Children of Staff on Campus
Staff should discuss the requirement and seek approval from the supervisor to bring a child on campus prior to doing so, or as soon as practical after bringing the child on campus if advance approval is not possible. Such requests will be treated sympathetically while at the same time ensuring that a work area is not disrupted and the principles described in the Children of Staff on Campus policy are observed. A supervisor can refuse a staff member's request to bring a child into the workplace because of concerns related to health and safety issues or disruption to the work area.
Approval Form
The 'Children of Staff on Campus' approval form should be completed when bringing a child on campus and maintained on a departmental/school file. This form includes contact details in case of emergency and indicates the staff member's and supervisor's understanding of their obligations under the Children of Staff on Campus policy.
Alternatively, the 'Children of Staff on Campus' approval form may be completed for a block period (eg 12 months) to cover occasional, ad hoc arrangements. The staff member must, however, advise the supervisor of the requirement to bring a child on campus on each occasion.
Responsibility for the Child
The staff member bringing the child on campus must be responsible for direct supervision of the child at all times and has ultimate and sole responsibility for the safety and care of the child. This responsibility cannot be delegated to another person.
Children must not enter any areas where potentially dangerous equipment or hazardous substances are held. For example, children are not permitted in laboratories, workshops, clinical areas, chemical storage areas, construction sites, areas where minor works or maintenance are being carried out, or in any other areas designated as high risk. Children are not permitted in areas that are subject to particular statutory or local regulations (eg areas licensed to sell alcohol or rooms where formal examinations are being held).
If the child were injured while on campus and the University is held to be negligent, any award against the University to the child would be covered by the University's public liability insurance policy.
If the child is responsible for causing wilful damage to University property, or causing an accident, the person responsible for the child will be held liable and may be sued for damages by the University.
Further information in relation to this policy is available from Health and Safety Advisory Services, Human Resources Department.
Children of Students on Campus
As the requirement for a student to bring a child on campus will not be a routine or regular event, the approval sought will generally be verbal, but should be recorded as a diary note by the QUT staff member giving such approval. The staff member from whom approval is sought will consider all the circumstances and may refuse permission, either at first contact or throughout the duration of the child's visit if there are concerns related to health and safety issues or disruption to the work of others. Permission should not be withheld unreasonably. Students who feel they have been treated unfairly when permission is refused may seek redress through existing University mechanisms (eg Equity Coordinator, Student Ombudsman, or grievance resolution processes).
Responsibility for the Child
The student bringing a child on campus is responsible for direct supervision of the child at all times and has the ultimate and sole responsibility for the safety and care of the child. This responsibility cannot be delegated to another person. If the child is reasonably mobile, it is preferable that the child should have some form of identification.
Children are not permitted in laboratories, workshops, clinical areas, chemical storage areas, construction sites, areas where minor works or maintenance are being conducted, or in any other area with significant levels of risk to a child.
If the child is responsible for causing wilful damage to University property, or causes an accident, the student responsible for the child will be held liable and may be sued for damages by the University.
Further information in relation to this policy is available from Health and Safety Advisory Services, Human Resources Department.
Related Pages
- Children on Campus Policy
- Children of Staff on Campus Approval Form