervision.
• Private or isolated interactions.
• Studio facilities and equipment.
• Photography and online communication.
• Access to personal information.
• Excursions, special events or external activities.
• Inappropriate conduct by adults or peers.

Safeguarding measures will be reviewed when services, activities or circumstances change.

14. Training and continuous improvement

Staff and teachers working with children will receive appropriate information about child safety responsibilities, professional conduct, recognising concerns and reporting procedures.

Zero Point Yoga will review its child safety arrangements regularly and following significant incidents or relevant changes in law.

Feedback from children, families, staff and the wider community will be considered when improving safeguarding practices.

15. Our ongoing commitment

Child safety is not simply a policy document. It is a responsibility reflected in our relationships, teaching, communication and decision-making.

We want every child and young person who enters Zero Point Yoga to feel welcome, heard, respected and safe.

Zero Point Yoga
Ocean Grove, Victoria
info@zeropointyoga.net

If a child is in immediate danger, call 000.