LIVE FM Child Safe Policy
1. Purpose
LIVE FM is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe environment for all children and young people who participate in its programs, workshops, broadcasts, podcasts, video productions, photography, and other media activities.
This policy outlines LIVE FM’s commitment to protecting children from harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation, and inappropriate conduct while participating in LIVE FM activities in Australian schools and associated media programs.
LIVE FM recognises that the safety, wellbeing, and empowerment of children are paramount and that all children have the right to participate in media and creative activities in a safe, respectful, and supportive environment.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
LIVE FM employees, contractors, presenters, volunteers, trainers, and representatives
Participating schools and school staff involved in LIVE FM activities
Students participating in workshops or media productions
Any third parties engaged by LIVE FM
This policy applies to all LIVE FM activities conducted:
In schools
Online
During broadcasts
During workshops and training sessions
Through social media and digital platforms
At public events or external venues
3. Commitment to Child Safety
LIVE FM is committed to:
Promoting the safety and wellbeing of all children
Treating all children with respect and dignity
Providing safe and inclusive learning and media environments
Preventing child abuse, harm, bullying, exploitation, discrimination, and grooming
Listening to and empowering student voices in safe and age-appropriate ways
Acting promptly on any concerns regarding child safety
Complying with all relevant Australian child safety laws and child safe standards
4. Student Participation and Consent
Participation in LIVE FM activities is voluntary.
4.1 Parental/Guardian Consent
LIVE FM requires written parental or legal guardian consent before any student may:
Participate in workshops or training
Be recorded in audio or video content
Be photographed
Participate in radio broadcasts or podcasts
Have their name, image, voice, or creative work published or broadcast
Schools are responsible for obtaining and managing parent or guardian consent in accordance with their school policies and applicable education department requirements.
LIVE FM will not knowingly publish or broadcast student content without confirmation from the participating school that appropriate consent has been obtained.
5. School Control Over Student Content
LIVE FM acknowledges that participating schools maintain control over decisions relating to the publication, sharing, and promotion of student content.
5.1 School Approval
Student-created content may only be:
Published online
Shared through school communication channels
Broadcast publicly on LIVE FM radio or digital platforms
Used in promotional material
with the knowledge and approval of the participating school.
5.2 School Authority Over Distribution
Participating schools retain authority to determine:
Whether student content is shared publicly
Which platforms may be used
Whether content remains internal to the school community
Whether content may be broadcast to the general public
LIVE FM will comply with school directions regarding:
Removal of content
Restrictions on publication
Changes to distribution permissions
Student privacy requirements
6. Safe Conduct Expectations
All LIVE FM staff, volunteers, contractors, and representatives must:
Behave professionally and respectfully toward students
Maintain appropriate boundaries with children and young people
Never engage in inappropriate, discriminatory, abusive, or sexual behaviour
Avoid situations where they are alone with a student where possible
Use school-approved communication channels
Follow all school child safety and supervision requirements
Report any child safety concerns immediately
7. Online Safety and Digital Media
LIVE FM recognises the importance of protecting children in digital and online environments.
LIVE FM will:
Use age-appropriate and respectful content
Take reasonable steps to protect student privacy
Avoid publishing sensitive personal information
Moderate online interactions where applicable
Ensure digital platforms are used responsibly and safely
Student surnames, personal contact details, addresses, or other sensitive identifying information will not be publicly disclosed unless specifically authorised by the school and parent/guardian.
8. Recruitment and Screening
Where required by law or school policy, LIVE FM personnel working with children will:
Hold valid Working With Children Checks (WWCC) or equivalent clearances
Participate in child safety awareness training
Agree to comply with this Child Safe Policy and related procedures
9. Reporting Concerns
Any concerns, complaints, or allegations relating to child safety must be taken seriously and reported immediately.
LIVE FM will:
Respond promptly and appropriately to concerns
Support affected students
Comply with mandatory reporting obligations
Cooperate with schools and relevant authorities
10. Review of Policy
This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure compliance with Australian child safe standards and best practice child protection principles.
11. Policy Statement
LIVE FM believes that children and young people have the right to participate in media, journalism, broadcasting, and creative storytelling in environments that are safe, inclusive, respectful, and empowering.
LIVE FM is committed to working collaboratively with schools, families, and communities to ensure student participation remains child safe at all times.
For more information contact:
Ralph Barba
LIVE FM Executive Producer & Director, Making Media Australia